"American Idol" Needs a New Boss

"American Idol" needs a new boss. You only have to watch one segment, between commercial breaks to recognize that the old "American Idol" show has gone into the vault. The current show is lacking some essential elements. For the show to continue its successful run will take more than quirky new contestants, lots of raw talent and visits from established stars. What is missing from American Idol is what Simon Cowell brought in abundance to the show. .

I never thought I would say those words. Simon Cowell through every effort of his own had become one America's favorite celebrities to hate. Outspoken, brash, unkind sometimes borderline ( no he usually stepped over the border) rude, Simon, we now discover,really and truly added something to the show. Now that Simon has moved on leaving Randy Jackson , Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler to carry on, it won't take audiences long to bemoan what is obviously missing from the judging table and from the show.

When Simon left he effectively removed the one non-gushing member of the panel. So often in their efforts to be supportive and to indicate their approval of basic talent, Randy and Paula seemed to take turns in going over the top, engaging in a little idol worship before the "American Idol" was actually chosen. In years past, Simon could be counted on to keep the lid on the sugar. He grudgingly gave approval and only rarely noted a truly outstanding performance. Even though what he said to the less talented was sometimes just outright annoying and occasionally even counter-productive, Simon used his constant insults to set the stage for those few times when he chose to shine the spotlight on talents that he felt deserved recognition. In short if Simon gave someone a good review, it wasn't just lame accolades that would later be repeated, sometime ad nauseum to other mediocre performers. Kudos from Simon sounded and likely also felt like the real deal..

Simon's departure meant that "American Idol" took the direction of becoming more of a variety show and less of a real talent search leading to a real professional career. Simon could be counted on to ring the curtain down on lots of would be talent. Even the some of the best contestants heard real criticism of one or more aspects of their on air auditions: style, song selection, tempo, voice, use of unique talent, connection to audience. Any feature that might add to or subtract from overall performance were fair game for Simon's judgment.. While the other judges tended to see contestants as people, Simon was able to look at them as potential show business people, two very different viewpoints. With Simon setting the tone "American Idol" really did seem like a stepping stone into the music and entertainment business rather than what it now may become, a nice little show with pleasant exchanges between established stars and those who are trying to make their way up.

Simon Cowell, if you could leave some of his over the top cracks aside, actually gave performers a real sense of the toughness of the profession to which they aspired. He made them test not just their talent but their endurance against an onslaught of criticism. Nice, he seemed to say, really isn't how you will be treated in showbiz so get used to it.

In terms of the flow of the show, Simon's absence is perhaps most noticeable. The strength of his personality has not been adequately replaced. Viewers will find themselves looking and listening for someone to take the rudder and direct the judges panel towards a decision, some decision, any decision. Even Simon's combativeness and at time surliness helped to accomplish this purpose. Other judges were so appalled by Simon's position or his manner that they sometimes took a stronger position than they might have chosen if left to their own devices.. Simon forced the issue and in doing so he lead the group. To his credit he seldom took over the group he merely nudged it along. When the show started to drag, one could count on Simon to everyone back on task.

Currently there is no judge on Idol who has the personality or the intention to act the role of Simon. Truth be told no one has to be another Simon. The show can function with everyone being civil. But someone does need to step up and fill the leadership role, in their own style. "American Idol" needs a new boss.