With American Idol on the Decline, Will X-Factor Step Up to the Plate?

For the past couple of seasons, American Idol has been losing viewers. Despite some minor changes in the show this season which were designed to draw in and retain more viewers, American Idol seems to have worn its welcome and lost some its luster. Should the show's producers continue to ride a dead horse into the ground, or should they call it quits while they can still retain some level of dignity? It seems to me that at this point, it might be time for a change, something they've already begun to slowly implant in the American psyche.

American Idol, as we all know is a British import, much like many of our other beloved game shows and reality programs in recent years. Big Brother, Weakest Link, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, and countless other TV programs who've enjoyed success in the UK have jumped the pond and landed on American screens to reach even higher levels of success.

So how did the original UK "Pop Idol" fare? It lasted two seasons, beginning in 2001/2002 and ending in 2003. American Idol should have taken Pop Idol's cue and called it quits earlier, when they could actually produce some real pop stars. However, American Idol is now into its seventh season.

After Pop Idol went away in the UK, it was quickly replaced by another show - X-Factor. X-Factor there has already had four regular seasons, as well as a special edition "Battle of the Stars". So why has X-Factor done much better than Pop Idol? It sounds a heck of a lot more interesting for one!

X-Factor is based on the same premise of Pop Idol (and American Idol), which is to find the best singing and stage talent and reward them with a recording contract. What makes the show different, however, is that it is divided up in to different categories based on age, and solo or group efforts. another fun twist is that the contestants all stay together in the "X-Factor" house, and the judges all room together in the "Judges house". Now if that doesn't add extra juicy drama that makes you want to tune in, I don't know what does!

So is America ready for X-Factor? I think so. American Idol just doesn't have the same appeal as it once did. People used to talk about it at work, now the only people that talk about it are those without cable stuck watching network television. It's time to switch things up, and step up the drama. In other words, it's time for X-Factor to step up, and time for American Idol to bow out gracefully.

Proof that X-Factor producers are getting America used to and introduced to the idea of X-Factor is the emergence of Leona Lewis on to the US music scene and charts. It's not a mere coincidence that Lewis, winner of X-Factor in the UK, is getting major radio airplay in the States now, or that Simon Cowell recently made an appearance on Oprah's show and brought along Leona Lewis with him to play her hit single "Bleeding Love.

At this point, it seems like they are making quiet moves to bring yet another UK original stateside. My prediction is, it won't be long before X-Factor becomes the hottest reality television show in the US.