I recently put together an EW.com gallery looking at Simon Cowell’s 12 meanest critiques from the first seven seasons of American Idol’s semifinals/finals. But while I was recounting Simon’s best zingers — ones that conjured up images of sinking cruise ships and teenagers locked in their bedrooms and poodles in leather jackets — a funny thing struck me: Somewhere between David Cook’s confetti shower in May 2008 and the Rise and Fall of Bikini Girl earlier this year, the cranky British judge seems to have lost a lot of his mojo.
This isn’t to say, of course, that Simon is approaching Randy Jackson levels of "for me for you" hackdom. But think about it: When was the last time Simon pulled out a sparkling one-liner durng a live critique — one that went beyond the standard-operating "cruise ship"/"copycat"/"dreadful" template? And over the last couple seasons, hasn’t he seemed more in lockstep with the producers’ preordained favorites, and increasingly less willing to recognize great performances by the show’s underdogs? Maybe the guy is not, as he keeps telling us (most recently in The New York Times), at the start of negotiations for even bigger bucks to keep him on Idol’s slowly listing (but still totally dominant) warship? Maybe he’s really and truly burnt out from juggling his stateside Idol work with his duties on Britain’s Got Talent and X-Factor? And if that’s the case, would it be such a bad thing if season 9 is Simon’s last on the show?
I, for one, think Idol’s heart would go on — yes, it’s a Celine Dion reference! — without Mr. Cranky. To me, Idol has never been about the judges — their disastrously annoying on-stage entrances this year have made that point abundantly clear — but rather about the discovery of exciting new musical talent. I love seeing waitresses and pharmacy workers and single moms and chorus members from touring productions of Broadway shows get that seemingly impossible opportunity to make America fall in love with them. And I’m sure the show’s producers can use the $36 million Simon reportedly makes on Idol annually to find another discerning, outspoken voice to keep the wheels churning, even if said vehicle only pulls in, say, 19 million viewers in future seasons, rather than the 25 or so million it draws now.
What do you think? Weigh in by taking our highly authoritative PopWatch polls below, and then share your further thoughts in the comments section below.
More on ‘American Idol’:
‘Idolatry’: Scott MacIntyre on his sense of humor and post-’Idol’ plan for radio domination
‘American Idol’ Power List: Pick your favorite from the Top 7 (part two)!
‘American Idol’’s Kara DioGuardi: Once and for all — yea or nay on the new judge?
‘American Idol’: Season 8 contestants enter the Steel Cage!
‘Idol’ Cheat Sheet: The season so far…
‘American Idol’ recap: Better ’save’ than sorry!
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Should American Idol let the over-30s in?
‘American Idol’: Simon’s 12 meanest critiques
EW.com’s American Idol HQ
Comments (1-15) of 136 Add your comment
If Simon leaves ‘Idol’, who should replace him?
MICHAEL SLEZAK!!!!!!!
I’m with Kelly. Slezak, or ANYONE IN THE F’ING WORLD WHO ACTUALLY CRITIQUES THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE!
Glad I got that out.
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I think All the judges have gotten softer with the contestants. I think it has something to do with Paula Goodspeed. (That girl that Killed herself)
I feel the exact opposite. Idol is really all about the judges- that’s what sets it apart from the other competition shows of the same vein (CBS’s Rockstar, remember NBC’s Fame?) There are other (possibly better) shows that are more focused on the potential talent on stage, (So You Think You Can Dance comes to mind) but Idol isn’t one of them. 50% of the appeal comes from hearing what Simon’s gonna say. Admittedly, he’s not as ’shockingly brutal’ as he used to be, but I don’t think he should be sitting around scripting clever insults just for the benefit of getting a rise out of the audience. There’s only so much a man can say about a bad performance. No need to kick him off the most popular show he helped bring to the States.
“Somewhere between David Cook’s confetti shower in May 2008″…
Awww.. I miss him so much!
As much as it should be about the singers; and they have managed to find some very special and talented singers over the years. But Simon is the show. People listen to his critique most of all. They don’t always listen but he’s entertaining and cruel at times. I don’t always agree with him but if he were to leave; the show wouldn’t be as great as it is. Simon adds to the IT factor. Most people consider Randy and Paul and now Kara judges but it’s Simon that most of the time they listen to.
Simon is the only “unpredictable” judge. He speaks his mind. He doesn’t spew jibberish like the others. As long as his replacement is equally outspoken I will watch. I thought Kara would add some insightful comments, but she has been a disappointment.
No it wouldn’t be. It’s already boring with most of these singers. Simon’s controversial comments are what a lot of people look forward to. You will always hear the contestants say they want to hear how Simon feels. You can see their reaction when Simon loves their performance. You never see them get pumped after the other judges comments.
Who should replace Simon if he left, and didn’t start X Factor USA? Michael Slezak. Just be harsh though.
I think Simon seems so disinterested because he’s probably like the rest of us: the agenda of pushing certain people through – going back to even pre-Hollywood week – has taken away the surprise of the whole season.
Thats just me…
Slezak – didn’t you get a sneak peek of a Simon-less AI last week? It was horrible. If Simon leaves, I think they would need to replace all the judges. Or maybe have no judges at all. What would America do without someone to guide their votes? Maybe Karaoke Gokey would be home by now.
How else would the contestants even know how they are doing if Simon werent around? The other three are like singing for your mom….she cant even deliver slightly bad news without added something good. Simon tells it like it is, and we all know the contestants are thrilled to death when Simon gives them good feedback. Good feedback from the other three is meaningless.
The show would never be the same without Simon. There are times his cruel critiques make me want to slap the p o o p out of him, but I still think he makes the show more enjoyable.
If Simon left, I wouldn’t be upset. Even if he stays, though, I do think they should get rid of Randy and Kara and replace them with guest judges.