Randy Jackson Gets Simon Cowell's Idol Seat: Can You Handle It?

We all selfishly assumed that new American Idol judge Steven Tyler would replace Simon Cowell as the embittered, cruel, and funny member of the panel. (He once introduced Madonna at an award show with the following quip: "Which two fingers does Madonna use to masturbate with? Mine.") But we were wrong: Randy Jackson will step up and take Simon Cowell's seat on the panel, now closing the judges' arguments instead of opening them. Is this sacrilege?

I prefer this. Randy Jackson's critiques have always lacked in both substance and, uh, coherence, but I think that's partly due to the fact that he's been forced to speak quickly and move the discussion along. Now that he's the veteran, I don't mind him jumping into Simon's seat. Nine seasons of contestant delusion can make a man j-j-jaded, and Randy's now reached the point of maximum cynicism. I suspect he'll be harsher and colder, which sounds a lot more fun than his usual technique: greeting auditioners with finger snaps, a chuckle, and a four-part harmony of "dog" pronouncements. Please, dog.

What does worry me is that Steven Tyler now has free rein to phone in his "performance." He seemed disinterested and disoriented (ahem) even during the big fancy announcement that he'd been hired, and now he can turn that malaise into a season-long string of "ehhhhs" and "whatevers" and "dream ons." What do you all think? Is Randy's new positioning tolerable? Caution: You can't claim not to care.

· 'American Idol' Judge Randy Jackson Takes on Simon Cowell's Role [NYP]