With DeGeneres gone from 'Idol,' expect even more changes. But is it enough?

Welcome to the Blade blog Culture Shock, a three-times-a-week riff by Pop Culture Editor Kirk Baird on pop culture news, events, and trends. The blog will appear Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings here, with the odd night or off-day posting if something is merited.

So my wife and I are headed to South Bend, Ind., to see a double-bill show of Wilco and opener Yo La Tengo on Friday. I'm looking forward to a great concert.

From there it's off to Chicago for a few days and then back home and back to work.

I know Culture Shock has slowed down tremendously during the summer. The blog has a hit-and-miss affair readers -- mostly miss. I'll resume my normal Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays posting routine soon.

Meanwhile, I've been mulling some ideas in my head for the blog, while, frankly, also taking a breather from it. Consider this my summer break, I suppose.

One reader was kind enough to remind me that I needed to fulfill my promise of posting the remaining American Idol interviews from earlier in July. I'll have Didi and Tim next week. I swear on a stack of Simon Cowell white Ts.

And speaking of Cowell and Idol ... does anyone still second guess his decision to leave the the show? Cowell, who had become the face of American Idol and essentially carried it during some weak seasons, like the one we just had, knew the show was slipping. While still No. 1 overall, Idol is showing its wear and tear from nine seasons atop the ratings.

Rather than go down with a slowly sinking ship, Cowell wisely bolted from the show and will return to Fox next year with his own version of American Idol, X-Factor.

Meanwhile, it's trouble ahead for the Idol judges he left behind.

Former Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe has been asked to return to the show and right the Fox franchise. Lythgoe was essentially fired from Idol a few seasons back as the show made at a fresh start. And in that wonderful thing we call twist o' fate/irony, Lythgoe has made it clear he intends to clean house, too, beginning with a fresh set of judges.

Lythgoe is apparently not wasting any time on the promise. Thursday night it was announced by Fox that Ellen DeGeneres, the failed American Idol experiment of Season Nine, would not be returning to the show. DeGeneres was a judge for only season. The comic had no musical background, which was painfully obvious during many of her wishy-washy, you're-all-winners! critiques. DeGeneres,

says the L.A. Times, apparently wanted off the show as well.

Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, the sole remaining Idol judges, must know what's coming next: exit interviews with the Fox network.

UPDATE: DioGuardi is gone.

Rumors circulate about a number of big-name artists tapped to fill Cowell's shoes and now, apparently, DeGeneres' as well. I don't think that will work, though. How many of the celebrity judges during the audition process, for instance, really added anything to the show? Katy Perry, for all her diva-witchy behavior, was at least entertaining. And in 30 seconds she managed to see more in her day as judge than Joe Jonas did during the entire day. I did enjoy Neil Patrick Harris, and I think he would fit in nicely: smart, funny, sassy (yes, i said "sassy," but think SNL-era Phil Hartman), and with some good vocal chops himself. But, his name has never come up as a possibility.

UPDATE 2: Jennifer Lopez is joining the judging table. TMZ is also reporting that Aerosmith's Steven Tyler is soon to follow, as Idol judge 2.0 continues.

No matter who it is, though, a big-name judge or two amounts to a gimmick. And while the fresh look and star(s) will probably help American Idol initially, as curious viewers tune in, don't expect the good times to last. The ratings reality is that Idol isn't the juggernaut it was. It's the aging athlete trying desperately to keep his skills together for a few more seasons. Meanwhile, the rookie class is looking pretty tough.

A lot will be made next year of the ratings of American Idol and X-Factor. Never mind that the singing talent shows are both on Fox. It'll be "Simon bests his former show," or "Idol tops ex-judge's new show." You know how we the media are; always looking to stir up controversy when we can.

But really, I don't expect it to be much of a fight, at least, long term. X-Factor will prove superior to American Idol in the ratings. Maybe not at first, but it will happen.

It has a lot to do with the Cowell factor, but also the show has an advantage of appearing fresh to the public, even though the format is anything but.

So, there you go, two reasons to tune in to Fox next year. For you Glee fans, that's now three reasons.

That's it for now. I'll be back next Wednesday. I'm also working on ways for you guys to comment on the blog beyond e-mailing me. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, lemme know.

Agree or disagree with a posting? Lemme know. Have a topic or suggestion? Lemme know that, too. Send an e-mail to kbaird@theblade.com or call 419-724-6734.