Idol Chatter & Voice Views

This weekend, I’m posting a series of blogs suggesting ways FOX and 19 Entertainment can save American Idol from its plummeting ratings, especially as Simon Cowell prepares to leave the show.

Tip 2: Let the judges pick the finalists.

OK, I know that’s tantamount to sacrilege. That it flies in the face of the most basic Idol concept — that the fate of the contestants is determined by viewers at home.

But you know all that complaining about the season nine cast?

Look in the mirror, Idol fans. You picked them.

Do you think the judges would have selected Lacey Brown over Lilly Scott?

Do you think the judges would have sacrificed Katelyn Epperly for Katie Stevens?

Heck, they might even have kept Janell Wheeler around long enough to prove she could sing circles around Paige Miles.

On the guys’ side, Tyler Grady might have gotten a second chance on the Idol stage. In the long run, he couldn’t have done worse than Andrew Garcia or Tim Urban. And he might have been a lot more entertaining.

I also know this suggestion in fraught with risks.

After all, the judges got to pick four finalists in season eight, and they took Anoop Desai and Matt Giraud over the more deserving Ricky Braddy. They picked Jasmine Murray over several more deserving female contestants, most notably Kristen McNamara.

But the voters flunked big time in season nine, so it’s time to try something different.

Besides, I’ve never seen the show, but I’m told the judges pick the finalists in “So You Think You Can Dance” and it works just fine.