There's definitely a different dynamic at the judges' table this year.
Before, the judges — OK, maybe just one judge — seemed to want those auditioning to be scared to death. But the crew that made its debut with Idol's 10th-season launch Wednesday on Fox — the returning Randy Jackson, plus actress/singer Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler— wants the hopefuls to like them, not fear them.
(A tip to contestants: If you want to know how you're doing as you sing, all you have to do is look at Tyler's face. That guy's an open book.)
During the Idol off-season, the producers and judges alike swore up and down that the show wasn't replacing Simon Cowell. And it didn't. It replaced Paula Abdul.
Twice.
To judge from the opening auditions, Lopez comes off like a more businesslike version of the supportive, nurturing Abdul, who left Idol after the 2009 season — lots of tears and hugs, and she struggles with having to say some obvious no's, but she has constructive things to say to even the worst contestants.
Tyler, on the other hand, brings back the goofy unpredictability that was Abdul's stock-in-trade during her eight seasons on the show. He gets directly involved with the auditions — drumming on the desk, harmonizing, providing backing vocals, whatever he thinks the contestants need. He's willing to be "brutally honest," but he's also not above lightheartedly mocking auditioners — or flirting with the females: "Where's your pitchfork, you sexy devil?" he asks one.
And Randy, the senior member of the panel, is the traffic cop, the guy who keeps things moving and reins in the other judges when things get a little silly. Unlike the past couple seasons, where the judges often appeared awkward together — almost as if they were working at cross purposes — this crew seems to genuinely get along, even if they're a softer touch than previous panels, much more willing to send somebody through on their personality.
Idol returns tonight (8 ET/PT) with auditions from New Orleans. In a make-or-break season, the USA's biggest TV show just took a big step toward getting back on track.
