Idol Chatter & Voice Views

As American Idol faces the prospect of Simon Cowell leaving, at a time when ratings are already falling after a lackluster season nine, I offer up 10 free tips for helping save the show.

Tip 5: Keep the judges’ save

Idol has already announced one big improvement for season 10. Those chock-full-of-filler results shows will be trimmed to 30 minutes.

One feature I’d prefer Idol not trim: The judges’ save.

I consider it was one of the best changes the show has made since its inception.

And that’s in spite of the fact that I wasn’t fond of the judges’ using the save on Matt Giraud in season eight or Michael Lynche in season nine.

Look, Ryan Seacrest does his best to milk the results shows for as much drama as possible. But even Mr. Host-of-Everything-Under-the-Sun can only do so much.

The judges’ save adds another touch of suspense to the end of the show.

A contestant is on the verge of elimination. He or she has to sing for his or her Idol life in front of millions of viewers while the judges debate their fate.

What can be more dramatic than that?

Besides, the sing-for-the-save performances have often been much better than the originals.

And it’s great question fodder for us Idol bloggers who interview eliminated contestants the next day.