They killed a coherent plotline instead.

From what I've read, the devolution (the first season had terrible FX, but was life-or-death serious) had to do with ratings and fan mail.

Gogol has "lost" Oren, their long-time drummer, and one of their original backup singer/dancers. No explanations were ever given for these departures, which always made me suspicious. All of a sudden, there's just a new guy (or someone missing) onstage. WTF?