<p>I’m a Jimmy fan, but as far as former AI contestants, I say Carrie Underwood.</p>
<p>“Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Nicki Manaj, and Fergie.”</p>
<p>Yikes, I hope not. The only one there with a brain is Fergie.</p>
<p>I think Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson are too busy in their careers to do something like that. Plus, both have mentioned how incredibly nervous they are coming back and performing on the AI stage, so they probably want to stay as far away as possible. Clay would be good, but didn’t he sue AI to get out of doing some of things he was contracted to? Not sure, just vaguely remember something.</p>
<p>I think that’s right–Clay doesn’t seem to be part of the alumni club. Something must have gone down there. They also never mention Diana DeGarmo and there have been some circumstances where that’s a glaring omission. They act like Taylor Hicks never existed. The person whose picture is shown on the backdrop from that season (you know, how they have former idols pictured in a graphic that the auditioners stand in front of?) is Chris Daughtry. </p>
<p>Kelly Clarkson is doing this hybrid mentor/judge thing on the current show, Duets. I have only watched a few episodes but I didn’t think she brought a lot of insightful, constructive feedback. She’s more a fan than a critic. Some of the contestants in the early years were people with good voices and good performance skills, but not necessarily a lot of musical knowledge. (Remember the first couple of seasons, there were people who had basically never sung in public?) </p>
<p>Some of the other Idol-affiliated people who weren’t household names before Idol, but were music-industry names and could really be constructive might be Deborah Byrd (the vocal coach) or David Foster.</p>
<p>As for non-Idol folk, Jewel did a good job judging on Nashville Star, if I recall correctly.</p>
<p>Another person I’ve seen on judging panels who is entertaining but also constructive is Vitamin C. Brandy has also been on a few of these types of programs that involve giving feedback to emerging performers. </p>
<p>I thought Steven Tyler was vapid and useless. Also, his use of language annoyed me. It took me a while to understand that when he said something was “over the top,” that was intended as praise.</p>
<p>That show deserves Donald Trump.</p>
<p>^^Yeah, but the Donald would be giving too many extra thumbs up just because the singer is a good looking young woman, kind of like Tyler. And in the end, you want someone who can sing well.</p>
<p>“I thought Steven Tyler was vapid and useless. Also, his use of language annoyed me.”</p>
<p>It was a rare occasion when an intelligent comment came out of his mouth. We were thrilled when he was able to blurt out a critique without using the word “beautiful” in it. Sometimes he got through the entire critique without saying it, and then realized he hadn’t said it, had to just throw it in at the end. JLo had some very thoughtful comments, but she just couldn’t say anything negative and had to drool over all the attractive guys. We just started fast forwarding through the judges. They never seemed to realize that the show was not about them.</p>
<p>Jimmy Iovine is usually great during the packaged clips, but not so constructive when being asked questions live. I think that Shania Twain could be good, and even Katy Perry could be interesting (say what you will about her, but I thought she was pretty entertaining and helpful back in season 9 when she was a guest judge at one of the auditions).</p>
<p>I’m also not sure why Randy isn’t either being fired or quitting too, because he’s proven to be pretty useless himself lately. Every other comment is some amalgamation of “MOST TALENTED CONTESTANTS EVER!” or “You started out a little pitchy, but it got better toward the end.”</p>
<p>American Idol was in trouble when Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez came on and reinvigorated the show two years ago. Unfortunately, the patient is having a relapse. Maybe it is time for AI to quit…</p>
<p>Agree, I think Clay Aiken would be a very competent choice and, unlike Steven Tyler, would NOT sugarcoat his feedback.</p>
<p>I just can’t believe AI is still on. </p>
<p>Adam would not do well in that role. He’s not really the type to sit still for that long haha</p>
<p>No one…it’s time for Idol to be gone.</p>