Idol Chatter & Voice Views

So, Ellen DeGeneres is gone. Simon Cowell has yet to be replaced. And Kara DioGuardi’s contract has yet to be renewed.

What’s it all add up to?

A wonderful opportunity for America’s most-watched TV show to totally retool its judging panel.

And perhaps make a change that would help reverse its declining ratings in the process.

What should American Idol do from here?

1. Do not renew Kara’s contract. She’s been more of a detriment than an addition to the show since the day she arrived, for reasons and gaffs too numerous to recount here.

2. Do not hire four judges for season 10. Three judges is plenty on a show like Idol. Four judges translates into way too much gab between performances.

3. Buy out Randy Jackson’s contract. I mean, would all that many people miss Randy if he weren’t on the panel? Have his critiques ever gotten more insightful than: “That didn’t really work for me, dawg”?

Here’s the beauty of a complete recasting of the judging panel, an advantage I pointed out among a list of tips for saving the show at the end of a lackluster season nine.

By hiring three new judges the show would triple its chances of finding someone who clicks with viewers the way Simon did instead of putting all its eggs into one Harry Connick Jr. basket.

Ellen wasn’t the answer, and I doubt viewers will miss her any more than they’d miss the absense of Kara.

Hey, funny lady. She delivered some memorable one-liners during her time on the show, like comparing Tim Urban to a fourth shot of tequila.

But the one-liners came off as a little too rehearsed, and she was clearing uncomfortable handing out criticism.

She admitted as much in her explanation for leaving the show.

Reports are that Ellen will be replaced by actor-singer Jennifer Lopez.

Of course, earlier this week, we heard that Jessica Simpson might be in the running for a judge’s post.

Yep, the Jessica Simpson of “Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica” fame. The Jessica Simpson whose post-divorce relationship with Tony Romo got more attention than most of her music. The Jessica Simpson whose career musical highlight came singing “These Boots Are Made for Walking” in short shorts.

And how many other names have we heard since the announcement of Simon’s departure? Elton John. Howard Stern. Donald Trump. Justin Timberlake.

I’ll wait for the official announcement.

Which could come as early as Monday, when Fox presents its 2010-11 programs to the Television Critics Association.