Its ratings are in decline. The talent pool appears to be drying up. And poor Paula Abdul has become nothing more than a punchline.

Yes, it appears the phenomenon known as “American Idol” is waning a bit these days.

Part of that decline stems from the show becoming stale, thanks to the same old theme nights, the same old contrived personalities and same old lame judges' comments. If the show's producers wanted to freshen up “Idol” when its seventh season premieres on Tuesday, Jan. 15, they might try the following five suggestions.
 

FEWER THEME NIGHTS

THE 210 TAKE: Do we really need to see (insert awkward white guy) trying to salsa and sing simultaneously during Latin night or (insert preppy Northerner) trying to stave off elimination – and humiliation – on country night? Once an “Idol” season runs its course, its participants will attempt to establish careers in one particular genre of music. So why not let them hone their skills in that particular genre while the show still is ongoing?

ODDS: Non-existent. Not when some of last season's themes led to highly publicized appearances by Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani and Bono.

SO LONG, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

THE 210 TAKE: While some “Idol” seasons (most notably the third and sixth) were dominated by female talent, others (most notably the second and fifth) provided an opportunity for the men to shine. Even so, “Idol” producers insisted on dividing up the final 12 equally by gender. Talent, not gender, should qualify someone for “Idol's” final 12. If that means nine women and three men, so be it.

ODDS: Not so good, if only because the first gender to get slighted is going to give Fox hell for it.

MORE GUEST JUDGES

THE 210 TAKE: Simon Cowell remains entertaining, and Paula Abdul – if only because she seems to have taken enough sedatives to tranquilize a horse – is always good for a laugh. Even Randy Jackson, when not bragging about his time in Journey (why someone would brag about playing in Journey is anyone's guess) or “yo, Dawg”-ing us to death, is tolerable. But why not bring in a fourth wheel more often, someone who is not only camera savvy and recognizable but who can also shake up the monotony a bit? After all, we can only watch Paula slur her words so many times before someone must interject.

ODDS: Decent, though a catty Simon taking verbal jabs at a visibly disoriented Paula does make for good television.

NO MORE FORD COMMERCIALS

THE 210 TAKE: Whoever came up with those lame Ford commercials that run during “Idol,” the ones in which the contestants sing and dance cheesily while acting out some strange scenario involving a Ford vehicle, needs to be sent to the land of misfit advertising executives.  They make the “Idol” contestants look like nothing more than teenybopper puppets. OK, so they are nothing more than teenybopper puppets, but the point remains.

ODDS: Zero. Ford pays Fox to run those in-show ads, and if money can reunite Van Halen, it sure can keep commercials on the air.

BRING BACK BRIAN DUNKELMAN

THE 210 TAKE: Sure, the co-host of “Idol's” first season was just another talking head, but more camera time for Dunkelman (or anyone, for that matter) means less camera time for Ryan “The Mega Metrosexual” Seacrest. Dunkelman would more than likely be available for the reunion as, according to his IMDB.com page, he was last seen doing a one-off guest spot on “Ghost Whisperer.”

ODDS: Zilch. Can anyone even locate Dunkelman?

Clint Hale | 210SA