man, I'm really tiring of the current judging panel.

Steven just makes short, nonsensical statements to everyone, Randy is still just Randy and J-Lo....Gawd she loves the sound of her own voice!

Simon used to say it how it was and made far more sense. He was also more often than not, completely right. I really miss his forthrightness on the show right now.

Not really. lol
Simon only said things in the hope of manipulating the voting public, but they were always far too stubborn to listen to him.
He got too wrapped up in the ratings/controversy and getting his tv shows in the papers and ended up pulling sly hypocritical moves that started to really tick me off.

How can we miss him, if he won't go away?

I started watching the show from season 10 and been watching it since for one and only one reason ... Steven

He's fun to watch and his short, nonsensical statements make more sense to me than the rest

As for Simon, I've seen enough of him on other shows.

no not all I really like JLO, Steven and Randy as judges

I think the judges have improved a lot in the last two episodes. I think they've been given a bit of a telling off, and their being less lovey dovey than usual.

No, Simon made Idol about Simon like all of his shows whereas now Idol is back to the singing. I love Randy and Steven then add in JLo and you have the perfect panel

Not in the slighest to be honest, it was very obvious he was bored of the show in the last few seasons and had become far too predictable, he seemed to be using the same lines every week and never offered any really constructive advise.

The new panel seem much more enthusisatic and its more about the contestants now, as it should be.

Exactly and I like Jimmy as well

Me too - I love Steven I find him mesmerising (though am a little tired of "That was just beautiful" after nearly every performance. However, I agreed with him tonight about Colton.

yes, Jimmy's great - I don't miss Simon at all. Have only started watching again because of the new panel.

Nope, not in the slightest.

I wouldn't watch it if his smug face and tired comments were still part of it.

The panel and Ryan are great and Jimmy is more honest that Simon ever was.

I'm not missing Simon because he lost his touch years ago. If you compare Simon on XF now to how he was on Pop Idol it's like a completely different person.

I wouldn't mind if they got rid of Randy after this year though - surely it's time for him to go?

YES!!

No matter how big his ego is, Simon said it like it was.
Simon, Paula and Randy were a good combination, they worked together, which each bringing different flavour to the judging panel.

Steven Tyler loves everybody "That was beautiful"
Jennifer Lopez just smiles and speaks nonsense and ends everything with stupid laugh. And sometimes tries to show us a fake tear, but all the while remembering that she has to look beautiful so she can't really cry, cause her makeup would be ruined

And with Steven and J-lo, even Randy has lost the spark he once had. And I never used to like him that much, but now I can't even stand him.

This panel just does not work.

GOD NO.

This is the best show out of all the reality shows for judges. I love the 3 of them with Randy being the greatest judge ever.

Completely agree. Steven Tyler just says "it was beautiful" to everyone. Jennifer Who-pez? just babbles on about complete crap unrelated to the SINGING. Randy used to be fair with the contestants but now with those two jokers he is doing the same as them and going all "it wasn't your best but it was alright".

Why can't they just tell most of them the truth and tell them "it was rubbish that is my opinion". Nope it is all one big fake "good".

I cannot believe the obvious favouritism for certain contestants this year it is such a joke. Skylar is the worst contestant and America are voting for her, WHY? She shouts and screeches through songs and makes them all sound the same. The thing about songs is you have to sing them.

People like Hollie ,who is the best contestant, are deliberately being wrongly criticized while Skylar and other terrible contestants are getting praise shoved onto them. Hollie sings her songs and Erika sings and actually has a better voice than irritating shouty Skylar but America doesn't vote for the singers? What is the point of American idol if the best singers are kicked off?

I'm not missing him at all. US X-Factor proved how his presence has become all about his ego and not really about the contestants. He used to be good in the early seasons of American Idol but in recent years he hasn't been that good of a judge. The fact that he didn't originally choose Melanie Amaro (who went on to win it) to make his final list proves that talent isn't his main concern. He is more interested in himself and fake drama. It was quite satisfying to see how the US didn't really like and watch the X-Factor....

That's because X-Factor is all about teams. The judges teams..... His ego got even bigger. In X-Factor Paula was the only fair judge who didn't critisise just because of who mentors them.... She critised and praised based on the contestants.

And as for Melanie, he always wanted her. In fact he wanted her so much that he faked the whole elimination process only so that he could then bring her back and so he got more exposure and interest for her.

As for ratings, well American Idol is deffo going down in that department too and pretty soon will have the same figures as X-Factor had.

I think the moment when I realised what jokes Steven and Jennifer are and will be as judges, was last year when in the first final they praised Brett Loewenstern's to the heavens after he had sung his version of "Light my fire"...... That was just too much to take.

And it hasn't gotten any better since then.....

Nope, not missing him at all. I don't love the current panel, but I wouldn't have Simon back.

I am getting sick of the go-to "That was pitchy!" criticism, when it wasn't.

He had his uses, once upon a time, when he usually provided the 'alternative opinion', to counter what would otherwise have been a Randy/Paula lovefest with all the contestants.

But he gradually turned sour, and brought a malevolent atmosphere to the show. The tension with Ryan was obvious - Ryan has looked a much happier and more relaxed bunny this past 2 seasons.

I think Cowell was bored, and possibly resentful of the other Simon and the long wait for X Factor USA so did not care what happened to Idol, possibly even wished to do what he could to jeopardise it, and that would include promoting likely winners who would fail to sell (such as his support of Lee DeWyze).

It's better off without him IMO. Cowell as a TV personality is way past his sell-by date anyway, just about the best example of a TV celeb who has suffered from overexposure. He should retire from appearing on TV, he has nothing new to say and his Dorian Gray vanity is making him rapidly turn into a botoxed/fake tanned/laser-toothed Spitting Image puppet.

No not missing Simon one bit. Mind you, it's been a weaker year in regards to an overall entertainment package. Talent wise I'm very happy.

Randy and Paula were much more critical than Steven or Jennifer have ever been. Everything is "just beatiful" and "I love you baby". And it has now cathed Randy as well....

They are just trying so desperately to praise everyone in an attemp to try and say to the viewers that the talent is the BEST they have ever had....

Well, whatever..... Talent maybe great, but AI has been lacking of true personas for the past 3 years.... (ever since Paula left )

I like the fact that it's more about the talent than the judges now. The addition of Jimmy critiquing the singers is welcome - he has a great personality and isn't afraid of speaking his mind. Simon was good in the early days, but has never been really credible as far as the music goes. Personally I'm enjoying this series of AI more than the X factor which has become an over extravagant parody of it's former self.

Yes, Jimmy is good. Jimmy should be in the judging panel. If he was then maybe I wouldn't miss Simon.... Cause then at least there would be ONE who isn't afraid of speaking his mind. Jimmy is the only one whose opinion I'm interested hearing. Bottom line, this panel Randy-Jennifer-Steven, just simply........ sucks.

I can't take the crap from Jennifer:
"blaa blaa blaa blaa blaa..... but you know I love you, baby....teeheehee"

or from Steven:
"That was..... simply...beautiful"