Would Sinatra Have Done American Idol?

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The American music industry has undergone tremendous changes in the past decade, but one thing has remained consistent: the fastest, if not easiest way to national stardom is through American Idol. The show, known for its hilarious auditions, interactive viewership, and notorious judges, has launched the career of several high-grossing stars from Kelly Clarkson to Carrie Underwood to Adam Lambert. Pondering the state of American celebrity, Time television and media columnist James Poniewozik wonders if The Voice of the past might do battle against the voices of today:


This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire.