At Long Last, American Senior Idol

LOS ANGELES, CA - 3/30/05 (AP) - A spokesman for Fox Entertainment officially announced today the network’s decision to launch a senior version of American Idol. Currently, the maximum age for the popular talent show is twenty-eight. Ed Meeker, Senior Vice President of Programming at Fox, said the move was due in large part to the considerable interest generated last year when an internet website posted a fictitious news article announcing plans for a senior version of the contest, which culminates in an exclusive recording contract for one lucky singer.

Mr. Meeker, who was quoted in the original article, remembers that his first reaction was mixed. “I was not amused. I suppose it was meant as a joke, but it wasn’t funny, and it misled a lot of people, especially the elderly, and also I thought it was amusing.” Though fictitious, Mr. Meeker now realizes that the article was a sort of blessing in disguise. “We really had no idea that so many senior citizens had such a strong desire to see a senior version of the show – it was a real shocker.”

Readers began sending comments and letters to the website’s publisher, John Clement, who forwarded them on to Fox via telepathy. Soon, the website’s staff concluded that more articles about a senior version of American Idol had the potential to raise its readership, and that was when Fox decided to give the idea serious consideration.

Auditions are scheduled to be held towards the end of the year. Seniors who wish to audition for the show must be between the ages of twenty-eight and thirty-five.

Comments

[Gregory]

this is an interesting concept. I would be interested in trying out. I sound like a 26 year old but unfortunately I am 45 yrs old.

[Jon Manners]

What! A 35 year old isn't a senior! Hell, I'm 56 and I can't even get into a movie theatre as a senior! But I tell you what, I'd like to be on American Idol as a senior. How about a REAL senior American Idol? Now that'd be something. People with some grit and experience. ...Check my website -http://www.jonmanners.com -JON

[Camryn]

I think you shoould raise the age limit to 45 years old

I can tell you right now if you only raise the age limit only 7 years the Talet will be less and the show will be less intresting to senior audienceses. Why? Well coming from a seniors perspective 35 is still young. It would be more appropriate to raise the age limit up 10 years.From 35 to 45.please consider What i have said and take this to heart and I promise your ratings will sky rocket.

please Read

[Judy]

Sheeze, it's amazing how useless we become after the age of 40 in this country. It's a shame, the best talent comes with maturity. I'm betting that all of those baby boomers out there would be willig to support a talent search for those of us 30 and up! Here hoping that American Idol gets some competition with another show who is willing to overlook a few years and open this competition up to everyone. A good name for a show like this would be "One More Chance" or something like that!