For me, I like the Auditions and think they should stay as should Ryan and the judges, What needs to be changed is the favoritism shown by the judges to some of these kids, this season David A can do NO WRONG and come on now he’s not as good as everyone thinks. But we’ve been told he’s going to win from day 1 same as last season with Jordin.
Another thing that should change is the equal time… Why is Carrie the only idol that is one year after year after year and the rest of the winners are forgotten, I’d love to see more TAYLOR HICKS. He did win ya know even though AI wish he hadn’t the people spoke so why not give us what we voted for & who won, The treatment that this show has given Taylor is unforgiveable and should not be overlooked. I love this show and don’t think it’s in that bad of shape but it does need to be FAIR to all not just a few.

Idol is an excellent program and I love the judges, specially the dry humor and knowledge of Simon. I feel that the voting has to be changed as it seems the voting is manipulated by groups of people. How is it possible that the best male singer you ever had in all these years is out? Someone who should been kicked out in the second show this year is still in.
respectfully submitted.

The increased judges’ banter is one of the IMPROVEMENTS this season. I want to see MORE of the judges, especially Simon, not less. Last season, the judges often did not speak during results shows and were barely on camera. They are getting more camera and mike time this season, and that’s how I want it to be always. Simon, in particular, IS the show, and should be given MORE time in the spotlight.

Also, BY NO MEANS should the auditions be reduced to flashbacks. The entire process of the competition, from the auditions in each city to the crowning of the winner, is an essential piece of the puzzle. The auditions not only give us a big laugh with the rejects and some choice comments and moments from Simon, they also introduce us to many who will become finalists, and perhaps the winner. To join the competition in progress in Hollywood and tell us right off who made it there would kill the whole spirit of the show, and eliminate its crucial catchphrase, “You’re going to Hollywood”. We should meet the finalists at the same time the judges do, and see just what it was that got them to Hollywood.

Idol is NOT broken, so there is NO need to fix it.

The judges’ banter is one of the big IMPROVEMENTS this season!!! I want MORE of the judges, especially Simon, not less. Last season, on most of the results shows, the judges did not speak at all and were hardly shown on camera. I will NOT go back to that!!! Also, by NO MEANS should they begin in Hollywood and have the auditions as just flashbacks. The whole process, from the auditions in each city to the crowning of the winner, is ESSENTIAL to what the show is all about. During the auditions, we not only get a big laugh at the rejects and Simon’s words of wisdom to them, but this is where we first meet many of the eventual finalists, including the winner. I don’t want to join the competition in progress in Hollywood, and know right off who made it there without meeting them at the same time the judges did and seeing what got them to Hollywood.

The IDOL has become more of a popularity contest in the last 2-3 seasons.

I would like for the judging to be more like it is on “So You Think You Can Dance”.

I do enjoy the Idol very much.

My advice for the show to have bigger, better ratings and still remain top of the Nielsens from January until May should be between me and the powers that be if I ever get the chance.

How about new host and new judges to replace Paula and Randy. Just keep Simon.

When Simon told a contestant to stick gum on Taylor Hicks’ face (the previous year’s choice as America’s IDOL) credibility was lost BIG TIME. America votes (premise of the show, isn’t it?) and yet the Powers That Be tell us that WE got it wrong!! If WE are choosing our favorite by voting, how ignorant to tell us WE WERE WRONG. Quit insulting the voters…we’re sick of it.

The gum remark, followed by the obvious dissing and dismissing of Taylor as OUR IDOL, is beyond belief. No wonder ratings have declined.

If you can’t show respect towards the person the viewers choose, why not change the name of the show to “Judges’ Idol.”

I know many, many people (including myself) who would be extremely happy if only seacrest wasn’t there - everything else, even paula’s incomplete thoughts and empty praise, would be a pleasure to put up with if only he would disappear.

I know many, many people (including myself) who would be extremely happy if only seacrest wasn’t there - everything else, even paula’s incomplete thoughts and empty praise, would be a pleasure to put up with if only he would disappear.

American Idol peaked in Season 5 with the great diversity of Taylor Hicks, Kat McPhee, Elliott Yamin and Chris Daughtry. And what happened then was that ‘the powers that be’ chose to repeatedly and publicly disrespect the man who America chose as winner because he had the integrity to chose not to be molded into some plastic, cookie cutter popstar. Mr. Hicks is not only a great singer-musician, but a wonderful entertainer as well. That does not necessarily translate to cd sales which of course the AI machine is primarily invested in. So they, on many occassions, criticized Mr. Hicks because he would not be anyone’s puppet. However Taylor Hicks has made great success touring and is writing a new cd. Perhaps not ‘success’ to AI, but success for Taylor Hicks. Some folks value quality over quantity. Some people know that money is NOT the only indicator of success. Chris Daughtry has had great commercial success which he certainly deserves. And, no fault to Chris Daughtry at all, he becomes Season 5’s ‘poster child’. It is all about the money. We all know that, right? The AI ratings have not since averaged as high as in Season 5. Maybe the big wigs need to just let the people pick who they like and not grouse about it. It really is NOT just a singing contest. It has often been said that to win AI you need to have the “it” factor. America’s idea of an ‘it’ factor is often different than AI’s. So when the $$$ start to head downward a bit, panic ensues. To many, many of us we are looking for voices AND personalities that entertain and inspire. We are not inspired by the number of decimal points in either pay checks or ratings numbers. AI, we are not unintelligent.

The dumbest thing that Idol continues to perpetuate is the notion that America still cares about the “bad” auditions, let alone is somehow still duped into believing that those crazies aren’t handpicked in the first place. EXCELLENT singers are ROUTINELY passed on in order to stack the televised auditions with losers. You want to find a real American Idol? Then stop turning them away, geniuses. Lose the stupid audition-show format and just show us the good singers. PLEASE. PLEASE.

If A.I. is going to have judges, they should be a little more up to date than the likes of the crones currently on the show. They should have more power to keep the truly good contestants on the show further on. If it’s a singing competition (which has been stated many times by the ‘big wigs’ there), then the best singer needs to win. Time after time, the best person goes home while the mediocre person wins…and then flops when their cd comes out. Take the hint Nigel.

ryan talking back and forth with the judges is the best part of the show

American Idol has become a joke! I know that after they did that to Michael Johns (making him leave the show on AIGB week )I will no longer watch the show this season and I doubt that I will next season either.I believe that was a mean stunt to get ratings.I know that I am not the only one that feels this way. I believe that Nigel has apparently forgot why American Idol is so successful. Does Nigel really think that American Idol would be so huge without the fans? I have a message for you Nigel: “Wake up and get down off of that high horse that you are riding” ! Connie Mckinney in Kentucky.

If this is a singing show based on talent, something has to be done about the voting. Perfect example, Daughtry should of won hands down….enough said.

If this is truely a singing show based on SINGING, then something needs to be done about the voting, perfect example, Daughtry….enough said…

People are voting for who they like, not who can sing good. Everyone should be limited to the number of times they can vote. Last week was a good example. A big change is needed.

Nigel, how about stop dissing Taylor Hicks and calling him a failure when he sold over 700,000 cds after you and your minions blackballed him by not allowing him to be played on the radio. How about not telling America that they got it wrong when you intentionally set out to make sure one of the non winners got all the glory that year. What the heck is the point of voting when the entire show is manipulated by you and your cohorts? Your show has lost all credibility with me and many other fans and fanbases. I won’t be watching or voting again. Not that it matters since your still number one, just keep it up Nigel your days are numbered.

We love all of the judges,as well as Ryan Secreast ,they are the main success of the show.
The “voting thing” should be limited.