Taylor Hicks
Photo: Vince Bucci/ Getty Images

"American Idol" is a cultural phenomenon and a ratings juggernaut, but let's face it, it ain't perfect. There are singers who can't sing, judges who don't judge and, well, whatever that whole Meatloaf thing was at last season's finale.

While the show's sixth season is already going strong, critics and fans have questioned how long it can last (see " 'American' Invincible? 'Idol' Watchers Weigh In On Show's Shelf Life"). And since "Idol" does seem to be the thing everyone has an opinion on, we thought we'd ask some people close to the show or the music industry in general what they'd change if they were in charge.

Surprisingly, no one suggested bringing Brian Dunkleman back.

Taylor Hicks, season-five winner: "I would probably allow people to play instruments. For me, there's a couple different aspects to my entertaining, two of them being harmonica and guitar. That could be a cool possibility."

David Bloomberg, editor of fan site FoxesOnIdol.com: "I'm not a big fan of the bad auditions. We could be done with those in a week and it would make me quite happy. Also, let us get to know all of the semi-finalists before we start to vote, to make it fair. I would suggest adding a special hour before the voting shows begin to give us short intros to all the remaining contestants. That way we don't have a situation where we've seen and heard a lot about a few contestants while others are brand new to us when they sing for our votes. Finally, Ryan Seacrest needs to stop taking himself so seriously and trying to outdo Simon with his jabs and insults. Enough already."

Randy Jackson, "American Idol" judge: "I could definitely live without [the celebrity guest judges]. I mean, the show works because it's the three of us on the panel, and what we do and how we interact. I think when people come into the arena that we judge in, it's often a little awkward and a little hard for them. I think people look at the show as a fan and go, 'I could do that. I'd love to be there.' It's almost like saying, 'I could be a pitcher.' Actually, I couldn't. I don't even know if I could pitch Little League. I mean, yes, you could do it, but is it going to be great or are you just there for the TV face time?"

JoJo Wright, on-air personality at KIIS-FM, Los Angeles: "Give out a William Hung Award [to the worst singer] at the completion of the audition process. Perhaps have William Hung present the award, himself."

DJSlim (real name: Brent Natzle), editor of IdolBlogLive.com: "I would eliminate all the auditions we have to watch, and of course there would be a huge overhaul to the voting system. Right now it isn't fair that people can vote literally thousands of times for their favorite Idol. Shows like 'Nashville Star' have been successful and they limit the number of votes people can cast. The biggest thing I would change with 'Idol,' though, would be allowing the contestants to use the Internet to blog about their experience on the show. 'Rock Star: Supernova' allowed the contestants to blog and it really helped to get to know the individual singers. Blogging is huge right now and 'Idol' needs to see that and take advantage of it. Instead of getting upset and suing blog owners, grow up and allow the contestants to blog about the show. Who cares if we find out any of the show's secrets?"

Paris Bennett, season-five finalist: "I love that people can call in and vote, but that is very, very controversial. So I'd redo the voting thing. And the genres they pick — our show was good, but we had these slow weeks, love-song week, and sometimes they're stupid."

Bryan-Michael Cox, songwriter/producer (Mariah Carey, Chris Brown): "I would focus more on the positive in the beginning. We think the negative stuff is hilarious, but when you're in the process of launching careers, you shouldn't take the seriousness out of it. You know, William Hung got a record deal, but that could have gone to someone with talent who could be building a career right now."

Todd Brabec, executive vice president/membership, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP): "It would be great to integrate contemporary songwriters into the show who can help write original material specifically suited to the finalists. They could show a behind-the-scenes look at the songwriting process and how it helps to shape the artist. I understand the producers are introducing a national songwriting competition into the mix this year, and that is a step in the right direction."

Ace Young, season-five finalist: "I'd change the food they gave the contestants. We didn't get much for breakfast, it was all crescent rolls and fruit. And I'd change the sleeping arrangements. We slept on beds smaller than a twin mattress and I shared a room with Chris [Daughtry] with my feet hanging off the bed. That was the worst thing about the whole deal."

Greg Wells, producer (Deftones, the Pussycat Dolls): "If I ran 'American Idol,' I would immediately ban all Broadway show tunes from being performed."

And finally ... you.: Write in to You Tell Us and explain what you would change about "American Idol."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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• American Idols Aren't Staying Idle
• 'American Idol' Alumni Report

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• Randy Jackson
• Ace Young
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Ryan Seacrest
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

A year ago, as "American Idol" was about to embark on its fifth stint, many wondered whether it would be the season the show lost its luster.

We all know how that turned out.

Even without the headline-dominating scandals of the previous season (see " 'Idol' Probe Finds No Proof Of Paula Abdul/ Corey Clark Affair" and "Mario Vazquez Quits 'Idol' — 'It Wasn't Right For Me' "), the show's ratings rose nearly 20 percent and even slaughtered the Grammys when both aired the same night. In fact, it was estimated that half the teens watching TV on Tuesday and Wednesday nights last spring (with an average of 100 channels per home) were watching Taylor Hicks' journey to "Idol"-dom. So is it finally time to stop wondering when Ryan Seacrest and company are going away?

"I think it could be like Kellogg's," said Ron Fair, the A&R guru behind Christina Aguilera and the Pussycat Dolls, comparing "Idol" to the century-old cereal brand. "They have created something that is just so intrinsic in everybody's consciousness now, and I don't even think 'How long will it last?' is a relevant question. I think this thing goes on forever. There may be peaks and valleys, depending on who is on the show, but it's like 'Monday Night Football.' "

Not surprisingly, Randy Jackson, one of the show's primary personalities, agrees. "I think there's an abundance of talent in America, and there will never not be a lot of talent out there," he said. "You see what's happening to Jennifer Hudson, who didn't even win that year. That tells you right there there's a lot of great talent out there. It's just about finding it."

And as the show is increasingly legitimized by things like Hudson's star-making turn in "Dreamgirls" (see "Jennifer Hudson's 'Dream' Is Reality: R&B Album, Starring With Beyonce, Jamie Foxx"); the success of fourth-place finisher Chris Daughtry (see "Chris Daughtry Says 'Idol' Ejection Was 'Best Thing' For Him; Talks LP"); and Prince's appearance on last season's finale, Jackson insists the auditioning talent only gets better.

"For years, everyone has been skeptical," said Clive Davis, the legendary mogul who has overseen several former "Idol" finalists' albums for J Records and RCA. "But I am telling you, for us it has been an incredible opportunity to find new artists."

So with an endless pool of future Kelly Clarksons to choose from, is it possible "Idol" really could become an establishment as American as "Monday Night Football," which just wrapped its 37th season (see "At The Rate It's Going, Will 'Idol' Ever Face Competition?")? "I have seen nothing to indicate that 'Idol' will be slowing down anytime soon," said David Bloomberg, editor of fan site FoxesOnIdol.com. "If the public were to lose confidence in the voting, that could hurt it. But it would take a lot for that to happen. Every year there is a 'shocking' elimination and some people say it's rigged and they're never watching again. And then each year those people are right there in front of their TVs once again. It would take some huge revelation to kill the show at this point."

DJSlim, who writes a popular "Idol" blog at Idol.Slimtainment.com, agreed that the often-questioned voting system, in which Americans are allowed to vote as many times as possible, could lead to the show's demise. "Seriously, imagine for a second if William Hung had won 'American Idol' due to power voters," DJSlim said, referencing people who interfere with the voting lines. "No one would take the show seriously, and that could be a problem down the road with unlimited voting and sites like VotefortheWorst.com, which pimp the worst contestants to prove that point."

JoJo Wright, who, like Seacrest, hosts a radio show on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles, suggested another potential concern. "The only immediate scenario I see that could dethrone 'Idol' is losing Simon," he said, referring to acid-tongued but widely popular judge Simon Cowell. "All the characters have become household names, but Simon is the central figure that the show revolves around."

Andrew Wallenstein, television editor for The Hollywood Reporter, agrees. "I think people watch 'American Idol' as much for the judges as the contestants," he said. "Someone like Simon Cowell is such a character in his own right that [he could] read the phone book and people would tune in."

Cowell's contract with "Idol" lasts another four seasons, but with so many other projects in the works (from his classical boy band Il Divo to "America's Got Talent" to huge British hit "The X Factor"), there's no guarantee he'll renew again.

Lorraine Ali, a pop culture critic for Newsweek, is less focused on Simon and more on music trends in general. "I don't think it can keep going — it's going to have to evolve into something else," she said. "We go through phases where, culturally, we want to uncover stars who are like you and me. And then we go through phases where we want super-polished stars. I think it kicks back and forth. And what happens with 'American Idol,' [the contestants] come out like they're like you and me, and then three months later they get their teeth fixed and their hair's been streaked in all different ways. Maybe that will be the downfall of 'American Idol': too much primping. They start out normal and then become too celebrity too fast."

Fair, however, has overseen a number of musical movements, and he's not concerned about cultural phases.

" 'American Idol' is genius because it takes singing songs and basically turns it into sports, where it's a competition," he explained. "We all know in real life music is not a sporting event, but on the show they are able to flip the elements around so that you get the same buzz you get off watching a game as you do watching music getting performed. I am jealous that it's not my show. And as much as I am not a fan of many of the winners, I think it is an absolute genius, ubiquitous institution."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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• "Idol" Hopefuls Line Up For Open Auditions At The Pasadena Rose Bowl
• Backstage At The American Idols Live Tour Rehearsals
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