1). Britney Spears – either in addition to, or instead of, her H-Factor obligations. I don’t believe there’s anything about to quality of the talent on AI that disqualifies her from being a judge.
2). a rotating judge, different each week or couple a weeks. Keep the contestants on their toes – Lady Gaga one week, k. d. lang another week.
Yes, I saw the Graham Norton Show, where k. d. lang said she didn’t think much of American Idol. If she won’t judge it for money, publicity or ego, she can at least judge one episode to help spare western civilization a bad singer.
Waldorf: I stopped wearing my hearing aid..
Statler: Why, did your hearing improve?
Waldorf: No, this way I don’t have to hear the contestants!
Both: ah-hah-hah!