Clay Aiken is not impressed. American Idol launched its final season on Wednesday, January 6, and the singing competition’s season 2 runner-up slammed this year's premiere in a series of vitriolic tweets.
The 37-year-old singer tweeted that he hadn't watched the show in 10 years but that the current iteration paled in comparison to what he was familiar with from previous seasons. In 2003, Aiken landed in second place behind Ruben Studdard in the long-running Fox series.
Watching @americanidol for the first time in a decade. You never know what you've got til it's gone. #idolpremiere
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) January 7, 2016
Well… now I know why the ratings are down. ?
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) January 7, 2016
Oh good Lord… those boring ass responses from the judges!? Where is Simon when you need him!? That guy need a hook to pull him off stage.
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) January 7, 2016
It's VERY clear now that @SimonCowell was the reason @AmericanIdol was a hit. I've watched root canals more entertaining than these judges.
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) January 7, 2016
Leave it to the contestants from #Raleigh NC to totally make tonight's show worth watching!!
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) January 7, 2016
Now that #Raleigh has shown out and these judges have put me to sleep! I'm changing over to watch my girl @tyrabanks on @black_ishabc
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) January 7, 2016
After saying that he was changing the channel because the show had "put [him] to sleep," he defended his diatribe by saying he was simply holding the series to a high standard.
When your favorite team that you've cheered for for years happens to play a shitty game, you're absolutely allowed to be upset about it.
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) January 7, 2016
We're all more critical of the things we care about most.
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) January 7, 2016
Idol has gone through numerous changes at the judges' table during its 15-season run. When Aiken competed, the panel consisted of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. The current judges are Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. Ryan Seacrest has hosted the show every season.
Tell Us: Did Clay Aiken's tweets go too far, or does he make a good point?
American Idol airs on Fox Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST.
