I don't watch American Idol or Dancing With the Stars. I do know how they work, though: Judges critique and the public votes.
The results — millions of votes — are complied almost instantly (though announced later, so the network can get you to view again). 
Casting ballots for president can be tallied quite quickly too. So why do we still use the electoral college system?
Let's use the REAL numbers of votes cast for president, instead of the ones derived from an outdated electoral college system. Becoming president can mean "winning" in those states with the most electoral college votes. It may not translate into the most voter votes.
It's time we embraced the technology we have and use it as voters' true voice. The Founding Fathers did what they had to at the time when they created the electoral college. Little did they know how far and fast the voting system would grow. I think they'd be impressed and agree to a switch.