SHAKE THINGS UP

We've been with "American Idol" for four years now, and, frankly, it's starting to become routine. This year's new way of arriving at the top 12 -- with the judges picking 24 contestants and viewers voting them off to create the finalists -- was a lungful of fresh air. But why stop there? Pair unlikely contestants and have them sing duets. Give the musicians the week off and have the singers perform a cappella. Give everyone the week off and bring back voted-off contestants to have viewers pick the best to return for a second chance. Make the judges -- gulp -- sing. Our love affair with "Idol" can thrive by keeping the relationship fresh.

VARY THE THEMES

Let's also shake up the show's weekly song-selection themes. Ideally, they should give us a chance to evaluate the contestants' musical range as well as talent -- and sometimes make them uncomfortable. (Remember how lost Bice looked when the theme was "classic musicals"?) Genre-based themes -- disco, soul, hard rock -- are the best way to do that. Too many themes this season focused on a broad time period, which did nothing to challenge the singers. If a contestant specializes in sappy ballads and the theme is "music of the '60s," he'll just pick a sappy ballad from the '60s. But make him sing heavy metal, and you have a real show. Oh, and while we're revamping the themes, let's have the schmo who got voted off each week pick the next week's theme for the remaining contestants -- just for a bit of revenge.

COME CLEAN

The show could avoid much of the controversy it generates each season simply by being less secretive. Tell us more about the singers' musical experience, such as Constantine Maroulis' starring stint in the touring version of "Rent." Tell us how many votes each contestant received each week. Tell us everything. We're dying to know.

TELL IT TO THE JUDGES

Three words: Dump Paula Abdul. Her vacuous comments and embarrassing behavior during performances justified the sentiment even before she was accused of improprieties by a former contestant. As for the other judges, Randy Jackson's OK, but some coaching could do wonders for his limited vocabulary. ("Dawg!"It was a little pitchy."It was just a'ight for me." That would be it.) Don't change Simon Cowell, who can be a jerk but usually tells it like it is. (And why does everyone still call them judges, when all they do once the show reaches the top 24 is provide commentary?)

GET OUT THE VOTE

Why can't we simply vote for the singer whom we think should go? The current build-up voting, in which viewers pick their favorite and the singer receiving the fewest votes leaves, seems backward -- at least, until there are, say, three contestants left.

WATCH THE GLITZ

With big ratings come big productions, and "Idol" seemed particularly bloated this year. Let's scale back on the number of musicians (said to be 33 one week) and the overblown arrangements and get back to the basics.

GO BEHIND THE SCENES

Let's look around more. Give us a glimpse, say, at the makeover that transformed Scott Savol from a frumpy boy 'n' the hood to one hip-looking dude. Tell us more about how the production works, especially how legal issues can affect the song a contestant chooses. Show us more of the pre-auditions so we can see the people not good -- or bad -- enough to get a final say from the judges.

COME TO MINNESOTA

"American Idol" has never held auditions in the Twin Cities. It's long past time to change that. Just imagine the scene if they were held at the Mall of America. Producers extraordinaire Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis could be guest judges. It would be quite a spectacle for shoppers. We'd even show up -- to watch, not sing.