Ten Things "American Idol" Needs to Change

Fox's "American Idol" is at a television crossroads. Any show on television would be ecstatic to get the same ratings as Idol. But the show has been hard pressed to match the number of viewers it has attracted in past seasons. With the loss of it's signature judge, Simon Cowell, the show was almost in panic mode to fix its image. Quick, who won "American Idol" last season? I rest my case.I had to look it up myself, and I write about the show all of the time.

There is several on going problems with this show. As I have written about for many seasons, there are many frustrating things that the show insists on doing. This show prides itself on the fans picking the ultimate winner. Then why don't they listen to it's fan base, and make the necessary changes? Here is a list of things I think they need to change. Taping has already begun, so maybe this list is in being done in vain. Let's hope not.

1. Okay Ryan Seacrest, we know America seems to love you. The big payday you recently received for hosting is proof of that. But this just in: you are not a judge, so stop injecting us with your thoughts and opinions. The contestants are big boys and girls. If they are criticized, they don't need you to defend them. Simon is gone, so relax and host the show.

2. It's too late for this one, but stop insisting on age limits. If anyone saw 10 year old Jackie Evancho this year, on another show, you know what I'm talking about. But because you insist on these limits, stop telling the younger contestants that they may be too young to go all the way. If that's the case, just pick the "older" ones.

3. Stop, please stop showing us all of the rotten singers we have in this country. While we know that earlier in the show, people tuned in to laugh at all of the rotten acts, we get it. Far too much time is spent showing us these contestants. They sometimes get more air time than some of the good ones.

4. Eliminate "Group Week." Some of the better singers get the heave-ho because the group they are assigned to stinks. These contestants are not auditioning to be in a band, so why do we care how they do in a group environment?

5. Show us all of the good singers. Last season, while I was trying to write about the show on a weekly basis, I didn't know anything about half of the singers put through. It's tough to pick a favorite, if we have never seen them sing.

6. Show us more reasons that we should believe the judges are experts. If you are so proud of the new judges you have signed, tell us why they get to decide. Although I doubt anyone watching has never heard of Jennifer Lopez, or Steven Tyler, why is Randy Jackson an expert again?

6. Speaking of Randy. Congratulations on being the lone surviving original judge. But guess what Randy? We are very tired of two words in your vocabulary. "Dog," and "Pitchy." New season, fresh beginning, new words.

7. No more guest judges. While I know that filming an entire season has scheduling difficulties, too bad. Why should a guest judge help decide who goes forward? They won't be there at the end. Neither will some of the singers they helped send packing.

8. Please, please, please tell the judges that we don't care who they fall in love with as as singer, or "front runner." We watch the show every single week, we'll decide that. We do decide that on the final few weeks, right?

9. Eliminate "Theme" weeks. I don't care if my favorite singer can sing a Michael Jackson song. I do care about a song that they think they can sing well. Girls singing Johnny Cash songs, guys singing Shania Twain songs? Come on Idol, I'm not interested.

10. Mentors on the show are great. Let's have more. I do care about what an accomplished singer has to say to the contestants. The advice they receive in insightful. Ask Lee Dewyze what he learned from them last season. Lee Dewyze? Oh yeah, he was the winner of last years "American Idol."