In a conference call with reported, recently ousted contestant, Chris Sligh, offered the following tips on how he'd change American Idol:

1. Let songwriters sing their own songs
2. Let people play instruments. "I know Taylor [Hicks] has talked about this, too, and so has Chris Daughtry."
3. Let t those who enjoy blogging be able to blog about the experience [as they go through it]. "But there are secret parts of the show that they don't want to get out, and that's the reason they [shut down] the [singers'] blogs."

What do you think, readers? What changes would you make?

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.