Simon Cowell has a message for "American Idol" fans: "I'm in charge."

Well, almost.

"With Nigel stepping down I think I will get more involved [behind the scenes]," Cowell told reporters yesterday.

Earlier this month "Idol" boss Nigel Lythgoe said he was leaving the show to focus on his other talent competition, "So You Think You Can Dance," and a yet to be announced project.

RELATED: Paula Goes Under the Knife

"I don't think we would have had the success we initially had without Nigel, but I think that it feels like it's going to be a different show this year and we'll have to see if that's a negative or an advantage," he said.

Cowell admitted that he became bored with "Idol" last year and wants to make some changes to the middle stages of the show and even has ideas on how to improve the finale.

"I felt I had known the contestants for years," by the middle of last season, Cowell said. "And the other problem was that they were so media savvy, these contestants, that they never really showed us their true personalities - they were like robots.

"I didn't know much more about them at the end than I did in the beginning," he said. "I think that it ['Idol'] could be more interesting and controversial than it was last year - you're definitely going to see a change and I think it will be an improvement."

Cowell declined to provide details, but added that he plans to incorporate an element into the show that will cause the contestants to experience, "more jeopardy."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08222008/tv/simon__im_in_charge_125637.htm

The only way AI can get better is if they get rid of Paula and cut down on those Clown Acts during the audition.

The only way AI can get better is if they get rid of Paula and cut down on those Clown Acts during the audition.


Well, I'll agree about Paula Abdul, but I love watching the "Clown Acts" during the audition period. Especially the ones who really do think they can sing. LOL

Well, I'll agree about Paula Abdul, but I love watching the "Clown Acts" during the audition period. Especially the ones who really do think they can sing. LOL

Same here!!! I love the circus freakshow that has become the AI auditions!
I am glad they're planning to change it up a little. Last year with the addition of contestants being able to play instruments was a good change...but I agree, it needs something else to give it a bit of that oomph...lol.

I wish they'd replace Paula. She really is a joke. The contestants deserve to be judged by someone who can act like a professiional and give constructive criticism.

yeah, the auditions are the best part of the show. I'll agree with you guys that Paula can get on my nerves, but I really don't think the show would be the same without her.

I wonder if ratings are going to slide anymore than they did last season. Last season did have some low points - a few episodes even reached 20 million - that hasn't been seen since the first season. My bet is ratings will continue to decrease until the show's end. A person can only take so much of one show, and Idol is going into its 8th season.

yeah, the auditions are the best part of the show. I'll agree with you guys that Paula can get on my nerves, but I really don't think the show would be the same without her.

I wonder if ratings are going to slide anymore than they did last season. Last season did have some low points - a few episodes even reached 20 million - that hasn't been seen since the first season. My bet is ratings will continue to decrease until the show's end. A person can only take so much of one show, and Idol is going into its 8th season.


Exactly, every show's ratings go down. Especially, if it is the same format over and over again.

Paula SUGARCOAT-lol

AI is getting old. it's just not as fun to watch as it used to be, and no amount of changes are going to fix that. it's just losing it's charm i guess. it happens. it's been 7 years after all. it's also getting more and more corrupted as the years go by. i'll still watch it but i don't see myself getting as involved as i did in past years...oh well, it's provided me with some great people and for that, i will always love it...and hate it at the same time :)

There is so much like could be improved. IMO, I wish that they would bring back the group songs during the audition process. I think the fillers like the phone calls from fans and the ford commercials need to be eliminated. They just need to cut down the results back to 30 minutes because it is way too long; consistency with the time length of the performance show shouldn't matter. And about Paula, I respect your opinions but she should stay because she had some pretty funny moments last season.

I wish they'd replace Paula. She really is a joke. The contestants deserve to be judged by someone who can act like a professiional and give constructive criticism.
well if AI actually wanted that, they'd have to get 3 new judges.

I agree with making the results show just 30 minutes again instead of stretching it out to an hour...it's just too much, and the fillers they have aren't that interesting.

I think you guys are right, every show has it's prime and peak, and I think AI's already hit that. It's slowly going downhill and has been for a while now. It's like Who Wants to be a Millionaire, remember how popular that was in the early 2000s? Then, I think we just got too much of it and eventually got sick of it. I know that AI can't be around forever, but I'll keep watching till the end. It gives people something to talk about at least! :lol:

http://idolforums.com/index.php?showtopic=575833&st=0

looks like they're phasing out someone.

I think this season the results shows are only 30 minutes - much better already!

And why bring in another judge that hardly anyone knows? If they want ratings, they need someone who is well known to the public to judge the contestants, IMO. And why do they need 4 judges? If you ask me, 2 is enough for this show.

I think we'll be seeing the end of Idol soon - I really doubt they'd go on after season 10 at the least. The show is getting old.

like i said...i have a feeling this is probably someone's last season, and they're bringing in this new judge a season early to get the public used to her.

like i said...i have a feeling this is probably someone's last season, and they're bringing in this new judge a season early to get the public used to her.

That could be - since it's a woman coming in, chances are that Paula may be getting the boot next season. But, you never know what'll happen.

Eh, that's just speculation. I think Simon is just getting bored with the format so the show is adding another judge. And to say the least, Simon doesn't really have that much of a musical background in the first place.

like i said...i have a feeling this is probably someone's last season, and they're bringing in this new judge a season early to get the public used to her.

That's one of the first things I thought too...watch Fox deny it...