"American Idol" will see some major changes next fall. Not only will the world's arguably most talked about tv reality judge, Simon Cowell, be missing, but the time alloted to segments of the talent show will offer some changes as well.

Performance night on Tuesday will most often be 90 minutes long, and the results show -- often called the "kick-off night" -- will be sliced to just 30 minutes. The show's ratings have declined 9 percent this season, according to reports, and the hope seems to be that tightening the schedule will return ratings to match its highest ratings levels.

Fox revealed that an energetic search will begin this summer for a Cowell replacement.

"We have to find a judge to replace Simon that provides both music credibility and incredible entertainment value," explained Peter Rice, chairman of entertainment for the Fox Networks Group.

Some fans, though, wonder if the show can retain its luster without Cowell and his generally blunt critique of contestant performances. Cowell is leaving Idol to prepare "X Factor" for a U.S. debut.