Changes in store for the next season's American Idol

Please, no more sentimental, sappy, bombastic big power ballad as the potential winner's song. A Moment Like This sounds forgettable and Disney like now. And This Is My Now is slightly better, but will sound stiff 5 years from now. Get something current or danceable to match with the singer's personal vocal style. No, it doesn't have to sound like Rihanna's hit Umbrella, but find something good and supple.

I think that we do need to know the contestants more, what makes them tick, what made them decide to sing, their musical and vocal influences and where do they see themselves 10 to 20 years from now in show business. The mentors of those big name artists were way too much last year. It seemed like Idol's producers kept the contestants completely private and shielded from the viewing public. No, this shouldn't be a vanity thing, but we need to know their personalities before we make fun of their hair, their face, their appearance when they perform in the competition. Those producers are so wrapped in this perfect pop singer look for these contestants that the background segments seem faceless and anonymous. They need to step back and calm down a bit.

I hope american idol is better than last year,I always go to the concerts,but I wouldnt of wasted my money on them this year.....

Please no more Blake Lewis or Sanjuia or what ever
his name is, bring back Melinda Doolittle and give her
another try.

I say bring in some new judges! The ones they have now have become so "readable" in their judgements, it take away from the talent that is trying to win. Who wants another season of Paula Abdul "moon-eyeing" every male contestant, and Randy, with his "hip-hop" lingo and demeanor is also becoming a "show in itself", then there's Simon, and he can take his condensending attitude and stick it where the sun don't shine! Get some fresh meat in the compound as far as the judges go, That's a change to make, not if a contestant can play a musical instrument!

What I think they should do is not show the people and only hear their voices. Isn't that what this show is about? Their voices? Put them behind a screen and just hear their voice and then when it's down to 12 or 10, then show them. Oh and I agree that the voting thing has to be changed, also.

I think the addition of instruments is a really great idea. Unless you went to the "American Idol" concert tour this summer (or did extensive research), most people probably had no idea that Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson, Phil Stacey, and Chris Sligh played instruments (and played them very well, I might add). Some of them, including Blake and Chris R., play several instruments. It would have been great to have seen them play them on the show. Most people have no idea that, according to all of the other season six finalists, that Chris R. is a brilliant songwriter. Little tidbits like this could have been aired on the show, but weren't.

I also like the idea of getting to know the contestants on a more personal level, like the way we were introduced to Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, and Kellie Pickler. They had great stories behind their great voices, and great personalities as well.

I do agree that there should be a limit on the number of times you can vote on the show. I know that there were a lot of Sanjaya fans out there who hit the 'redial' button hundreds of times during the 2-hour-long voting period. So, if someone only voted for Gina Glocksen twice, but another person voted for Sanjaya Malakar 672 times, the results don't really provide an accurate account of who America likes more.

I think these changes could definitely help spice up the show, and help bring it into an age where personality and musician-ship have become increasingly important.

Granny J is correct. The voting system needs to be modified....Mayby limit the number of votes from one telephone.

Let me dust off my Tuba!

They should show more behind the scenes stuff like all the fights and things that goes on.... Please you know they are all fightings name calling and talking bad about eachother.. that's what make reality shows so good. come on I would have been really happy seeing Melinda call Jordin a fat cow or something.

That's what makes them tick!