American Idol - Committing Emmy Suicide?

The L.A. Times asks the question: Is 'American Idol' committing Emmy suicide?

Why? Because for the nth year in a row, the show has submitted the finale show to the Emmy judges. Every year Idol has lost - what makes them think that they will win this year with the same material?

From L.A. Times:

There's a problem: There are no actual competition elements in the episode, and competing in the reality-competition category with such an episode is like -- well, like auditioning for "American Idol" with a dance routine. The episode amounts to a live concert capped with the opening of an envelope (imagine the Grammy telecast, except with only one category), a process that itself is deflated of suspense because, by the time Emmy voters are watching it, the winner of "American Idol" is already yesterday's news. And even if Lady Gaga brings the house down, that has more to do with promoting her single than with the search for the next singing superstar.

If the strategy had a history of working, repeating the formula would be understandable, but Emmy judges have demonstrated eight years in a row that it's not what they're looking for. For seven years in a row they honored "The Amazing Race," every episode of which is a fast-paced, breakneck contest showcasing exotic locales, top-level production values and lively contestant personalities. This year, they submitted "You Don't Get Paid Unless You Win," in which contestants navigate India. A pair of goth teammates is so overwhelmed during a challenge that one of them jumps out of a boat into the Ganges river.

Last year the "Amazing" winning streak ended when voters honored Bravo's "Top Chef," which this year submitted "Give Me Your Huddled Masses," in which contestants must make dishes based on their cultural heritages. The episode includes heartfelt reunions with family members and the revelation that two of the contestants are distant cousins. "Project Runway" also features a powerful revelation. In its submitted episode, "There's a Pattern Here," contestants design fabrics based on their life stories, and in the process one of them reveals that he is HIV-positive.

Read more at L.A. Times