Was I the only one wincing through Casey's rendition of Nature Boy last night ?

I only watched the show because I had to, and yes he didn’t sound the best, but I’m glad he did something different, just like I’m glad the last guy did a metal song.

You’re right. Every Wednesday I miss Simon more and more.

I watched Idol last night for the first time this season. (Got sucked in, but I’m NOT watching any more! Maybe.) I actually really liked his version, though I wouldn’t pay money for it.

As for the judges, I thought they were too easy all night, I have to agree.

That other dude’s Bridge Over Troubled Water performance made the evening worth-while, though.

@augustlan If you have watched from the beginning you would have noticed that the judges have been too easy the entire season!

@Blackberry

I also didn’t mind that he did something different but is it too much to expect that they sing on key already ? The judges looked like they didn’t even notice.

@Erich

All the judges have been way to easy for practically ever single performance of everybody. I would expect better of Randy who has so much experience in the music biz as well as having been a performer.

@Auggie

You haven’t missed much. But you’re right about the black guy (Jacob Lutz). He is a wonderful singer.

I’ve picked out him and the country boy as the best of the bunch. But in an odd way I think that the country guy (Scotty) with that terrific derp bass vpice has a better shot at a long career if he doesn’t win.

The winners in most years don’t seem to do as well in succeeding years as many of the runner-ups.

They had better get a judge with some better credibility next year or I see it going down the tubes and fast. They don’t necessarily need someone as caustic as Simon just for the sake of hurling insults. But they definitely need someone with enough experience to recognize sub par performance and not be afraid to speak up about it.

They had originally been considering Jimmy Iovine as a judge instead of just a mentor because of his long years of experience picking talent in the music biz But instead they went for the recognizable names, Tyler and Lopez.

If they have an ounce of common sense left, next year, Iovine will be sitting in a judges chair. Let Lopez coach them. I think she’d be good at that.

They could dump Tyler altogether for all I care. He adds nothing to the show and his leering at the young girls is downright creepy.

I couldn’t remember his name accuratey l enough before, but another guy who would make an incredible judge (not that he needs the job to prop up a fading career) is Clive Davis. Not exactly a household name but tremendous credibility backed up by years and years of success in the business.

From a young age he has just had an incredible instinct and ear for picking talent.

I think he wouln’t be hesitant to speak his mind due to his years of experience.

It’s clear they need somebody.

Anyone else got some nominations in mind ?

Isn’t Clive involved with the record deal the winners get? Conflict of interest, maybe?

@Buttonstc I’ve only seen a few episides total, one of them being with Simon, and I did notice the new judges weren’t as tough.

@augustlan

From the very beginning, both in England and here in the US, I’m pretty sure that Simon was involved with profit from all the record deals. As the creator of the show, along with Nigel Lithgow and another Simon (?) that was understood and acknowledged.

I don’t necessarily see it as a conflict of interest so much as protecting their interest.

But I wasn’t as much of a watcher in it’s early years. It kind of grew on me. And when Adam Lambert was on I tried to never miss a week. He is really an incredible performer and was right from his first week on the show.

Because I wasn’t as much of a fan from the beginning of AI,
I could be completely off base on the financial details however. All I know is that they are sorely lacking in credibility this season.

At first people were appalled at Simon’s lack of civility but his judgement on talent was impeccable. He really knew what he was talking about. And in those times when he stepped over the line, he would apologize the next day.

If he had just been mean and snotty for it’s own sake or for sensationalism I doubt the show would have been so successful. He definitely brought credibility to the judging process.

I’m sure Clive Davis wouldn’t be as caustic but as an experienced A&R guy, I’m sure he would speak his mind.

But someone like David Foster could also fill the bill. They just need somebody to cut through all the tooth-aching sweetness of this year. I don’t know what happened to Randy. I always used to look forward to his take on a persons performance in the past. He was a good balance for Simon and it didn’t matter whether he was agreeing or disagreeing with him. But this year he just seems to think everybody is just peachy keen all the time. Well, not from what I heard last night. Aaarrrgh.

Yeah, I watched it for years (and Lambert’s year was a good one, for sure). But I kind of got sick of all the drama. This year it seems there is NO drama. There’s got to be a good middle ground, but I wonder if they’ll find it before it kills the show.

It’s had a ten year run so obviously Simon knew when to exit.

I wonder if Idol will be replaced in popularity by his new show The X Factor.

I know that if they don’t get at least one credible judge next year, I’m not going to be wasting my time with it.

Time will tell…