If you just look at the numbers, FOX's American Idol remains TV's most watched show by a wide margin, but if you read the media reports, the show is sinking like the Titanic. So it's no wonder that FOX is contemplating making a few changes to the popular format.

Yes, there are a couple mighty logical explanations for the unquestionable ratings plunge Idol has seen in recent weeks.

For starters:

1)Just about every show on TV is down this spring, either because of post-strike viewer lag or... well... something more nefarious (I say the Langoliers, but you can pick your mysterious-force-of-choice). American Idol is down, but so are CSI and Grey's Anatomy.

2)For the second consecutive year, the Top Five is low on singers Barney Stinson might simply categorize as "awesome." I'm not going to insult the individual contestants -- I do enough of that in my weekly recaps -- but this season was promoted as the best ever, but this isn't our finest Top Five ever. Where's the pizzazz?

3)Things fall apart. The center cannot hold. Reality shows in their seventh incarnation experience viewer fatigue. That's not surprising.

There's nothing FOX can do about overall television viewership. There's little FOX can do about the Top 24 selected by the judges each season or the voting of the American People. But there's plenty that the network and producers can do to reverse fatigue, or at least to try to reinvent the American Idol wheel.

An online market research survey obtained by Broadcasting & Cable gives some indication of the way future decisions may be made.

Most of the questions are pretty straight-forward. Next to pictures of the three judges, Ryan Seacrest and the contestants (as a collective), people are asked to state how important each individual is to the overall enjoyment of the show. Opinions are solicited regarding specific details like the banter between Ryan and the judges, the gender balance of the season's talent and Simon Cowell's negative comments among other issues.

Things get really specific toward the end, though, with queries about the pre-Top 24 portion of the show and how it unfolds. Are there too many audition episodes? Not enough audition episodes? Too many time spent on the Hollywood Week? Not enough?

One question asks, "Suppose the first few weeks of American Idol started in Hollywood with flashbacks of the auditions, would that increase or decrease your enjoyment of American Idol?"

As Martin Landau's Entourage character might ask, is that something you might be interested in?

All of that is just a long and convoluted way for me to set up today's prompt question...

What would you like to see American Idol change for its eighth season? The judges? The theme nights? The host? The structure and format?

Sound off!!!

Comments

Randy and Paula need to go (Paula especially; I forward through all her critiques) and they need to find judges who can say constructive critiques, but they're under contract so... The pre-performance clips on SYTYCD show competitors struggle in rehearsal; why can't we see that on Idol rather than contestants and stars blathering on about the most inane drivel.

John | Apr 29, 2008 10:58:32 AM | #

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Paula has to GO. I like Ryan but believe all the "waiting time" for announcements is annyoing. The results portion can be updated...ok to talk to viewers but not in the current format (ryan picks calls...). I like to first weeks that lead to hollywood but why all the drama. Just pick and move on. Make it FASTER, instead of all the hype ect. I'd like to hear more from the families and don't think it's fair that those who have "connections" make it while others who are "nobodies" are overlooked.

anne | Apr 29, 2008 11:09:38 AM | #

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First, I'd like to see the theme song changed. It's a lame theme that barely qualifies as a song. I'd like to see the animation changed, too. Next, I'm with Anne regarding the pregnant pauses. All of the "reality" shows seem to employ it these days, and it just annoys the crap out of me. I'm sure it's meant to heighten the suspense, but it has never worked for me. It just makes me feel like changing the channel.

Brad | Apr 29, 2008 11:38:41 AM | #

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One vote per phone number would be good. This way it will eliminate the "Vote For The Worst" people as well as the crazy teenies voting for the cutest guy a thousand times.

The theme nights need to be opened up a little bit. Maybe a couple of them can be on certain singer/songwriters but other nights should be genre's. And real genre's, none of this David Cook style stuff where you take a standard song and fit it into another genre. While this may be unfair to certain contestants who aren't versatile, it will really show the talent of those who are.

That's all I can think of right now.

Blue Sean | Apr 29, 2008 2:15:56 PM | #

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I think that the Audition rounds go one way too long, and I kind of like the idea of having flashbacks during Hollywood Week to show how they got there. Maybe show one night of the bad and embarrassing auditions? That would be enough for me. More Hollywood week, focus on the singing, not the drama.

I agree about having more background for each contestant before we get to voting, to even out the playing field a little.

I would like to see Paula either gone or somehow made more coherent. When she is understandable, she is a good addition to the show. Then, there are moments like tonight, when she totally goes off and you have no idea where she came from.

Randy is not very helpful. He always says the same things and trips over the names he drops.

Simon is essential.

The banter could be toned down A LOT. Please.

And I kind of liked the theme nights like they had in the first season, with different decades each week. It was cool. I loved Big Band Week. I still have "Stuff Like That There," with Kelly Clarkson on my iPod.

The results show could be drastically reduced. And the dramatic pauses just seem to get ridiculous.

I would like to see some changes, but nothing too drastic. I really do love the show.

Astrid | Apr 29, 2008 6:35:07 PM | #

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I'm sure the producers love having the nights devoted to one singer or composer, but I think it would be better to have each theme be by music genre instead. Top 40 night, country music night, Broadway night...

The call-in segment has got to go. It's terrible and just a waste of time. I would prefer that there would be more Hollywood weeks as opposed to audition weeks. I would rather hear people that can really sing.

cm | Apr 29, 2008 9:34:50 PM | #

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I really want only 2 major additions or changes made to AI and that is a catchy opening theme song (why keep an opening theme music that sounds weird?) and also that they make AI more of a reality show with lots of behind the scenes activities and interactions between the top 24 or top 12 and the regular team of the show, much like in America's Next Top Model.

cris | Apr 29, 2008 10:35:03 PM | #

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Less of the the bad auditions. I want to hear the ones that can sing. Paula needs to go, I mute her whenever possible since she makes no sense anyway. The only judge needed is Simon. He usually speaks the truth, on occasion, I think he badgers the ones he does not like more than he needs to. Just because he does'nt like them does not mean they cannot sing. The result show should only take a half hour at the most. Someone is going home, just tell them and get it over with.

Nola | Apr 30, 2008 1:00:17 AM | #

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I agree with many others that the result show should only be one half hour and also that the trainwrecks (since some people like that) from open auditions should be limited to one show tops with Hollywood week getting more play than the open auditions. In general, Simon's critiques are the only ones worth hearing but another judge is needed who criticizes consructively like ALW did-he gave useful advice that most of the contestants could benefit from and did not just slobber over the favorites. Simon is too wrapped up in the business part-we need a young Pop idol-you do not work. But some balance is needed just not "You look great" or "That was just okay Dawg." If they continue to search for a young Pop Idol and not necessarily the best singer but using older songs for the contest (Copyright issues?), the ages should be from 18 to about 22 or 23 and no older. While another 16 year old might do better, Archeleta just seems too immature even for a Pop Idol singing those older songs.

ls | Apr 30, 2008 5:32:56 AM | #

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The Judges need to pick the bottom three and then let the voters choose which should go, this way there aren't great contestants sent home early just because the teen girls think the cute kid who can only sing ballads is cute.

Daniel | Apr 30, 2008 8:33:06 AM | #

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They've milked the pregnant pauses and bloated episodes for far too long. The pseudo-gay (or is it?) banter is just stupid.

Greg | Apr 30, 2008 9:43:18 AM | #

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Get rid of the Mosh pit. Looking through all those arms is like looking through a sea of snakes. Get rid of the inane banter between the Judges as well as Ryan. Kill some of the commercials won't happen. Actually get judges that really critique the singers or extend their vocabulary beyond say "Check it out, mann", "That's the bomb", " You are such a gifted artist" to every contestant. Bring the backup band together. Get rid of mentors who don't really mentor and are just their to promote their next upcoming album. Find mentors younger then their grandfathers

June | Apr 30, 2008 10:09:52 AM | #

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Definitely keep Ryan and Simon, Paula and Randy are of not much use in regards to the program - but are probably nice people. No entertainment value there though! Less phone in voting and more input from judges - the phone in voters are what is turning it into a popularity contest. Terrible singers this year! If they don't make some major changes, viewers will disappear in a hurry. To keep it a true singing competition and not just another cheesy reality show, changes definitely need to be made. Season Seven Sucks!

editor | Apr 30, 2008 11:28:02 AM | #

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KEEP RYAN and Simon. Get rid of Randy and Paula(sorry Paula, but after last night you have to go.) Get rid of the audition rounds. Agree with the flash back but only for those who have made it through. Less phone in voting, limit it to the number of contestents on that night. Limit text messaging to one text. Stop making the phone company richer, they won't lower their prices for us. When we do call in, stop promoting your shows. Use the contestents voices to thank us for the vote. Do away with the call in segment. Results night should be only a half-hour show. For sure, get rid of the mosh pit, it is so distracting. Let Simon be the only one who chooses the contestents. Bet we would have better seasons.

Once again KEEP RYAN!

Jen | Apr 30, 2008 12:24:06 PM | #

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Many of the above suggestions are valid, but here's the 2 I would suggest: 1. Get rid of Paula! Bless her heart, but she is incoherent, rarely says anything truly constructive, and worst of all, her extended babbling cuts into Simon's alotted critique time. Sometimes, he openly complains about this, and I have to agree with him. (as an aside, I thought about the idea of getting rid of Seacrest, too, because he's so smug and annoying, but he is also responsible for a lot of the "vibe" of the show). 2. And this is the most important one - there needs to be some sort of "judges override" to keep the best singers from being kicked off, leaving the lesser singers in the contest. Does anyone dispute that Daughtry should have been in the final 2 years ago, instead of that mediocre Taylor Hicks? Or that Melinda Doolittle could sing circles around both Blake and Jordin last season? Let's remember, this is a SINGING contest, but the current voting system (with no judges override) leaves us with a popularity contest that has little to do with actual singing ability. The judges should be able to keep the very best singers in the contest, even if they lost the popular vote. Nobody cares about the last two "winners" - we haven't had a legitimate winner since Carrie Underwood. This popularity contest mentality takes away from the legitimacy of the show itself. The only reason I watched last years final was for the pure entertainment/spectacle aspect of it - the best actual singers were long gone. I don't have a specific plan for how this "judges override" should work - let the show's producers figure it out! But it is certainly needed if the real talent is to make it to the final.

Kirk | Apr 30, 2008 2:01:39 PM | #

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Kirk, you are absolutely and totally right on!

Ann Peters | Apr 30, 2008 5:52:36 PM | #

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Kirk, you are absolutely and totally right on!

Ann Peters | Apr 30, 2008 5:52:40 PM | #

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Get rid of Paula, Ryan and all of the teens that are in the front screaming for the male singers.
Figure out a way that the singers are chosen for their talent rather than for popularity. I almost quit watching the show after Taylor Hicks won and later when Melinda Doolittle lost to Blake and Jordin. I tried once again but I quit after Michael Johns was voted off. Simon may sometimes be brutally honest but he seems to help the singers prepare and improve.

Patty | Apr 30, 2008 6:18:33 PM | #

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I don't think Chris Daughtry should have made it past the Top 12. Different opinions. And Jordin is making a name for herself. She could/should be as popular as Carrie, IMO.

Bryan | Apr 30, 2008 10:01:40 PM | #

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Replace Paula with Britney Spears or Jessica Simpson. We need a dumb punching bag for Simon but it's time for a new one.

I think another good idea would be on Results show instead all the inane filler they should have the taped reality show stuff. The contestants interacting with each other. Maybe push the competition aspect a bit by having other challenges that give the contestants immunity from voting like Rock the Cradle and Survivor.

Oh and how about a theme where the contestants have to write their own song. I was surprised to hear that Carly is a song writer. So are Castro, Cooke and brooke.

If you can't write a song you don't deserve to be there.

Oh and no more mosh pit, no more individual artist theme nights

Jason S. | May 1, 2008 12:15:26 PM | #

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Cut the banter and the interrupting of Simon. Cut back or eliminate the results show. Keep the early selection shows & do more on the Hollywood selection process. Have a mix of genre and artist nights but make the singers sing in the genre/artist's style to show their versatility. Let the judges actually share in the vote, as in Dancing with the Stars.

Howard | May 1, 2008 7:18:22 PM | #

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How about this... Let all 12 contestants stay on the show through six weeks. After six weeks, the six contestants with the least amount of total votes would be eliminated. Afterwards, the remaining six contestants start fresh with new vote totals for two weeks, after which two more contestants are sent home. Another two weeks, and two more are sent home. Then, the final two duke it out. I think this system allows voters to get to know the contestants for a longer period of time before any are booted off, and also allows a singer to rebound after a poor perfomance.

John D | May 6, 2008 7:07:30 AM | #

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why do you need a 2 hour show 4 a result that would take 5 seconds to say? i like the questions, but i think that the often random singers should go, and i like how they used 2 do the top and bottom group and have the remaining ppl choose where they want to go

arka | May 6, 2008 3:21:40 PM | #

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The change I'd most like to see is for people to vote for the person they want to eliminate and then the person with the most votes goes home. I've been saying that ever since I started watching it, but I doubt that would ever happen because there would be less votes and the produces don't want that. They want to say a huge number of people voted and they don't care if the winner is really the best singer of the season or not.

Ok, now onto some other ideas:

Paula needs to go. Maybe they can replace her with Andrew Lloyd Webber. He was great with his feedback and constructive criticism.

As for auditions, I don't want to see any of the bad singers. They should only be showing us the good ones. That should cut the number of auditions shows down by at least half...

...And enable them to add more shows of Hollywood Week. I would like to see all of the performances of Hollywood Week. I do want to say that I am so glad they got rid of the group performances. I guess they finally realized that since there's an individual winner at the end, there was no need for group performances. It took them long enough.

And finally, we don't need an equal number of males and females in the top 24. We just need the best 24 (as the judges see it, obviously).

S. L. | May 8, 2008 10:35:15 AM | #

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Having read everyone else's comments, I have to agree that they need to cut down the results show to half an hour, change the themes somehow - decades, genres, etc. sound good (absolutely no individual singers/groups (like Beatles, Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond, Mariah Carey (which was the worst thing I have ever seen them do, I mean they constantly tell the contestants not to choose songs by Mariah, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, etc. and then they have a Mariah theme, how stupid is that?))), and change the voting system somehow (since I can't see them going for "vote for the person you want eliminated" as I suggested, I hope they go with one of the many other suggestions here.

S. L. | May 8, 2008 11:34:11 AM | #

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- | May 10, 2008 5:42:52 PM | #

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