American Idol was a groundbreaking reality show, a singing competition show that hands out golden tickets to Hollywood like Willy Wonka. Fox's show was an instant success, but the high notes that Idol once hit now seem like distant echoes, given its downward trajectory over the last decade.

Thanks to changes at the judges' table, show alterations, and increased competition — particularly from NBC's The Voice — Idol has lost a hold on what made it so addictive. And 13 seasons later, one has to wonder how much longer the show can go on, particularly in light of these developments: