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Once a dizzyingly dominant small-screen force, Fox's American Idol has been shedding viewers in recent years — some 9% last season alone, many of them in the advertiser-coveted 18-to-49 demographic.

The much-predicted announcement Wednesday that actress/singer J. Lo and Aerosmith frontman Tyler would join holdover Randy Jackson on judges' row for Season 10 is aimed at both rekindling viewers' interest and refocusing the contest on the show's hopefuls.

But questions abound.

Is the best way to de-emphasize the judges really to replace Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell with two entertainment industry icons?

Can the show return to its early star-making form (cue Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood) after recent years of hailing less explosive talent (Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze)?

And perhaps most simply, can Idol survive the departure of Cowell — off to launch the U.S. version of his U.K. hit The X Factor— who played the role of acerbic misanthrope to ratings-popping perfection?

"(Before), the drama of American Idol hinged so clearly around that moment of Simon Cowell pronouncing his verdict — it's what guided the audience," says Richard Rushfield, who is writing a book about the show's history that will be published in January. "We'll see who replaces that. Maybe Tyler can, or maybe they just don't need that anymore."

Idol unquestionably stands at a crossroads, says Newsday pop-music critic Glenn Gamboa. "It could all go horribly wrong and end faster than anyone would expect, or it could be reborn and extend its life for years," he says. "They're still trying to figure out what road it's going to take."

The show's producers offered a peek at their map during the news conference Wednesday introducing the new judges. Contestants can brace for both good news and bad: Performance themes will focus on decades more than genres or artists, but an increased emphasis will be placed on their ability to shake their ratings-makers.

"We are no longer going to get the country singer to sing rock," says executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. "We are going to stay with what ... they're good at."

But in creating that comfort zone, Idol risks stripping itself of its magic, says Claude Kelly, co-writer of recent hits for Clarkson (My Life Would Suck Without You) and Fantasia (Bittersweet).

"You push an artist outside their element and you never know what you're going to get," says Kelly, citing Fantasia's stirring Summertime. "Those are things that make fans truly appreciate contestants and the music industry realize the person could be a true talent."

The show's new drama may now have to come from a renewed importance placed on making sure you don't look like — in Tyler's words — a "shoe gazer."

They "need to present themselves better than they did last year," says executive producer Ken Warwick. "We got sick to death of them sitting there hiding behind a guitar."

But the onus won't entirely be on the performers. Also at the news conference was industry star Jimmy Iovine, who has produced U2 and Tom Petty. He joins as Idol's in-house mentor. "Every week, we're going to have the best producers in the world working with these artists," such as Timbaland, he says.

The point of such changes, says Lythgoe, is to steer clear of the "karaoke" vibe Idol can give off, in order to "get back to creating an American Idol" in the chart-topping mold of Underwood.

"(We) want to look for the 'it' thing that can come in any package," Lopez adds. "We want a full-rounded performer who's going to contribute to the world of music."

The new judge's deal with Fox will allow her to expand her own entertainment repertoire: Her Idol gig comes with a 20th Century Fox film-development deal, not insignificant for an artist whose recent movie and music turns haven't struck gold.

Otherwise, Lopez says, she's eager to put down roots in L.A. with husband Marc Anthony, and attend their 2-year-old twins' soccer games and dance recitals.

As for Tyler, he was characteristically candid — perhaps a preview of coming Idol attractions.

Never shy about discussing his drug-use battles and band skirmishes, Tyler told the conference he'd recently wrapped a stint at the Betty Ford Center. He was also frank about how his bandmates were initially jealous.

"We've been married 40 years," says Tyler. "They're judging me every day. Sometimes, it hurt. ... I'm sure they're really happy for me."

Idol's multimillion-dollar outlay lands them household names "who are extremely colorful music figures that skew broadly to a wide demo," says music industry consultant Tom Vickers.

In particular, he predicts Tyler has a good shot at inheriting Cowell's prickly mantle.

"That's the hardest part, because part of being a celebrity is pleasing fans," he says. "If you come across as hypercritical, it could anger your fan base."

And that fan base could get even older with the addition of these veteran stars, says MJ Santilli, author of the Idol-centric MJ's Big Blog.

"Aerosmith has a lot of Boomer fans, and I don't think young people are tapped into what they're doing," adding that Lopez's and Tyler's storied careers work against putting the spotlight on the contestants. "I can't help but think the focus is going to be on the judges' panel."

Most agree that the new duo will cause ratings to spike initially, but after that, the season is an unknown, says Brad Adgate of ad-buying shop Horizon Media.

"It will get buzz and attention, with people tuning in to see how good (Lopez and Tyler) are and what the chemistry's going to be," says Adgate. "But I'm not sure how it'll help in the long term, because it's still a show that's been on 10 years."

Entertainment Weekly's Idol watcher, Michael Slezak, credits the producers for "playing offense when they really didn't have to."

"It's a great, bold move," he says. "What no one can predict now is how these two new judges will do on live TV. Who could have predicted that an Oscar host like Ellen would ultimately prove uncomfortable offering up honest and succinct assessments of talent?"

Another veteran Idol follower isn't as optimistic. "The reason Idol worked is they took a personality who was not a music star, that is Simon Cowell, and he created an identity," says Bob Lefsetz, author of the music industry watchdog blog The Lefsetz Letter.

"In order for this show to remain successful, it needs to find a new person like that, and nobody on this panel fits that bill," he says. "It's just another stab in the heart. Just wait for The X Factor."

At least two ex-Idols will stick by the show that made their music dreams come true.

"Heck, I'll be tuning in just to watch J. Lo — she's quite the woman," says Season 8 third-place finisher Danny Gokey, who sang Aerosmith's Dream On during his Idol run. (He's currently touring in support of his country album, My Best Days.) "But mostly I want to hear what Tyler has to say. He's a true rock star, and they're their own breed."

Carly Smithson is convinced that having industry veterans like J. Lo and Tyler on board will make Idol contestants more comfortable as they face the judges.

"Whenever we performed, the No. 1 concern on our lists was Simon," says Smithson, currently finding an outlet for her rock music with the band We Are the Fallen. "I'd die to be judged by a panel like that."

And how does Idol's faithful fandom view the show's latest additions to the family and its new direction?

Alicia Hoaks, 26, of Lafayette, Ind., has been a loyal watcher since the first season. She's glad singers will get to stick with favorite genres. "This way the judges won't be beating them down, saying both 'you're out of who you are' but also 'get outside your comfort zone,' " she says. "I never understood that."

And Wednesday's news has made Tara Seetharam change her TV viewing plans for January.

"I wasn't too excited about next season, but (today) I have a lot more hope," says Seetharam, 24, of Houston. "Lythgoe seemed sincere about making the show about the contestants again, which makes me happy.

"Maybe this could be a talent competition once again."