‘American Idol’ Fans Demand Complete Overhaul of Judging Panel

As American Idol inches toward its season finale, long-time viewers are voicing their frustrations online—loudly and collectively.

The once-iconic talent show is facing backlash from a segment of its fanbase who feel that the spark, the edge, and most of all, the honesty in judging have slowly vanished.

Now, those fans are demanding that the current panel of judges—Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie—either step up or step aside.

A Softer Judging Panel Isn’t Cutting It

In various online threads, fans have been echoing a familiar sentiment: the show no longer holds contestants accountable the way it used to. The feedback, they argue, has become overly sanitized, almost rehearsed, and far too complimentary.

One fan summed it up best: “I was really hoping the judges would push them a bit more. I don’t necessarily need a Simon style of criticism but a little tough love would have made this season better in my opinion.”

That opinion wasn’t an outlier. Many joined the chorus, reminiscing about earlier seasons when Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and even Paula Abdul delivered feedback that, while sometimes harsh, often helped singers improve.

According to one viewer, “Early seasons they always provided proper feedback. Post Simon, they never provide useful critique even if they’re making the decisions.”

Carrie Gets Some Credit—Lionel, Not So Much

While the comments leaned heavily toward criticism, not every judge was equally scrutinized. Carrie Underwood received some appreciation from fans who felt she at least attempted to offer genuine critiques.

Some viewers even favored her presence over Lionel Richie, describing him as “nice” but questioning whether that niceness translates into effective judging.

Another added, “They aren’t as brutal as past judges, they praise even weak performances and song choices. I’m not saying you need a Simon but sometimes you need a Randy that can call you out saying he just don’t feel it dawg? You know?”

Is the Voting System Broken Too?

The larger concern among fans goes beyond just the panel. Many feel that the voting process has devolved into a popularity contest, sidelining vocal talent for fanbase size and social media clout.

One disillusioned viewer put it bluntly: “Idol is terrible now. The judges just praise the singers no matter what. They are so scared that if they offer negative advice their own popularity will plummet.”

Despite scattered defenses of the current format, the overwhelming feedback this season points to one thing: the audience wants authenticity back.

Whether that means tougher feedback, more balanced critiques, or simply judges who are willing to be honest, the fans are making their voices heard—and hoping American Idol listens before the final curtain call.

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