TVSquad

The rotating guest judge slots in the wake of Paula Abdul's departure continue. The latest celebrities guest judging American Idol are Kelly Clarkson and Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers. I'm starting to see an upside for the show post-Paula.

With ratings on the decline the past couple of years, it's also been observed that the median age for the show had been getting older as well. As we all know, old people don't exist to advertisers, so youth is where it's at. Kelly Clarkson is a great choice to bring in a hip and young crowd, and she's a great story for the show. Here's their first crowned champion coming back to offer sage advice and wisdom ... or at least a lot of "Y'all!"

Joe Jonas is sure to bring legions of screaming pre-pubescent girls to the screen. And nobody obsesses over stars like pre-pubescent girls. I'd love to see the permanent slot filled by an artist as current and relevant as these two. Maybe Amy Winehouse is available; it'd be like Paula never left!

(S34E16) It was pretty obvious there was going to be at least two sketches with the Jonas Brothers. I called it! I mean, no one apart from the people in my apartment know I called it, but that doesn't change the facts or my sad sense of accomplishment. I had to tune out once they started singing (sorry, 15 year-old girls), but their skits were all right. Alec Baldwin did a fine job of hosting as well, though there weren't any particularly striking sketches. I suppose after doing something like "Schwetty Balls", just about everything else will pale in comparison.