Those are some good thought, but I don't know if it would be enough to bring me back. Regardless of the talent, I've seen this dance before - I need something new....at least for me.

What if they tried a theme like rock (or something else) only? I know its been done, but what about the concept of actually having them audition for a group. Rock Star: SuperNova was much better than what Idol is throwing out there.

Another thought: Bring back runners up and dispense with the auditions ciricus. It's fun, but maybe they could change things up and bring back people who did not make the finale (and who don't have enough of a career that they would be beyond this). Maybe you don't come up with enough talent or names to appeal to fans like me.

I REALLY like number 4. You are right on there.

A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.