To say that American Idol 2013 has been a frustrating journey is an understatement.

First, viewers got four Idol judges who repeat each other's critiques in many ways too many times. Second, the judges picked male talents who could hardly compete with the ladies. Third, Lazaro Arbos, who forgot his lyrics twice in as many weeks, is on the Top 3 in last week's results.

Could the inspirational contestant be partially responsible for the continued drop of the show's ratings? And why did Devin Velez, who can play the piano and strum the guitar, refuse to be Idol WGWG? More important, how can the Idol producers up their game this year?

Kudos to this year's American Idol Top 6: Amber Holcomb, Candice Glover, Kree Harrison, Janelle Arthur, Angie Miller and Lazaro Arbos. This week, they'll be picking songs from the Burt Bacharach/ Hal David Songbook. Expect no contemporary songs, then. Arbos' fans could only hope he doesn't forget the lyrics for three consecutive weeks. As for the producers, may they decide to give us a theme that is more current, for a change. It could also help the show's ratings.

Here are 3 simple ways American Idol producers can try in order to pick the ratings up towards the 2013 finale:

1. Expand the song choices for the contestants. And while doing that, offer something new to the viewers who have been hearing of the same themes for over a decade now.

2. Less criticisms, more mentoring. What is Jimmy Iovine's role in the Idol show - mentor or backstage judge? If he's a mentor, why not suggest songs to the contestants (must producers wait until the finale for this)? If he's only a backstage judge, there's really no need for him anymore.

3. Tell the Idol judges to be quick, concise, straightforward. Kudos to Keith Urban for not making his comments about him (like Nicki Minaj), saying the same things repeatedly (like Randy Jackson), or beating around the bush (like Mariah Carey) for one simple point. But he has to dish criticisms clearly instead of dropping ambiguous hints. (You're a cool wise man, Mr Urban.)

American Idol 2013: Why 8th-placer Devin Velez didn't play the WGWG role

American Idol Season 12 could have had a WGWG contestant, but he chose to be a serious balladeer instead. Devin Velez, this year's No. 8 Idol, dished the reasons why he did not play the WGWG role in the competition.

Velez told TV Line's Michael Slezak he didn't want to compete with Janelle Arthur on the guitar, and he didn't want to compete with Angie Miller on the piano. He just wanted to compete with everyone else on the vocals, apparently. Do you think he could have stayed a bit longer in the competition if he took on the WGWG persona?

Meanwhile, the legendary Kelly Clarkson (American Idol Season 1 champion and Grammy-winning recording artist) is expected to perform her new single "People Like Us" on this week's Idol 2013 results show.

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