The People Behind ‘American Idol’ Planning Show Makeover, Elvis Projects

The company behind American Idol is planning a revamp for the show due to its recent ratings drop and is in the works to develop other projects, one of them involving the late rock n’ roll legend Elvis Presley.

The company, Core Media Group (former name CKx), is planning a huge upgrade to the Graceland museum, along with the idea to create a drama series based on the musician’s early life. The firm has also met up with Sony to talk about possibly making a duets album, which would match contemporary singers with Presley’s voice. If that happens, their thoughts are along the lines of a tour following, and I’m sure you can guess what kind of tour [hint: Tupac]. Yes, a hologram tour with Elvis. We warned you guys this hologram thing would get even more nuts!

As for Idol, with a 30% ratings decline in its 11th season, along with stiff rivalry from other singing competition shows, Core realizes the show needs a big makeover, and they promise one. The company’s president Marc Graboff told the New York Times, “Idol is still the gold standard. It’s very viable, but it definitely needs to be refreshed and it will be.”

Graboff has revealed that they are planning to reunite with Idol’s original creator Simon Fuller to help them in making changes, including a redesign to the show’s voting system. Graboff (and the whole world) can see there has been a common theme with the last five season’s winners. As he puts it, “They’re being called W.G.W.G.’s – white guys with guitars.”

The judging panel might see a change as well, but that will have to be determined by Fox, as they broadcast Idol. Graboff says, “We hope it will stay as big a revenue stream as it has been, but no matter how big the stream is, my job is to diversify us away from it as much as possible.”

I’ve pretty much been over Idol the last couple seasons, so this is good news. Not sure if it’ll entice me to watch it religiously again, but I’d give it a shot.

What do you all think? Do you think the show could come back with some changes made or is it past its prime? Take the survey below and tell us!