Don't be 'Lost' about replacing Paul Abdul on 'American Idol'

I know it's hard to believe, "Lost" fans, but there are other shows on television. Some of them are even kinda really popular. Like "American Idol." Personally, I'm more fond of the word "Gladiators" than "Idol" after "American." But even those that don't watch the show felt the pop culture shockwave of Paula Abdul leaving "Idol" last night via Twitter.

Her tweets her round the world had many scrambling to cover the fallout, assess the damage, and make far too many MC Skat Kat references. What would the show do? Was this all a marketing plot? And most importantly, who would replace her on the show?

Check out Zap2it's suggestions for Paul Abdul's replacement

And while many are looking for her replacement in Hollywood, I think they are looking in the wrong place. They need to think outside the box. Way outside the box. They need to take a bearing of 305, where an Island full of colorful characters could undoubtedly bring something new to the "Idol" table. There are more than a few "Lost" characters that could slip into Paula's chair. To wit...

Hugo Reyes. In Randy Jackson, you have a guy that loves to say "dawg." In Hurley, you have a guy that loves to say "dude." Works for me.

Kate Austen. She knows all about bringing the house down, albeit via blowing it up with her father inside. Then again, she might have an annoying habit of shouting "I'm coming with you," as the contestants took the stage.

Ben Linus. He's a cold-hearted snake. Look into his eyes.

Charlie Pace. I think the over/under on "number of Drievshaft references before Simon clocked him" would be 42.

Richard Alpert. I'd love to see his take on "Oldies" week. Somehow I don't think the contestants singing Sinatra would quite cover it.

Rose Nadler. Actually, this would work. Completely. I might even watch the show if this happened. I think Rose just broke my sarcasm machine. Oh noes!

Pierre Chang. "Good evening, and welcome to Week 8, or, 'Disco Week'. What you will witness is an experiment in progress, as our contestants seek to travel through time itself to bring back the music made popular right around the time of The Incident. Please give them a hand. I would, but I'm down to one at the moment."

James Ford. Forget Simon's tired schtick: we need Sawyer's one-man nickname machine picking off wannabes left and right, especially during the audition phase of the show. Sawyer+William Hung=MAJOR WIN.

Daniel Faraday. The man's clearly a music lover, having used the record analogy to explain the time jumps post-donkey wheel. Plus, he's probably have an interesting scientific take on "Vibeology."

Jack Shephard. But only if we get bearded, pilled-up Jack. Because there has to be at least one rambling, drug-addled judge for it to truly be "Idol."

Ilana. "Do you know what lies in the shadow of the statue? You do? See you in Hollywood!"

The smoker monster. Just for sweeps, though. And only to keep Seacrest in line.

OK, those are my suggestions: what are yours?

Ryan invites you to join the hundreds already in Zap2It's Guide to Lost Facebook group.

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