His daughter Mia Tyler seems to think so. The Aerosmith front man’s doting daughter made some comments about her dad outshining the other judges.

“He’s the funniest man I know. He’s saving the show because it was kind of boring before. There’s only so many times you can watch Simon be mean to people,” she said.

Steven Tyler is no Simon Cowell but he definitely has had some of his “mean moments.” As far as him saving the show, I don’t know about that just yet. The Idol judges seem to work because they have better chemistry than the Simon, Paula and Randy combination but there’s no one judge who is out shining the other. We’re also in a weird phase right now with regard to Idol because this is the beginning, when the ratings are guaranteed to be super high. Most people are watching just to see the sad individuals who come out in droves to audition that have no business trying to sing.

Do you think Steven Tyler is saving the tenth season of Idol?

So now that we got the Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler as new American Idol judges hype out of the way, let’s talk about why we miss Simon Cowell. Don’t get me wrong, Lopez and Tyler have been entertaining but the energy that Simon Cowell brought to the show, without even trying, was amazing. The thing with Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson together is that they’re all a lot more human. And while that’s great, you still need at least one jerk–not someone who tries to hard to be sardonic but someone who is just naturally a cynic, like Simon. The new judges seem genuine enough but Simon Cowell’s absence is glaring. Here are three reasons why we miss him on the show already:
1. Smugness

Simon embodied that stereotypically British rigid smug attitude to a t, which is what made the auditions funny before they even started. As soon as contestants walked into the room you could feel him silently judging them. He never had to try to be a personality because his wry persona was enough to make his presence known in a unique way.

2. Unpredictability

While most people try to be insulting, Simon Cowell was naturally so. It’s almost like he was born that way. But what was great about that trait was that you never knew what was going to come out of his mouth, even when the singers were good. That element of suspense was a nice addition to the panel.
3. Brash Honesty

Steven Tyler has stepped up to the plate this season in terms of no holds barred honesty but he’s not as effective as Simon because it’s almost like he’s joking. Simon’s thing was he’d be honest, insulting and he meant it. Being mean isn’t always the best way to get a message across but in the case of talentless people who think they are more talented than they really are (because either they’re just delusional, or family and friends have lied to them for years), sometimes they need it straight with extra emphasis to get the point across.

What do you think of the new judges so far?

All eyes will be on the new American Idol judges next month, especially Jennifer Lopez. Speculation is she’s a new millennium Paula Abdul, musically, and she’ll probably fill that same spot on the show–as in, she’ll play it safe. From the brief clip below, that theory doesn’t seem too far-fetched.

Season 10 of American Idol returns on January 19, without Simon, of course. Old-school favorites  Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson will return while  Steven Tyler rounds out the addition of new judges. How do you feel about the show’s new lineup?

Fox announced, shortly before Labor Day weekend kicked off, that Kara DioGuardi is the latest judge to confirm she is not returning to the show.

“I felt like I won the lottery when I joined American Idol two years ago, but I feel like now is the best time to leave Idol,” said DioGuardi, in a statement released by Fox. “I am very proud to have been associated with American Idol — it has truly been an amazing experience. I am grateful to FOX, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, as well as the cast, crew and contestants, for all they have given to me. I look forward to my next challenge, and want to thank everyone who has supported me. All the best to everyone on Season 10!”

Initially, it seemed that the focus was replacing Simon Cowell but then it was announced that Ellen DeGeneres wouldn’t return and that Jennifer Lopez would be the replacement. Now the word is, Jennifer Lopez isn’t joining the cast because of her diva demands. Plus, DioGuardi is leaving. Randy Jackson is the only confirmed judge at the moment. With so many rumors and speculations swirling it sounds like American Idol might be a sinking ship.

Season 10 callbacks for Idol begin mid-September and the show is scheduled to air January 2011. Choosing the right line up of judges could make or break the show but it seems like Idol is dangerously close to jumping the shark anyway. I’ve said this before, but I wouldn’t be surprised if producers let speculation mount about judges until the day the first episode premieres. That would be good for ratings. At this point they probably need it. Public interest is waning.

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Ellen DeGeneres has stepped down from her role as judge on American Idol (insert sad face here) after only serving one season of a multiseason deal. DeGeneres joined the panel last season but according to Fox, American Idol producers felt like it wasn’t the right fit for her.

“I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next. It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings. I loved the experience working on Idol and I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be,” said DeGeneres.

Fox released a statement of its own: “We love Ellen and understand and support her decision to bow out of Idol,” said Peter Rice, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Networks Group. “We were fortunate to receive the humor, energy and love for talent that she brought to the show.”

Hours after knowledge of DeGereneres’ departure became public, news broke that Jennifer Lopez has signed a deal to join Idol’s judging panel for the upcoming season.

Lopez served as an Idol mentor on Latin night during the show’s sixth season. She got mostly positive reviews for her warm, candid style, and her ability to extract a not entirely terrible performance of Sanjaya Malakar’s version of “Bésame Mucho.”

Ellen D will definitely be missed but in the words of my fellow scribe, Michael Arceneaux, “Jennifer Lopez was always the 90s answer to Paula Abdul anyway,” so doesn’t it make sense that she’d step up to the plate?

The real curve ball is going to come when Simon Cowell’s replacement is announced. Who should that be?

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La Toya Jackson is about as musical as a broken tape deck, but nevertheless wants to take over Simon Cowell’s job should he quit American Idol.

The older sister of Michael Jackson told TMZ: “I would LOVE to be a judge on American Idol.”

Toy-Toy says it would give people a chance to know the real her.

As sweet and funny as LaToya seems to be the real her has never been known as a great singer, dancer, songwriter, or performer so what could she offer Idol?

The fan’s perspective? They’ve already used that excuse for Ellen DeGeneres.

Some people could argue Paula Abdul was never the best singer, but those folks don’t know the brilliance that is her collaboration with MC Skat Kat. Not to mention Paula helped Janet Jackson develop what’s come to be her signature dance style all the while selling 50 million albums in her own right.

I don’t see it for LaToya.

In other Idol related news, Randy Jackson (no, the other one) says he misses Paula but warned that all of this talk about judges distracts away from the point of the show.

On whether or not Simon is leaving, Randy said:

“I really don’t know until I hear it from him…The rumors get so wild and crazy, you just don’t know what to believe. It is pretty much a distraction. I think people get a little side-tracked with that. Let’s also focus on what we are judging and what the actual heartbeat of the show really is, and it is about finding that next superstar talent.”

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Randy Jackson must be thrilled, because MTV has renewed his hit reality TV show, America’s Best Dance Crew for a 5th season. Auditions were held earlier this month. Last season emphasized diversity based on the first LGBT crew called Vogue Evolution, a Latin dance crew called AfroBoriké, and the first all female crew who won, We Are Heroes. However, according to The Examiner, who was on the scene at auditions, it’s not clear what the range of crews will be just yet. (Can you really top Vogue Evolution?) So far, the callbacks for season five, which took place Dec 6 have seen Cuban influenced dance crews, “loyal citizens of Zamunda,” and some repeat auditioners like The Hype, from Hawaii, who came back for a third try.

America’s Best Dance Crew premieres on January 28. Once you’ve seen one season at this point, you’ve seen them all—unless an all ballet dancing crew somehow figures out how to get in there with interesting hip-hop inspired routines—but I am looking forward to the acrobatics that will ensue from the usual break dancing suspects. I’m also anticipating the extreme amusement that I’ll get from Lil Mama who is unintentionally hilarious. Her choice of fashion (like bird feathers and nests pinned atop her hair), random emotional outbursts and her circular, sometimes nonsensical commentary will keep me just as entertained as the dancers. She’s the most entertaining judge the reality TV world has seen thus far but I digress.

Will you watch the show?

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I’ve never really been into MTV’s Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew or as I like to call it, Randy Jackson’s So You Think You Can Steal Paula Abdul’s Swag and Get Away With It.

Not because it’s not a good show; I get the entertainment value of it.

It’s just personally I’d rather watch people pop and lock on command at the club — or on some video site minutes at a time. My ADD game is so proper.

But, come August 16 I’ll be tuning into the MTV favorite because the entire episode is dedicated to Queen Bey.

Beyonce will be the sole artist spotlighted that night and she’ll be seen delivering taped personal messages to each crew.

The songs each crew will perform include, “Crazy In Love,” “Single Ladies,” “Déjà Vu,” “Beautiful Liar,” and “Sweet Dreams.”

Of all the crews set to perform, I’m most interested in seeing Vogue Evolution.

The crew is the first all-gay male group to appear on the series and includes one transsexual member.

This is your cue to snap for the kids, say “yaaasss,” “I live,” or some other form of gay slang, boots.

I don’t think I got that last one right, but hey, I tried it.

Anyhow, call it a hunch, but I think Vogue Evolution will probably out twirk every other crew on Beyonce’s night.

Will you be tuning in?

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Word is out that Paula Abdul is not happy with her post at American Idol, and if producers don’t renegotiate her contract favorably, she may not return to the show as a judge.

Auditions for the ninth season are scheduled to start Aug. 6 and according to Abdul’s manager, she still doesn’t have a proposal for a new contract from FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, the production companies behind the show. The new season is scheduled to premiere in January.

According to the LA Times “Idol Tracker” blog, Idol host Ryan Seacrest just signed a deal worth a reported $45 million that will keep him on the job for at least the next three years, doubling his salary. Meanwhile, Simon Cowell has a contract that expires next year and is jockeying for a reported $144 million, a figure for which Cowell hasn’t confirmed but says talks are ongoing, and Randy Jackson is booked through 2011.

Whether the newest judge, Kara DioGuardi will return or not is still up in the air. But if these reports are true, it sounds like Abdul isn’t being valued as much as other judges. I think Idol’s sister show, So You Think You Can Dance has better judges anyway, but I digress. The truth is, Paula Abdul has always been the weakest link. She became known as the nice judge, but nice to a fault. Her critiques were often not thorough and sometimes incoherent. Producers may have tolerated her because she hadn’t demanded anymore money until now, but now that she is, they could be weighing their options, realizing that bringing her back as a judge may not be a priority.

I’m glad that Abdul is fighting for what she thinks is right, because if other judges are successfully upping the ante, then she should too. However, it’s probably just her time to move on. In 2007, she forayed further into reality TV with the Bravo show, Hey Paula, which was unsuccessful, but her manager says she has several ideas for other projects.

I think she’s still marketable but her days as an Idol judge are numbered. She was never a judge that I checked for anyway. What do you think? If she leaves Idol, will her presence be missed?

Kris Allen is officially the eighth American Idol, and seemed shocked that it wasn’t his opponent, Adam Lambert. I think it was Allen’s rendition of Kanye West’s “Heartless” that got America because it was an unusual song choice for him but he performed it the way it initially should have been sung, and showed his talent (and marketability) in a new light. Speaking of unusual, before winners were announced, viewers were treated (or not) to musical mash-ups between Idol castoffs and musical icons. Allison Iraheta performed with Cyndi Lauper (and sounded really good), Danny Gokey and Lionel Richie performed a Richie medley (it was OK), and my favorite was Queen Latifah and Lil Rounds singing “Cue the Rain.” There were times when they seemed a little out of sync, but it was good overall. Both women looked really good too, especially Brick House Latifah. See for yourself: