The judges have value. They were chosen to 1) bring sensationalism to the show, 2) bring professional opinions to the show. I think they accomplish both One thing they do NOT do is decide who goes and stays though. They can certainly influence people's votes, but it's the voters out there who pick the winners. If the judges had their way, I doubt that you'd be looking at the lineup you're looking at now.

It really is a brilliant concept, if you think about it. Have America vote for the person they like, then give that person a recording contract. Think they're going to sell records? You betcha