Randy Jackson on 'American Idol': 'I Still Think It's the Best Show'

American Idol paved the way for what a reality competition could be: a stellar, rotating cast of heartwarming contestants tethered by a charismatic crew of judges and a host. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell were an all-star team; Cowell was the cynic, Abdul the optimist and Jackson kept it balanced as the level-headed one, often swaying the vote. There was chemistry, humor and heart in their tactics for the seven years the crew sat together.'Idol' Lessons Learned From Randy