Five Ways to Improve American Idol

Although still the number one show in the country, American Idol has taken a lot of flack lately for some of the changes they have made in recent years. For them to remain on top, they cannot alienate longtime fans. Here is what they can do to improve:

(1) Stop looking for personalities and stories, start looking for the best singers. Although there is more to a good performer than his or her voice, Idol started letting through inferior singers who had "personality" and cutting off good vocalists who may have needed a bit more charisma, but would have picked it up with experience. The greatest example would be Sanjaya from Season Six, but this year you have Anoop Desai, who is clearly inferior to ousted Ricky Braddy. Before Season Six, you got the impression that this was a singing competition. That is no longer the case, and that has turned off many fans.

(2) Get rid of the Top 36. The viewers got to see the singers one time before the finals, so we still do not know exactly what kind of artists these are. With the Top 24, we get better singers (hopefully) and by seeing them three times before the finals, we have a better sense of their strengths and weaknesses.

(3) Enough with the twists. The producers telling us that they are doing things differently this year has annoyed even the most loyal fans. The basic formula is what has made the show successful. Once you start adding elements that change the bread and butter of the show, it becomes like every other reality show, most of which are long gone.

(4) Get rid of Kara. Four judges are way too much, especially one who does not bring anything to the table. I can hardly remember a time that she said something that disagreed with the other judges.

(5) Enough pimping. The judges always have favorites, but this year it seems that the pimping is worse than ever. If they like you, you can do no wrong, a la Adam Lambert. If they hate you, you can do no right, a la Jasmine Murray. Makes you wonder if the voting is legit.

Overall, the show is losing some of its luster, and the producers better nip it in the bud before the ratings slip to a point of no return.