Can Steven Tyler Save American Idol?

Steven Tyler is on American Idol, as explained at Daily Contributor. The 62-year-old rocker of Aerosmith will sit next to Randy Jackson as a host for the 10th season of the show. A third host has not been announced. Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres are gone, and Kara DioGuardi is thought to be fired.

Steven Tyler is with American Idol now, but he's no Simon Cowell

Some have already criticized the choice of Steven Tyler. Says Dominic Patten of The Wrap, " He's too damn old. He's too damn dull." Although Tyler is an actual musician, unlike Ellen DeGeneres, Patten feels that someone like a young and vibrant Justin Timberlake would have been a better choice.

Having a musical background is a big bonus with Idol, but does age really have anything to do with it? Simon Cowell is 50. Randy Jackson is even older at 54. Is it the personality of a host that is most important?

When Steven Tyler is on American Idol, you won't get a Simon Cowell. Simon Cowell had that no-nonsense approach, coupled with a British accent. Team that with the sweet and sympathetic Paula Abdul and the neutral Randy Jackson and you had a winning combination that helped American Idol soar for several years.

Can Steven Tyler on American Idol create his own winning brand?

You can't take American Idol out of season 10 and into season 11 without bringing the viewers back. As shown at Billboard, there has been a steady decline in American Idol viewers since season 5. It may not matter that Tyler is old, but he can't be dull. He won't be able to prance across the Idol stage, with his big lips, tight pants and wild scarfs, and perform. He has to sit behind a table and perform. Can he do it? Can he bring a new and refreshing brand to American Idol?

Idol is likely to return to a three person format, which means they are still settling on a third judge if Kara DioGuardi is fired. It's important that the third judge blends in well with Jackson and Tyler to help create a new exciting combination that will entice viewers.

Sources:

Dominic Patten, Why Steven Tyler Would Suck as an 'Idol' Judge, The Wrap

Jolie du Pre, Should Paula Abdul Return to 'American Idol'?, Associated Content

Monica Herrera, Can "American Idol' be saved?, Billboard

Aerosmith Band Member Says Steven Tyler Gets 'American Idol' Job, Daily Contributor