Culture: “Pants on the Ground”: Should “American Idol” ditch age limits?
- We think we understand why ‘American Idol,’ which dedicates itself to discovering new talent, would impose this restriction. But is the show being unfair to prospective contestants, or even shooting itself in the foot?
- New York Times culture writer Dave Itzkoff • Suggesting “American Idol” has hurt itself with the age limit restriction. Beyond General Larry Platt, the 63-year-old “Pants on the Ground” supergenius (who has a killer backstory), it’s worth noting that “Britain’s Got Talent” star Susan Boyle has sold WAY more records than any recent “Idol” winner, and she’s 48. Maybe that’s why Simon Cowell is leaving – “The X Factor” doesn’t have an arbitrary age restriction that lends itself to a cookie-cutter effect. source