Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Before we hear what the judges have to say about Season 12 of American Idol tonight, here’s what executive producer Nigel Lythgoe had to say earlier today.

Nigel was talking about changes and potential changes on Idol Season 12 (the premiere is now just a week away) and his observations so far.

1. Idol hasn’t only switched up the Vegas round for Season 12. It broke Hollywood Week into one week for guys and one week for gals. Nigel says the change “really gave us an awful lot more focus on our talent.”

My take: I like the Vegas change. I’ll withhold judgment on this one until the episodes air. Anything that puts the focus on music, not Hollywood Week drama, is a plus. Remember last year’s episode without music? I do.

2. Randy is the tough judge, Nigel says. He’s the one most likely to tell someone auditioning that they really shouldn’t be looking forward to a career in music.

My take: We heard this last year, and Randy was anything but tough. If Randy’s really the tough judge, we’re in for another year of non-judging. I’ll hold out hope that one of the new judges steps up to take over the role as speaker of truth. I long ago gave up any hope of Randy being useful.

3. Jimmy Iovine will be back.

My take: And if we could have put Jimmy on the judging panel and let him deliver his truthful critiques before all the votes were cast, that would be great. Having him deliver blistering critiques on the results show serves little purpose.

4. Nigel likes the idea of revealing where contestants finished in the voting and would like to do it, but fears people will now think they’re copying off The X Factor. Still, Idol might do it in Season 12.

My take: Unless he was just spouting the company line a year ago, Nigel has changed his tune. He said it could have hurt interest some years when the same singer would hold the top spot all season.

5. Nigel says the gals, as a group, have shown more talent this year. But he notes that it’s not always about talent. Charisma and personality also come into play.

My take: Yep, that Phillip Phillips was loaded with charisma. It comes down to whether you’re a guy. And whether you carry a guitar. And until Idol puts a limit on the number of votes a single fan can cast, the scales will always be unfairly balanced in the male contestants’ favor.