by Kenneth Schonmeier

Created on: April 20, 2009

Many might say the most important part of American Idol is the talent they find. Others might argue it is the goofy auditions in the beginning. Yet it is the judges that are the most important part of American Idol. They will always find more talent, and God knows they will always find more freaks to audition. What they cant count on is finding judges that can carry the show like they do now.

With Simon Cowell's knack for being blunt to the point he sometimes is out right insulting, Randy Jackson's personality with his "Yo Dog" phrases and Paula Abdul's flakiness, they are the perfect panel for entertainment. Now they have added Kara DioGuardi and to be completely honest I have not yet figured out just where she fits in. She is not overly rude, flaky or funny. She just is! Maybe she is to remind us what the show would be like if we had three boring judges.

As important as these judges are to the success of the show, certain judges are more important than others. By far, the most important is Simon. He is easily the most talked about and most controversial of the four judges. With his remarks telling contestants they were excruciating to even telling one auditioner he looked like a 'Bush Baby', there are many who tune in for no more reason than to hear his comments. As harsh as he is to contestants, he is usually right. Even with the "Bush Baby' remark. Of course there are many who hate Simon for his rudeness as well, but they are far out numbered by those who like him. Most know he is not as rude in every day life. It is a show and he puts on his own act to make the show better. He just happens to be very good at it.

Randy Jackson would be the next hardest to replace. With a smattering of cliche phrases, he is the most likable of the judges, though he has used the "pitchy" phrase so often that I want to reach in the television and slap him each time he uses it now. Along with his likability, he is usually right on with his remarks and it would be a difficult task to replace him.

Then their is Paula Abdul. Listening to her is like trying to read a book you pulled out of a fire. There are just as many half finished sentences as there are completed ones. Yet she never fails to complete the sentence when she is telling someone how great they look. (Which shouldn't have much to do with their ability to sing). Paula would be the easiest of the three to replace by far. One would just have to get a woman who will show off generous amounts of cleavage and medicate he until she cant finish a sentence. Still, it is sometimes fun to watch her and Simon fight.

Kara would get an incomplete grade at this time. She is a song writer who has made a great name for herself. She will give Paula some support against the two guys. However I am not bery impressed with her yet. I have yet to see where she adds anything extra to the show and to my understanding she is actually taking something away. As I understand it, she is writing this years song for the winning contestant; something that has been awarded to the winner of the song writing contest in recent years. So now the viewers have one less chance to participate and get somewhere themselves while she furthers her already strong career.

The fact remains however. If Kelly Clarkston never auditioned, American Idol would still be a hit show today. Without the likes of David Cook and other contestants, the show would still be just as good. No one contestant truly made a difference to the greatness of American Idol. However if it didn't have these judges, it might not have been as watched. If Simon Cowell leaves as has been rumored, the show will take a drastic down turn in its ratings.

Learn more about this author, Kenneth Schonmeier.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.