So this year we no longer have the big blue American Idol backdrop behind the judges, we have windows with views.

At first I wasn’t happy about them changing it, but thought I would give it a chance.

But we’re nearly at the end of the auditions now and I have to say I don’t like the windows. I like the feeling of enclosure, and the continuity of the big blue backdrop. It sums up the spirit of what the show is all about, while a window just looks a bit cheap. (Even though, obviously, the backdrops are pretty cheap to produce while getting a nice location is much harder.)

Maybe it’s Kara, too, but I am not enjoying it this year anywhere near as much as in previous years.

Having said all this, I did really like the background for Salt Lake City. If they could get these kinds of breathtaking views for every location, then I would probably be in favour of the backgrounds.

I liked the cactus in the phoenix one. San Francisco a few weeks ago was from the 36th (?) floor of the St. Francis Hotel, and a few years ago in Hawaii they were on top of the Hilton Hawaiian Village with great views of Waikiki and Diamond Head crater.

The windows are a great improvement. Although it must be a nightmare for the editors for continuity.

i pesonally like it and i think this is the best season yet- i really like kara but she will never be as good as paula.

I dont really think it makes a difference...

I liked it when the window fell through or whatever happened the other day lol

I think when I’m watching a programme in the evening, I like the show to have more of an “indoor evening” feel. To feel more enclosed and intimate. But the window, and the daylight outside, makes the show seem more like a daytime show, or more like a summer show.

I can’t quite put my finger on exactly why, but it just bothers me.

It’s like I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. I really don’t like that show because it’s on at night in winter, yet it’s all set in the daylight in the summer. I don’t like that.

Am I the only one who likes to “snuggle up” in front of the TV on a winter’s evening? I don’t like all that sun at night!

I like it, brightens up the audition room nicely and shows the scenary of where we are in the audition. Very nice

I prefer the scenery.

Loved the anti-glare screen falling down, though I was disappointed the bobbing boat outside hadn't caused that by crashing into the studio, for that's how it briefly looked on the preview. Dwama!

I can't recall if it was like this last year, but the one thing I'm not keen on is having someone distractingly sat on a chair in the background while they audition. All she's there for is to hand out a Hollywood ticket on the way out. I don't like the way many of the contestants snatch them out of her hand either.