The first time, Randy Jackson might've been a little grouchy from his diet. The second time could've been overwork -- you know, his MTV show "America's Best Dance Crew," prying another hit out of fellow judge Paula Abdul, stoking his new album, all that.

But during Inspiration Week? Jackson was not feeling or exuding the love. He dared to be critical. He verged on grumpy. He sounded kind of like... Simon Cowell. Dawg, what happened? Now, formerly simpatico judges Jackson and Abdul are out of tune, and her melted marshmallow critiques have become even more mushy-gushy to compensate.

For years, Jackson has played third fiddle to the other two "Idol" judges. Does his newfound edginess mean the man's finally coming into his own? Could be: In the past 7 days, his searches lag only 8% behind the feared Cowell. And, in a true sign of status, an intrepid Phillyburbs.com reporter has been assigned to translate (brilliantly) Jackson's cultured pearls of wisdom. But, he's going to have to try harder to get ahead of Cowell and Abdul (who consistently draws in more searches than both men combined). So what do they have that Jackson hasn't got... but could try?

• Prove his musical cred. A chunk of Abdul's searches delves into her musical library, including "cold hearted snake," "straight up" and to—O cold-hearted irony—Jackson's own produced song. People can identify with her solo gigs, but Jackson was the eternal back-up man. He needs to sling on his bass guitar and when Ryan Seacrest asks (and he will ask given the right cue card), just insouciantly toss out, "Oh, this old thing? When I was with Dylan. Got it from Aretha. You know, when I rocked her world."
• Invest in an as-seen-on-TV ab machine. Right now, of all the three, Abdul gets the look-ups for her pictures. Jackson has lost some weight, but now it's time to step it up. His new look could be prompting the handful of searches for "randy jackson in leather pants in the 80s." Venture at your own risk.
• Pimp his ride. People have actually gone online and demanded "show me simon cowell car"—like his Rolls Royce Phantom, although his newest wheels is a$1 mil Bugatti Veyron. Plus they want to look at his house, his cashmere, and his paycheck stub. Jackson, time to put Abdul to work and get some positive cash flow.
• Plant one on Simon Cowell. Almost four weeks after Cowell called Abdul a "very good kisser," the queries are still hot and heavy for "paula abdul simon cowell kissing." Pucker up, close your eyes, and pretend it's Steve Perry.