Same microphone, same stage, same audience exploding as they welcome back “American Idol”…and a new pair of judges?

It’s out with the old and in with the new, as Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler sat in the judge’s chairs during “American Idol”’s two-hour season premiere with veteran judge Randy Jackson.

Opinions are scattered on whether these new judges can live up to the standards that the old ones, particularly Cowell, left behind.

“When I think of ‘American Idol’ I think of Simon, Randy and Paula. It’s just weird without them,” sophomore Julie Miller said. “I think the show’s going to go downhill from here. People aren’t watching it as much anymore; they’d rather watch shows like ‘America’s Got Talent’ where they can watch people express more than one talent.”

This would not be the first time ‘AI’ took a risky turn; flashback to season eight when Paula Abdul tweeted her goodbyes and songwriter Kara DioGuardi leaped into her seat. Then season nine took a more surprising turn when talk-show host and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres became the panel’s fourth judge.

“I watched the show once, and the minute I saw Ellen, I turned off the TV and wondered how she got the job having no musical experience or talent,” sophomore Grant Douglas said.

When season nine ended, DeGeneres, DioGuardi, and, most notably, Cowell all made their exits, creating great controversy amongst fans and the entertainment industry.

“I’m going to miss Simon. He was hilarious, and I definitely think the old seasons were better than the new ones,” sophomore Ashley Orsillo said.

The declining interest in the show has also affected album sales.

When season one winner Kelly Clarkson’s debut album first came out, 250,000 copies were sold in just the first two weeks, and over 23 million continued to sell worldwide. On the other hand, season 9 winner Lee DeWyze’s album barely sold 100,000 copies.

“Idol unquestionably stands at crossroads,” Newsday pop-music critic Glenn Gamboa said. “It could all go horribly wrong and end faster than anyone would expect, or it could be reborn and extend its life for years.”