It seems that there is an equation for a successful reality competition show. There needs to be a lot of talented, likable contestants, a few sob stories, add in an equal measure of really strange individuals and, most importantly, a few judges with a whole lot of chemistry. Mess with that system, and it’s a recipe for failure.
From The Voice to Project Runway we all have a favorite reality competition show. A major factor in each of these shows’ successes are the judges. They are the constant variable amidst all the contestants that come and go. They are the people that viewers grow to love or love to hate. What could have made American Idol a hit other than the brutal honesty of Simon Cowell’s critical comments?
So when the judges on a show like this change, there’s often a drop in viewers. It’s no wonder why. We, as the audience, keep coming back to see the relationships between the judges each week. They bring a new life to the show and seeing their reactions is as good, if not better, than the actual performances of the contestants.
Remember the old American Idol? The show is just not really the same without Paula, Randy, and Simon, the original trio of judges. As each judge left, the show took a hard hit and others rose up to take its place.
More recently, the previous season of The Voice lost viewers as Usher and Shakira stepped in to judge in place of Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green. Suddenly the chemistry the original group possessed was zapped away and many fans of the show were not impressed. But this season marked the return of both Aguilera and Green to The Voice’s spinning chairs. They joined Adam Levine and Blake Shelton to reunite the old quartet again.
It’s the judges that really make the show happen. Change that, and the audience might just change the channel.