Giving Idol new life

FOX needs to fix Idol.

There’s no point waiting until the overall ratings start to decline—it’ll be too late by then. Most Idol fans agree that this year’s lineup is decidedly blah; we’ll keep watching next year out of loyalty and habit, but Idol is in danger of starting that downward slide.

So what can FOX do without destroying the show, as usually happens when TV executives start to meddle? Some suggestions:

-Find younger finalists. Everyone who’s left is too old and set in their ways, except for Sanjaya and Jordin. Sure, have a couple of ‘older pros’ around like Melinda and LaKisha to mix it up. But the show badly needs more youthful, even nervous energy.

-Bring back celebrity judging. In past years the celebrity-of-the-week wouldn’t just mentor, but would also sit in and judge (often hilariously) during the finals. A new voice every week would shake Paula/Randy/Simon out of their nice/schitzo/mean pattern.

-Stop singing old songs. What’s with all the stuff from the 60s? And then the judges complain the contestants aren’t youthful enough?! Cut the deals that will let the contestants sing more of what they actually listen to. And who knows, maybe even introduce America to some overlooked songs.

-Change up the venue. Put them in a nightclub one week, a beachside stage the next—it’ll help them match their performances to the themes, and will make each week’s show seem less same-old.

-Replace Ryan. I go back-and-forth on him; he actually does a hard job well, balancing a lot of demands and keeping things running. But I think he’s outgrown the host’s role, and is too much of a force unto himself. Replacing him is the quickest way to keep the show fresh… just don’t ask David Letterman.

-Go behind-the-scenes. A Real World-style peek at what everyone’s doing when they’re not on stage would be fun, and might help us care more about some of the contestants who are a bit charisma-challenged.

I’m picturing Sanjaya and Jordin trading hair care tips, Chris and Blake engaged in vicious wrestling matches, LaKisha and Phil talking about Don Imus…..