By WALT BELCHER
Media General News Service

Published: May 2, 2008

What would “American Idol” be without Paula Abdul’s flighty flubs, Simon Cowell’s snarky frankness, Randy Jackson calling everybody “dawg” and Ryan Seacrest being, well, Ryan Seacrest?

Better? Worse? About the same because it’s really about the contestants?

Frankly, I dunno.

The media has been abuzz this week over reports that “Idol” producers are doing market research that could lead to possible tweaks in the most-watched show on television.

There is speculation about cast and format changes. Sometimes I think this kind of little flap is part of a clever marketing strategy to create speculation and thereby keep “Idol” in the news.

After the fiasco Tuesday night, it appears that tinkering with the format can be dangerous. Instead of the usual padded-out show that makes remote-control trigger fingers itch, Fox crammed in 10 performances along with those kiss-up-to-the-mentor segments (this time with Neil Diamond).

Seacrest had to move at warp-speed, and poor Abdul got even more confused than she usually is.

Having the wannabes perform two songs each changed the way the judges were to offer their critiques. Abdul says they were thrown a “curveball” when they were asked to quickly sum up the first half of the show — after originally being told they would critique the contestants at the end.

Abdul was visibly nervous and confused about the switch. In summing up the first round of songs, she apparently liked Jason Castro’s first song, but then she fumbled forward and panned his second performance, which hadn’t happened yet. This resulted in more confusion with Randy, Simon and Ryan all jumping into the fray.

It appeared that she was working off notes that were written before hearing the contestants’ live performances.

This has conspiracy theorists — those who think “Idol” is rigged — working overtime. Were the notes made during the dress rehearsal? Was she working off a predetermined script? Or had she slipped through a crack in the space-time continuum?

Calling in to Seacrest’s Los Angeles radio show Wednesday, Abdul said she made an “honest mistake.” Abdul told him that she wrote notes on Castro and another performer on the same card, and was simply “confused” as she gave her feedback. That won’t fly with those who think Abdul should be replaced. Is this the end for Abdul?

I think not. Despite her flaky behavior, she still has a following. She also remains the most memorable female reality show judge on TV. Her trips to the twilight zone are part of the show.

People complain that her opinions are worthless. Well, duh. This is not the Supreme Court of music. She’s there to play Pollyanna to Simon’s Scrooge. I’m trying to imagine any other credible celebrity judge in that slot, and I can’t think of one who could pull it off and still be subservient to Cowell.

And there is that judge-you-love-to-dump-on factor. Watching Abdul self-destruct is great sport for some.

If any of the players on this show were replaced, the ratings would probably drop even more.

The 7 percent dip in ratings this season is probably a result of just the normal wear and tear that comes when a series is on seven seasons. “Idol” is still the biggest show on television.

But if producers are going to tinker, let them drop those painful “mentor” episodes. I’m all for helping out the career of aging performers and introducing a younger generation to the music of their parents and grandparents — but just let the oldsters perform and leave out the meaningless fawning in those coaching clips.

And they could put a ban on Jackson’s overuse of the term “a little pitchy” — whatever that means.

WALT BELCHER is a staff writer for The Tampa Tribune