'American Idol:' Why the Judges Won't Get Tougher

If you had a hard time sitting through Wednesday night's 90-minute 'American Idol' love-in, you're not alone.

Since the live shows began, the judges' commentary has devolved more and more into irrelevant, repetitive hyperbole, with even 10-year 'Idol' vet Randy Jackson drinking and then regurgitating the Kool-Aid in his sugary reverence for just about everything everyone does this season.

The judges know the fans and critics don't like it. Just the other night, J.Lo told Scotty McCreery, 'Everyone wants us to be tough on you guys, but it's hard 'cause you're all so good!'

This is the kind of facepalm-triggering commentary that's making me start to dread every time a judge goes to speak. At least Steven Tyler occasionally puts a clever spin on his kowtowing.

Most have already weighed in heavily on the judges, most notably veteran 'Idol' writer Richard Rushfield. And clearly the overwhelming chorus of criticism isn't falling on deaf ears, as evidenced by J.Lo's remark.

But after Wednesday's unbearable borefest, I've got a hunch Randy, Steven and J.Lo will keep on whistling 'Dixie. Here's why.

For starters, to force any major changes in the judges' style at this point would taint the competition. Even though the remaining seven might face more (any?!) criticism than those who went before them, to suddenly start throwing any real critical curve balls, at this late stage in the game, might just seem off. The most we can hope for is that Randy will roll his sleeves up and make some slightly critical, intelligent remarks as his two fellow judges continue to lay it on thick because ...

Jennifer Lopez will never allow herself to be booed on live, national television. The same applies, to a lesser extent, to Steven Tyler. There's a total conflict of interest here, which I wish had been sniffed out when their names first came up. It's surprising, considering how things played out with Ellen DeGeneres.

At the moment, J.Lo and Steven are actually at opposite ends of the career spectrum. Lopez needs the kind of big-time bump 'Idol' can give her. Thus far, she's used the show to push her album, which coincides ever so nicely with the People magazine cover. J.Lo is on a promotional tear.

Meanwhile, Steven Tyler took perhaps the biggest risk of his career (aside from taking all those drugs in the '80s), agreeing to shed his bad boy rocker image to judge a squeaky clean singing competition marketed towards teenage girls. In the process, Tyler has reportedly spurned his bandmates and alienated old-school Aerosmith fans. But that's fine; he and his band have created a rock legacy that will outlive any shenanigans they pull in the twilight of their careers.

The fact is, both J.Lo and Steven are in the business of being popular and well-liked, which is why they put a self-imposed gag order on any kind of negative commentary once the live shows began. This would be more much bearable if the panel had some kind of critical anchor, but Randy is apparently out to lunch here.

To their credit, both Steven and Jennifer seem like genuinely nice people and I don't think many of us were expecting that from Lopez, whose diva reputation precedes her. And I don't think anyone is asking the judges to skewer the contestants or attempt to ape Simon, either.

But all three are keenly aware of what it's like to come up in a business that offers rejection at every turn. Coddling the contestants is doing them a major disservice. Yes, they are all 'gifted,' 'amazing,' 'talented' and 'unique' (in some cases) performers. But that's the price of admission to the Top 8. The standards should be much higher now and the constructive criticism should be flowing.

Instead, we've got three judges acting like delusional stage moms and dads. And while the Pia Toscano insanity last week made for a dramatic results show, it's put 'Idol' under intense scrutiny. Yet Nigel and friends seem bent on seeing their vision of a softer, almost maternal approach to the contestants though this season, even though it's not working. (The ratings aren't showing it yet, but give it time.)

I don' think we'll be seeing J.Lo or Steven next season. Both make a tremendous amount of money off being liked and popular. The warning signs were there when the Hollywood hopefuls started stripping and serenading J.Lo and Steven started singing for people's parents.

For now, I'll try to stomach the rest of the season, while keeping hope alive my conspiracy theory that Nigel is secretly 'auditioning' the great combination of Jimmy Iovine and will.i.am, with his suspiciously regular appearances and ability to make criticism funny (something Ellen struggled with), to take over next season. One can hope.


'American Idol' airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8PM ET on Fox.