Three changes ‘American Idol’ must make

Up until, now it’s been mostly easy to argue for “American Idol’s” place in the zeitgeist, given its steady ratings, solid track record and ability to draw some of the music industry’s biggest acts.

But “Idol,” for us to go on, I need some change I can believe in. Changes of the tangible, salient variety for next season, otherwise, I’m out.

You didn’t ask, but here are three things you might want to consider.

Never bring back a former Idol
When you parade the ghosts of Idols past before us, all it does is serve as a reminder for how unsuccessful Idols on the whole have been. For every Kelly Clarkson there are multiple versions of Taylor Hicks, and when he appears on stage, I’m blinded by the expiration date that appears in neon lights on the forehead of the feckless hopeful beside him. This show is about looking forward, not back. When you give us past winners, you take away the illusion of success.

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Rotate the judges
Once we get to the final 25, if it’s really America who decides the contestants’ fates, then why do all four judges need to be at the table? There is so little about this show that is unexpected — let’s make who shows up from one week to the next a surprise. And with three judges, that gives Paula Abdul (if she shows when she should) the chance to yammer on a little more.

For the love of God, please cut the final song
Slideshow: ‘American Idol’ finale The only thing phenomenal about the final song of the competition — whether written by Kara DioGuardi or a competition winner — is how phenomenally bad it is. It’s tough enough to get excited watching the finale, aka “90 seconds of excitement packed into two hours that you’ll never be able to get back.” Why make it harder by forcing the finalists to choke out a tune that wouldn’t get them past the first round of auditions? And worse yet, record it as their first single, then stand by, watching no one buy it. If there is one thing all the judges agree on, it’s that song choice is everything. So I beg of you. Let. The. Singers. Choose. If you don’t, I fear next season, more people will choose to watch something else, and it will be hard to find fault with that.

Keeping tabs: Us Weekly creates a monster
Like a dog with a bone, Us Weekly won’t let the Jon and Kate Gosselin story go away. For the fourth consecutive week, Us has panned from that murky reality show river, and this time, they struck gold.

Slideshow: Celebrity Sightings “Mom to Monster” is the headline, tapping into the common suspicion that looking into the celebrity spotlight transforms a person. And let’s be honest, the before-and-after images of Gosselin, while a touch horrifying, are intriguing enough to make readers want to buy the magazine and look inside for more.

The week’s most curious cover goes to People — Bristol Palin? In cap and gown? Really? If it ran when she was making the talk-show rounds a few weeks back, that would be one thing. Now it just feels out of context. Moreover, the Palins don’t sell well on the newsstand, which makes this coverage feel strange.

Courtney Hazlett delivers the Scoop Monday through Friday on msnbc.com. Follow Scoop on Twitter: @ courtneyatmsnbc.