Avril Lavigne
The punk(ish) singer brings sass to the panel during its final round of pre-Vegas auditions in Las Angeles.
Neil Patrick Harris
He made a great host for the Tonys and nailed it at the Emmys as well. Why not judge on Idol next? At least he'll get to sit this time.
Victoria Beckham
As far as we're concerned, you can never have too many Brits on a judging panel. We know the wee fashion plate knows which Louboutins to pair with which Gucci sheath, but did she match up well with Simon, Randy and Kara? Not that it matters, considering the arrangement is only temporary.
Katy Perry
While we don't advise aspiring Idols to emulate Perry's sartorial style, they could do a lot worse than stealing a page from her sweet 'n' spunky personality playbook. They might want to try sounding like the husky-voiced hitmaker, too.
Mary J. Blige
We don't know if Idol can be without Paula yet, but at least this Grammy-winning diva was on hand to sit in on auditions in Atlanta.
Shania Twain
Considering all the aspiring country stars who have passed through Idol over the years, it's about time producers sat a bona fide Nashville star (albeit one from Canada) at the judges' table.
Kelly Clarkson
If anyone knows what it takes to go all the way, it's the girl who doesn't hook up. The original American Idol joined Simon & Co. in Chicago to get a bird's-eye view of what her success hath wrought—more butchered versions of "Since U Been Gone" than you can shake a stick at.
Joe Jonas
And JoBro-loving auditioners in Chicago were supposed to concentrate how...? Teen dreaminess aside, we give Joe props for entering a public arena in which he was expected to show personality.
Kristin Chenoweth
The girl knows from popular. Fittingly, the chipper Broadway star and Emmy nominee is joining the judgmental crew in sunny Orlando, where the sun shines almost as bright as Chenoweth's smile.