on idol

Many people thought Simon Cowell’s departure from “American Idol” would spell the end for TV’s No. 1 show. I wasn’t one of them.

Some said Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez wouldn’t be able to revive the show’s popularity. Again, I wasn’t among them.

Some went so far as to say ‘American Idol” was old news. Whatever!

I was one of the nearly 27 million viewers who tuned in last Thursday night to see the top 13 finalists named for Season 10. Oh, and “Idol” crushed its network competition, too. Nielson ratings showed the show posted a 29 percent increase in viewership over last season’s similar broadcast. Simon who?

Cowell may have made “American Idol” what it is, but he’s not the only one who could do the job. I applaud Tyler and Lopez for bringing a new interest in the show and for proving that “Idol’s” days are not over. They could also be credited for giving some legitimacy to Randy Jackson. I think he’s finally toeing the mark as a judge.

I have enjoyed watching Tyler and Lopez bring their own thoughts to the contestants and finally get a group of finalists who well represent America. Season 10’s diverse group of finalists are perhaps the finest the show has had.

Jimmy Iovine, chairman at Interscope Geffen A&M Records, said he wanted to make “Idol” different and perhaps get 10 winners. He may have gotten his wish, considering how awesome the finalists are this time.

The top 13 include (in the order they were named by Ryan Seacrest) Scott McCreery, Pia Toscana, Lauren Alaina, Karen Rodriguez, Jacob Lusk, Casey Abrams, Thia Megia, Paul McDonald, Haley Reinhart, James Durbin, Ashton Jones, Stefano Langone and Naima Adedapo.

The top 10 were all named by America’s vote, but it was made known that Tyler, Lopez and Jackson were going to make a few additions, allowing a wild card to be added. In this case, three were added of which Jones, Langone and Adedapo joined the coveted finalists. Not too shabby considering more than 125,000 people auditioned for those very spots.

I believe any of these finalists could be named the next “American Idol.” I’d be satisfied with almost any of them, but I still have my favorites. It wouldn’t be “AI” if you didn’t.

If I were to guess right the top three, I would have to say Pia Toscano, Lauren Alaina and James Durbin. Toscano’s performance of “I’ll Stand By You” blew me away

Photos of Jenifer Lopez