"American Idol" Season 10 judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson (Photo from FOX)

MANILA, Philippines – There seems to be a silver lining beyond the clouds of doubt enveloping “American Idol” after all, with Steven Tyler being hailed as a promising favorite new judge.

As the 10th season of the US hit show kicked off last Jan. 19 (Jan. 20 in the Philippines) with the New Jersey auditions, the focus once again seemed to be more on the new set of judges---Tyler, “triple threat” Jennifer Lopez, and last original arbiter standing, Randy Jackson---and how they fared. The Aerosmith front man apparently stood out from the new triumvirate.

With Tyler’s wackiness that go from his amusing facial expressions and thumping the beat for some contestants, to singing along with the auditionees and firing off quips like, “Did you eat paint chips as a child?”, skeptical viewers may just give the controversy-beset show, which is believed to be already way past its peak, a chance.

Viewers (or should we say those who chose to stay with “AI” despite the reported falling ratings of its previous seasons, winners going on to unsuccessful careers post-“Idol,” and massive shuffling of the judges) gave their two cents on Tyler’s performance on various social networking sites, mostly lauding his honesty and hilarity.

One posted, “Dear Steven Tyler, You are a God and the sole reason why I may have to just start watching American Idol again. Ten years? Damn! Where did the time go? Thank you for saving that show.”

Another netizen deemed that “they should have put Steven Tyler on American Idol ages ago.”

“He makes up for the lack of drunken rambling that we lost when Paula Abdul left,” said another.

Tyler also seems to be a ladies’ magnet even at 62, as one female Facebook user gushed, “OMG Steven Tyler is so... Hot !!!! I want him want him want him LOL American Idol best season yet !!!! Eyes Glued on my Man.”

Meanwhile, a netizen who had an “awful day” related “something that made me smile today.”

“What cheered me up would have to be watching Steven Tyler judge on American Idol. He’s hilarious and random and figuring out what his critiques mean is half the fun. He’s also very sweet. The ole’ Perv. It’s gonna be a fun season,” she said.

The music icon’s “rocker edge” also enables him to “feel the music more than the other [judges],” one user wrote.

While no one among the judges on the show is seen as the “next Simon Cowell,” many found J.Lo’s gentleness, propensity towards praise and resistance to saying “no” reminiscent of Paula Abdul, who last appeared on Season 8. As Lopez said herself in a VTR aired at the start of the show, she will be the “compassionate” judge.

“I’m not in the business of crushing spirits,” she maintained.

After saying “no” to a contestant from the Ivory Coast who sang, with her heavily-accented vocals, Madonna’s "Dress You Up,” Lopez exclaimed “Why did I sign up for this? I wanna go home!”

Her stint was met with mixed reactions from netizens. Some described her as “a horrendous judge,” and “annoying but tolerable.” Others found her “a softy like Paula but a little more critical” and “more useful than Randy.”

“She definitely doesn’t replace Paula as a judge, but she has that same feel! They did good by choosing J-Lo!” enthused another.

Although some have already lost interest in watching “AI” altogether, there are those who still believe that the refreshing and friendlier vibe of the current show deserves to be given another look.

“I thought they (judges) did great! I enjoyed them... all three of them! They will get their groove in the coming episodes,” posted one netizen.

Another rejoined: “While I miss Simon, the new panel is good.”