American Idol…the original reality singing competition breeding the best of the best up and coming stars from Kelly Clarkson to Carrie Underwood.  But by season 11 it might be time to join the rest of the once record breaking amount of viewers and throw in the towel.  It’s clear, however, singing reality competitions are not completely out.  After a great season one, NBC’s The Voice is back for a bigger and better season two.  It’s almost as intense as Idol’s Hollywood week or The Voice’s battle rounds…it’s a singing show-down.

The setup of American Idol is fairly simple.  Judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler head from city to city during the audition process, in which they hand out “golden tickets” to exceptional singers.  Those granted the golden ticket head to Hollywood for a week of pure drama.  Once narrowed down to the top 24 the live shows begin.

The Voice’s organization is very different.  Instead of judges, coaches Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Cee Lo Green host blind auditions.   It’s ultimately the contestant’s choice of which team to choose from the coaches that turn their chairs.  Next, the coaches begin mentoring their teams for battle rounds in which teams are drastically cut from 12 to six contestants that will move on to the live shows.

“I’ve been watching American Idol for so long, the Voice is new and exciting,” sophomore Emily Novak said.

It’s true The Voice offers a new look for reality singing shows, but some Central students still prefer the original.

“I like the audition process of American Idol because it’s a lot funnier,” senior Addy Eisenhauer said.

Although no one can deny these audition are funny, the problem is, as the seasons have progressed, the auditions have become unbelievable.  They spend so much time showing these auditions that seem as real as any of the Kardashian shows, that they miss out on showing the auditions of some of the best singers.  The Voice, on the other hand, prides itself from the beginning of it’s auditions to the finale on surveying and finding the best voice.  Even the contestants who do not get any coaches to turn around are still strongly applauded.

“It’s not superficial, and it’s actually based on the voice,” freshman Talia Wolkowitz said.

American Idol, however, opens doors to new singers, singers who have no experience, but are looking for their first chance to shine.  For some Idol fans, they feel it’s only the previously trained singers who can succeed on The Voice.

“The Voice only takes people who have experience, but American Idol gives an opportunity to people who haven’t been able to take off yet,” freshman Jenna Wade said.

American Idol, however, has lacked in the diversity department.  This year, seven of American Idol’s top 12 girls were blonde–it does not help the mounting claims that American Idol chooses the look over the voice.

So is American Idol out and The Voice in?  Can they both succeed?  Will the original persevere?  Let us know what you think by commenting on this story.