Donny Osmond: Bye-bye 'AI'

Donny Osmond didn’t dance around his feelings about what he calls the new and unimproved “American Idol.” He’s ready to tune out.

On “The Donny Osmond Show,” the entertainer’s nationally syndicated radio show (Mondays to Fridays at 7 p.m. on WBZO, 103.1 FM), he weighed in with, “It's Donny Osmond and Season 10 of 'American Idol' kicked off last night. Lots of pressure for the show, and a lot to prove. OK, look, let me say this, 'AI' first and foremost is a television program. It is not reality. It is packaged for entertainment.

“Now, the first rule of entertainment is there has to be some kind of conflict. Conflict is what makes it interesting. I'm sorry, but without Simon Cowell, there is no conflict. With Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson, you have three white hats and no villain. It just doesn't work! There were lots of ‘I’m sorries’ and ‘you are so sweet’ and ‘I really like you’ . . . no way. Simon Cowell is sorely missed, and if last night was any indication, Season 10 will be the final season of 'AI.' That's just my opinion, and I know that if I was at the judge's table I would find it hard to reject people . . . but I’m not. Yes, it's great to have two genuine superstars and an industry veteran at the table, but, there is no bad guy. There is no spark. There is no conflict. It's been fun, 'American Idol,' but it's time to say ‘see ya!’ ”