Popularity poll extends to the guest performer too

The pop critics’ take on “American Idol”:

In the midst of the fluff and the Jennifer Lopez-generated heat that filled this week’s overlong results show, Ryan Seacrest introduced a new “Idol” feature whose bite may be bigger than its bark. The “American Idol Hit List” allows visitors to the program’s website to select, from a list of the week’s Top 50 songs, a special guest performer for the following results episode. This week the ever-popular Akon held the crown; if my vote counts, Robin Thicke will be next.

Is this an idle “Idol” exercise or an opening salvo in a campaign to dominate the few corners of the music industry “Idol” doesn’t already rule? The show’s Top 50 seems to correlate to Billboard’s Hot 100 singles list, which leaves out album-oriented chart-toppers (and indie rock champs) Arcade Fire and Modest Mouse, as well as cult pop stars such as Amy Winehouse. One television spot doesn’t make a career, but the “Idol” stamp will surely solidify the power of singles- (and ring-tone-) oriented stars as the album format falls further into disfavor. How long until that “Hit List” win becomes more important than network TV’s former hot spot for music, “Saturday Night Live”? But hey, there is a spot to write in candidates -- indie music lovers, unite and get LCD Soundsystem in front of Randy, Simon and Paula!