‘Idol’ minds should ponder tweaks for next year

New judges
Odds are small that the show will replace any of the three established judges. Getting rid of Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, or Simon Cowell at this point would be like recasting the lead roles on “Friends” midway through the show’s run.

But one fix may be to get guest judges or mentors with a little more bite to them. Musical guests tend to be selling something, so they are ridiculously eager to be liked and never have a bad thing to say about the finalists. That’s fine, if they really do serve as mentors and put an effort into getting the singers to perform at their best.

But Simon is the most popular judge for a reason; viewers appreciate his hostility, because he’s seen as being honest. Adding an occasional critical companion would be an interesting twist. Having Tony Bennett on to praise the contestants is fine, but wouldn’t it be neat to occasionally have a Jack Black type to give comments like “Sanjaya, that just sucked”?

More Sanjayas, fewer Antonellas
No finalist caused more angst than Sanjaya Malakar. He was the target of Howard Stern, Internet naysayers, and critics who felt he shouldn’t be on the show at all. Every week he advanced increased the buzz around him; watercooler talk was about his performance, or at least   his hairstyle.

But the critics have it backwards. Sanjaya wasn’t a problem. He was the best thing to happen to the show all season, a unique and controversial talent on a season that was otherwise the blandest in history. Love him or hate him, he inspired passion like nobody else.

It’s often been said that the show would get a spike in the ratings if occasionally viewers could vote against their least favorite finalist, rather than for their top choice. “Idol’s” unlikely to go in that direction, but every good story needs a villain or two. When it’s someone who seems as likeable as Sanjaya does, it’s just an added bonus.

On the other hand, no semifinalist caused more angst than Antonella Barba, and it had nothing to do with her singing. Risque pictures of her found their way to the Internet, and they overwhelmed every other story angle as long as she was on the show.

That’s an issue that’s tough for “Idol” to handle. What is the show supposed to do when something like this, that’s embarrassing to the show but isn’t really the contestant’s fault, makes the news?

It’s a practical and ethical challenge with no easy answers, but the show will need to get a better plan in place by January. This is something that’s likely to occur again and again in coming seasons — anyone with a vendetta can post damaging information about a contestant, real or made-up, and see it disseminated across the world with the click of a mouse. The issue is sure to reemerge. Much like reality television, it’s just a fact of life these days.

Craig Berman is a writer in Washington, D.C.

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