Kara DioGuardi Fired? Idol Going Back to a 3 Judge Panel Consisting of Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler?

I hated Kara this past season.. but I hated Randy more. I’m disappointed. LOL

WTH?! Kara DioGuardi was the only useful judge in season 9 and they replace her and keep Randy Jackson?! This is seriously messed up! And Steven Tyler? Nooooooo, just noooooooooooo.

Bye Kara. They still need the ass hole judge to fill Simon’s shoes. Who’s going to be the one who says the mean stuff to the crazy auditioners. Not JLo because she’s got the same “I have to be nice” because I have a career problem that Ellen had. Hopefully, it’ll be Steven Tyler but performers are never hard on other performers.

At least they’re going back to 3 judges. Hooray. And keeping Randy is a good idea. The show needs some continuity.

Wow. I’m not sure I believe all of the Ellen-JLo information went down as stated, but the producers of this show do know how to keep an audience tuned in. JLo is an interesting add; I’m not sure her personality is strong enough to actually attract audience, likable as she is. I would watch for Steven Tyler – at least a couple of times. Kara has certainly received some miserable contracts from Idol. I am ambivalent about her leaving. Part of me is tired of the schtick and the other part thinks she could have eventually actually developed quite well.

I have always found Jennifer Lopez to be very likeable and certainly qualified to do a good job at judging. I can see her as the “sweet” judge. She has the experience as a mentor, so she knows the ropes.

It is necessary to keep Randy as a connection to the past. Steven Tyler just doesn’t excite me. I do hope he is “clean” and can handle the pressure. I would prefer Harry or Chris.

Wow, bye Kara, won’t miss you…

It’s kind of an interesting process all of this.

And, even though the show is not about the judges, it all goes to show just how important the chemistry between the judges is to the show.

The X Factor went through a rocky stage in the UK when they changed the judging panel: they had to bring back Louis Walsh, who is a complete and utter twat, but the chemistry of the judges just didn’t work without him. It was really weird, but you just couldn’t see what he added to the show until he wasn’t there, even though he’s still a complete waste of space.

I really think that AI started its trip down the pan when they introduced Kara and slid Paula out. The chemistry between Paula, Randy and Simon worked and was still working, if tired, in season 7.

The only thing that saved season 8, IMO, was the talent and personalities of the contestants (or the top 5 at least) finally overcame all the crap that was going on with the judges and other tweaks.

Season 9, minus Paula, the problems were front and centre and the contestants weren’t strong enough to distract.

I don’t think they understood what Paula brought to the show until she was gone (I don’t think the viewers did either).

And I think Simon is irreplaceable. It takes quite some charisma to get away with being as rude as he is and still be attractive and compelling to the audience. The show needs his wit and bluntness – that was evident this season when he seemed to be already absent half the time – but it needs his charm to pull it off too.

But thank goodness Kara is gone (and Ellen, she just didn’t work).

I’ll give season 10 a shot, but I don’t think it’s going to be the same show at all. Time will tell as to whether it’s a new version worth watching.

If they were going to go the “rockstar” route, I wish they had spoken to Dave Navarro. He was awesome on “Rockstar: INXS” and ‘Rockstar:Supernova”. And he was always there! I think Steven Tyler is a big risk. I could take or leave Kara, so I’m ok with her being gone.

I hope Steven Tyler isn’t in. That would be a totally boneheaded choice, IMO. He couldn’t be depended on even by his own band. If TPTB have picked him, they will richly deserve any problems he causes for them.

wow! im kinda hoping this isnt true..i may be one of few but i actually liked Kara this season. and steven tyler?? i dont really know how capable he’d be as a judge but it just seems like a weird choice. I wish they’d fire Randy instead- wth does he bring?

It pains me that TMZ is stil the main source. I hope that Steven Tyler info is wrong. Why the PTB think that all replacement judges should be celebrities or known to the audience already? Why not pick a real industry professional instead? The music industry must be full of sharks, take one of them!

I will miss Kara, even when I didn’t like her personality, she had industry knowledge and she tried to be better in S9. (Or maybe Michael Slezak’s seal of approval clouded my mind..)

That judge panel could work.

Kara allowed Warwick and Freemantle to define her on the show. So, we get that awful cougar shtick that may have been “good” TV, but did nothing to get viewers to relate to Kara.

fadetowhite well thought out and well put.

My only nagging thought about the accuracy of Kara being out is that they gave Ellen a way to excuse herself gracefully, why not Kara? Why not cut both at the same time, then it looks much more like business and nothing to do with their performance as judges? Hmmm this is getting a little weird.

The key word here is “Judge” Sure, Kara got on my nerves once in a while, but she was the only one who seemed like she knew what she was talking about and could articulate it a meaningful way. And with Simon gone, I think it´s even more important she stays

Let me speculate. The show is lacking “star” winners. As much as you all want to claim that Adam and Kris are “star” singers, they are not anywhere near Carrie, Kelly, Daughtry or Jennifer. And that’s what the show lacked. Adam works his butt off, but he’s not “star” pop singer material; that’s what Simon Fuller was saying in his interview a while back, that Adam was “struggling”, whether you believe it or not.

Anybody could see this last season, the winners looked like the same-o-same-o, white boy strumming guitar clones. And the contestants had no personality.

Anytime Simon can’t get excited — and he hasn’t been for about 3 seasons — then the show is not finding good talent. This is what I think:
1) they’re going to let the second chancers (“michael johns”) back in the game, because they are semi-pro and know how the business works
2) Jennifer is a one-season replacement. I don’t see JLo being there season after season. Ditto Steven Tyler. Bec the auditions are starting they had to get somebody – quick – and they needed name performers.
3) Randy’s contract is up next year. He may not even want to come back. He’s got so much in the fire now.

Why must Simon be replaced? Somebody explain that to me…please.

Will not miss Kara. Could do without Randy too, but the GOOD thing about this setup( if it is true) is they have people representing different genres. Who knows what the hell is going on with Steven but maybe they are using him for the Paula trainwreck factor. She was loopy as hell but she actually knew quite a bit about what she was saying, and Steven Tyler ain’t no dummy, he’s actually kind of witty, so I expect some good sound bites out of him.

As much as you all want to claim that Adam and Kris are “star” singers, they are not anywhere near Carrie, Kelly, Daughtry or Jennifer.

Sorry, but I think you need to include Cook, Archie, Jordin, Blake, Crystal, Lee, Danny, Allison …. et al. LOL More that a few haven’t put out more than one album, so its a bit hard to be a star pop or even a star singer (for the non pop artists). In the long run you may very well be right, but we’ve not had enough time to make that judgement.

Simon needs to be replaced because he is going to be with the Xfactor.. and even if the shows are not on during the same time, there is the burn out factor with his face in the judges seat.

Just read this on a blog.

JLo and Tyler – Booty and the Beast.

It’s Xmas in July! Goodbye, Kara. Enjoy the broom ride back to wherever you came from.

I’m still having a hard time believing they’d tap Steven Tyler, given his History of Substance Abuse, but maybe Nigel wants to embrace the crazy, and Steven’s past makes Bret Michaels’s recent bust for marijuana posession seem positively quaint in comparison.

Shorty:
07/30/2010 at 8:03 am
Just read this on a blog.

JLo and Tyler – Booty and the Beast.

BootStar:
07/30/2010 at 8:03 am
It’s Xmas in July! Goodbye, Kara. Enjoy the broom ride back to wherever you came from.

Both of you… LOL Thanks for the morning pick me up. Who needs coffee?

If this is true, then I am definitely fine with it. I don’t care for Kara and don’t think that she fit in well on the judges panel. I would rather see someone else as a judge than her. Now they might have room for at least two more judges. Someone like Jennifer to fit into the Paula role and someone with a big personality that will keep things interesting.

Reminder:

Totally going to shut down any fanwarring over contestants. STICK TO THE TOPIC PLEASE.

Why must Simon be replaced? Somebody explain that to me…please.

Simon needs to be replaced because he has left Idol (not Idol’s choice) and the Judges’ panel needs at least one heavyweight. It’s simple really.

I do hope the have the whole thing settled before filming the audition rounds in front of the main judges. Would like to see them all in place and not experience musical chairs with guest judges and the like. Things need to look more permanent on the judges panel so more focus can be put toward the talent. Not too thrilled about Tyler, but not sure why yet. I think I’m going to web surf for some Tyler interviews, have no idea what he sounds like when not performing, lol.

I really think that AI started its trip down the pan when they introduced Kara and slid Paula out.

I 100% agree with that!

I wrote a lot about Kara in the last thread, so i won’t duplicate it here, but I am SO pleased that Kara will be gone.

Kara allowed Warwick and Freemantle to define her on the show. So, we get that awful cougar shtick that may have been “good” TV, but did nothing to get viewers to relate to Kara.

Kara acted the same when she judged “The One.”

If all of this is true I say “bring it on”. I lubs the fact that a real “rock star” who is (heaven forbid) older than me (if only by a day) is considered by “some peeps” to still be relevant in this youth obsessed world of ours. And I love Steven Tylers speaking voice and that innate intelligence carefully hidden and covered-up by the mostly truthful tales of his over-indulgence (wine, women, song, and drugs). What better way to appeal to the older woman (neh: Grannies) demographic that is apparently the core audience for AI. It will be nice to see an androgenous Grandpa who still “gets it” picking out the singers of tomorrow. Maybe he will assist in putting the kabosh on more WGWGuitars…we don’t need any more insipid singers bringing down the allure of AI.

IF Kara is indeed gone, I don’t really mind. I could take her or leave her really. I like Jennifer Lopez so I love this choice…although, I would have rather had Shania Twain. As far as Steven Tyler goes, if they wanted a rocker, I can think of so many others who’d be a better fit imo…Bret Michaels, Dave Navarro, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, ohh and Stephen Pearcy. Stephen really tells it like it is. *lol*

Randy, Jlo and Steven Tyler?
I love Aerosmith but can’t really see how he fits into a judging panel like AI. I know that the AI audience seem to love their male rockers so that may be why they went that way.

I think J-Lo is a total dip and would hate to see her as a judge. Why not Shania if they need another woman? No no no to Steven Tyler.

What a joke.

I love Aerosmith but can’t really see how he fits into a judging panel like AI. I know that the AI audience seem to love their male rockers so that may be why they went that way.

If this is true, I am disappointed. I was hoping for Harry Connick or Chris Isaak, both really smart and witty.

I haven’t been a fan of Kara’s from the beginning, so it’s not a great loss. Certainly Idol can do better than J-Lo, she’s a mediocre singer and actress. Sure she’s famous, but more for being Diddy’s former girlfriend than her abilities as a singer. If the rumor is true that they are going back to three judges, then that’s one change I can get behind. Four judges trying to give comments were the biggest reason why they kept going over in season 8.

Well, JLo is a great fit to slip into the Paula role. But Steven Tyler???? That, imo, is a crappy choice. What relevance does he have to today’s music? And having a “rocker” as a judge when nobody off Idol will ever be played on rock radio makes no sense. Or if they had to have a rocker, at least get somebody halfway current.

Personally, I think they need that one tough judge who is not a performer, but is still tied to the music industry in some way.

In any event, I don’t see Tyler lasting more than one season.

Why must Simon be replaced? Somebody explain that to me…please.

Because Idol is a strickt format television, and that format requires “the bad guy”. One doesn’t mess with the format just because a person leaves. If you watch (almost) any other country’s Idol, they have the same characters; the nasty truthfull one, the nice praising one, and one in the middle.

Fade to White:

ITA! Well put!

Not upset about Kara one bit. Also agree 100% with Boot Star- send her back on her broom, lol

Next season will be worth watching again. Not sure about Tyler as a judge, but I think JLO could be good. At least better than Kara and Ellen.

MJ, I LOVED Connick also! He is smart, snarky and oh so funny. And he really knows his technical music.

Bret Michaels busted for MaryJ? Wow, I missed that. Yeh, timing was bad because he would have been really good.
I still speculate that these two new judges are short-term. JLo needs a boost, being an AI judge will help, but she wants to get back in the movie game big-time.
And I’m with MJ: I didn’t see Steven Tyler coming. I think he’s short-term too.

So far I’m liking all these changes!! Bye Ellen (I like you on your show but on idol was a little bit disappointing) bye Kara ( I won’t miss you, you talk too much) Welcome J.Lo ( I like this, looking forward to see you on the show)
I hope they replace Randy too, and I don’t know what to think about Steven Taylor as a replacement of Simon. I love Steven but I don’t know.

I’m just confused. Has Tyler ever done anything along the lines of judging or has he ever had any connection to Idol, even as much as mentioned them. If TPTB are just taking a wild chance with no actual history of Tyler being qualified for the job, then that means they didn’t learn a thing with Kara and Ellen. Could work, but seems like quite a gamble to me.

dang, the idol ptb’s ain’t playing around. they are cleaning house, but i’m not so sure jenny from the block and steven tyler are the judges needed to shore this listing ship up. it’s still feels too circus-like, still feels like the emphasis is more on the judges, than getting back to what made the show great and fun to watch in the first place. i don’t care about the judges really. they have had their day in the sun, it should be all about those hungry, up and coming singers vying for a spot each week to sing, and maybe even win. oh well, it’s their show to screw up as they see fit – they’ve done a good job so far, so why stop now…

If this is true, I am disappointed. I was hoping for Harry Connick or Chris Isaak, both really smart and witty.

If true, that means they prioritized star power and name recognition over anything else. Steven Tyler is not only the biggest name of all I’ve heard lately (except Elton John), he also has international appeal and AI does seem to have some kind of audience outside the US borders too.

In the long run, I’m not sure that it will work out but I think they want a lot of people tuning in for the season 10 premiere and with those two names I can see a lot people doing just that.

Has Tyler ever done anything along the lines of judging or has he ever had any connection to Idol, even as much as mentioned them.

Well, I don’t want to miss a thing was played approximately 1 billion times so I guess that’s a connection:).
Also Joe Perry has appeared several times on Idol so the band must be ok with the show.

Randy’s still alive? They hit him with five shots and he’s still alive? Well, that’s bad luck for me, and bad luck for the show if they make that deal.

These are strange choices, I don’t know if I like them or not. The only redeeming feature I can think of is that maybe, just maybe, we can have a season where no one will dare sing Don’t Want to Miss a Thing!!! Please make it so!

I certainly think you need someone who can be truly honest, even if they are brutal at times. Simon was usually right about contestants chances at making it in the music world. If you stink and don’t have a snow ball chance in hell of being a pop star, then maybe someone needs to come out and say it. You don’t need judges ignoring the bad and just spotlighting the good. You don’t develope as a artist if you don’t evolve and grow and how can you grow when you have a bunch of judges propping you up. The smart contestants take the critism and try to make adjustments if necessary. It’s better for the contestants to have a judge bring up their faults and give them time to fix it, then have a record producer do it just when your about to sign a contract or record your album. It’s a good thing to have a judge on the panel that makes the Idols want to pick up their game and perform to the best of the ability.

Randy’s still alive? They hit him with five shots and he’s still alive?

lol – this line is from that solazzo guy in ‘the godfather’, right the one who ordered the hit on brando after he wouldn’t agree to go in with them on a drug deal… sweeeeet… wonder who will be next, to be made an offer by idol they can’t refuse, or risk waking up w/a horse’s head in their bed

So Kara gets fired but the AI producers who hired her and who have been running the show into the ground for the past two years get to stay? Yeah that makes perfect sense.

As much as i would have preferred to see randy go over Kara, it makes sense–they like the 2 male, one female judge format. Also, Randy’s contract isn’t up yet, but Kara’s is.
J.Lo also makes a whole lot more sense than Ellen ever did to fill the “Paula” chair. J.Lo is much more in the Paula vein, she’s pop star who isn’t known for the vocals, but for busting her butt to make it in the business anyway…. down to the fact that she hasn’t been relevant for about 7 years…which was about how long Paula had been out of relevance when idol hired her in 2002.
As for Steven Tyler in the Simon seat. Jury is still out until we have it confirmed, see what he can do. But! I can see him playing the “voice of truth”, and telling contestants they are horrible. I can see it.

I think they had to keep Randy, for the sake of continuity if nothing else. If the new crew gels, he can “retire” from his role next season (assuming the show gets a next season). And as inarticulate as Randy can be, he does have a depth of knowledge about a variety of musical genres that no other judge has ever displayed.

Speaking of which, I’m a little surprised they’ve made no attempt to find a judge with a serious connection to country music. That’s a uniquely “American” genre, and one of the few which past Idols have excelled in, so I don’t get why there’s still nobody “representing” that market.

Understandable. Kara never figured out how to be likable on TV.

The potential problem with this is that you’ve got nobody really representing a record label executive voice on the panel. That was Simon’s role and that’s Kara’s role to some degree too.

Then again record execs are the ones who’ve screwed up the music business so maybe it’s not a bad thing to keep them off the panel

The important thing is going to be casting, casting, casting. Can Randy/J Lo/Steven Tyler handle it?

BootStar: I agree about them not having a judge who really knows country music. Randy’s worked with Travis Tritt but Kara’s written with a TON of country acts even some traditional country acts.

At this point, I don’t really care who replaces Kara … I’m just happy that she’s gone.

Kara is an awesome song writer for sure, but I think she wrote her own ticket to bye-bye land when she fell all over Casey James and had an emotional breakdown during Micheal Lynch’s performance. IMO, she tainted her MO. She should have held strong to her strong, successful producer and writer image. I won’t even get started on her tasteful nude photos.

Seriously? Can you take your shirt off? *shaking head* Can you imagine the uproar is Simon or Randy had even attempted any such similar comment with a young female?

She shouldn’t be surprised to be leaving.

I agree with Bootstar and windmills 100%. AI should have considered an artist with a country connection. After all, AI contestants are having more success there then anywhere else (IMPO).

I really think that AI started its trip down the pan when they introduced Kara and slid Paula out.

I think it started when they got rid of Nigel. That man is all kinds of creepy, but he knows how to generate tension and excitement in a show. Ken and Cecile have made some of the dopiest decisions in the last couple of years (and adding Kara was one of them).

I’m torn on Kara. She was hands down the best judge last year, but the THING is (as she would say), she is just so unappealing. With her wagging of her finger, her way of phrasing and her verbosity consuming far too many precious seconds, I just want her to SHUT UP. Add the way she decided to climb all over Simon this year and I wanted to barf. Woman, you’re smart, you’re successful in the industry, you know what you’re talking about, you don’t need to sit in a man’s lap to be taken seriously or to make you likable. Ugh. This happens sometimes with contestants. You can be a good singer and dancer and just not connect with the audience. Sometimes, you just don’t have a personality that works on live TV. Sometimes, you just lack charisma. That’s sometimes why a Tim lasts forever and other contestants go home early.

Anyway, I can see why they would keep Randy. He’s the continuity with the start. He’s useless, but he has a pretty decent eye for talent. I don’t know (as he would say), but maybe he’ll step up his game if he becomes the elder-statesman of the panel. Maybe he won’t phone it in when he knows people might actually listen to him (he had to have known people were just waiting to see what Simon would say).

Jennifer Lopez I can see. Steven Tyler I cannot see. Dude is a total train wreck. Would he be able to last a season?

The important thing is going to be casting, casting, casting. Can Randy/J Lo/Steven Tyler handle it?

I’ve never believed the “judges” had much to do with whom they cast on the show. Maybe they have some say at Hollywood week, but they’re choosing 24 or 36 contestants out of an original pool of 50,000 to 100,000.

I’d LOVE to know who’s *really* in charge of “choosing the talent.” It’s always more about casting a television show than scouting out a potential pop star. That’s one of the mysteries that’s never really been revealed about the show, but given the apparent rift between the Freemantle people and the 19E ones, it would explain a LOT.

I can’t believe they let Kara go!! I know she didn’t have many fans and I don’t know why?? I think she is a talented singer and songwriter and I thought most of her critiques were very accurate. Very rarely did I disagree with her. Not surprised about Ellen….I really like her but agree she wasn’t a good fit for the show. And Steven Tyler?? UGH!! I thought that they would put Nigel Lythgoe in for Simon. As for Jennifer Lopez…she’s okay but she’s “another Paula”. Another singer/dancer/too nice! Has she ever written a song?

Unfortunately, I predict S10 will be the last for American Idol….too many changes and people are going to tune out. AI jumped the shark two years ago….it’s time for the shark to just swallow this show up!

Now please put S7 on DVD so that we can preserve the last and best season of AI!

I think I’m one of the few that really liked Kara, and I’m sorry to see her go if it’s true. I thought she was great this past season, with great advice and criticism that usually mirrored Simon’s–and Simon had the opinions I tended to believe. Steven Tyler is a weird choice–but I’d rather see him than J-Lo.

So, does Teflon Randy own pics of Simon Fuller having sex with farm animals or what?

The potential problem with this is that you’ve got nobody really representing a record label executive voice on the panel. That was Simon’s role and that’s Kara’s role to some degree too.

Isn’t Randy sort of filling that role? He is a producer and has worked with (drop a bunch of names).
As Kirsten pointed out, he has a very good track record on the show for recognizing talent (and also for making useless critics), much better than Simon or Paula (who said yes to almost anyone with the little bit of talent), and is the link to the glorious past of the show. I can see why they would keep him.

Add the way she decided to climb all over Simon this year and I wanted to barf. Woman, you’re smart, you’re successful in the industry, you know what you’re talking about, you don’t need to sit in a man’s lap to be taken seriously or to make you likable.

^^ THIS. I actually liked her the first season. Last season, like you said.. barf!

With Steven on the panel I don’t imagine we’ll be hearing any more renditions of “Scream On.”

I’d LOVE to know who’s *really* in charge of “choosing the talent.” It’s always more about casting a television show than scouting out a potential pop star. That’s one of the mysteries that’s never really been revealed about the show, but given the apparent rift between the Freemantle people and the 19E ones, it would explain a LOT.

I haven’t believed that the judges pick the contestants for at least 4 seasons. I understand why they wouldn’t, but I think they need more influence.

Hans Ebert had a post about Kara a while back, and I think he summed up her strengths and weaknessess pretty cogently:

TIME TO JUDGE KARA DIOGUARDI

As for Kara DioGuardi, well, especially, this Season many of us who had supported her in the past, noticed a change. And it wasn’t nice.

She became something akin to the not-so-nice side of “Monica” in “Friends”- almost a control freak and needing to have the last word. In fact, she just seemed needy. And when Ellen came on board, she became even more needy, more obnoxious, more annoying and just so much, well, more, that she became over-bearing and too much to stomach. She was like the attention-seeking kid in school who’d wanna answer all the questions and when things would go wrong, would pretend to have a tummy ache. She also talked a loada crap.

From being this articulate, music-savvy person, we quickly saw a very unpleasant vixen that was always “on”. There were brief moments when she didn’t think the camera was on her and this was when her “Off” switch would go on and we’d see someone seemingly thinking, “What the hell can I say next so I won’t look like a complete twit?”.

. . .

To paraphrase the song, “Will she stay or will she go” as a Judge on “Idol”? I’m tipping that she is replaced and that the “official word” would be that she’s left to work on her new record label under Warner and focus on the artists on it, especially the Chris Brown wannabe and her protégé Jason Derulo and will be making “guest appearances”.

FWIW, Hans is pals with Simon Fuller.

Sorry, I’m representing for Kara. I thought she grew in the role, offered sound and specific criticism last season (mostly) and genuinely cared for the contestants. I would have rathered Randy leave. For me, Kara (for continuity), Harry Conick, Jr. and Shania Twain would have done the trick. No rocker, no Brit, but I think all 3 could have collectively offered bite, and certainly all 3 are industry pros. Not excited at all about any of the rumored 3 — Tyler, JLo or Randy.

I know my opinion might be unpopular, but I dont think there is anything they can do to get more viewers to invest in this sinking ship. Until they populate a panel with some knowledgeable industry talent evaluators, get judges who give meaningful critiques, increase the diversity of their contestants, and most of all, change the voting system, I think the show will continue its downward spiral into oblivion. I like the format of the SYTYCD show, who calls its winner “America’s Favorite Dancer;” at least that title precludes argument over who is the “most talented.” I know it is a reality TV show and needs to be scripted as such, but shouldnt the goal be to come up with a winner who is indeed popular and will sell lots of albums and concert tickets? Just saying…

I am not surprised that Kara is gone. She was very knowledgeable about the business but you need to be able to project warmth and be relatable. She also had the unenviable position of replacing Paula whom many people liked. Last year when she was scripted to play up to Simon it seemed phoney. I wish her the best. Randy is an original and hopefully he will step up to the plate with better critiques since he is the only judge remaining from the original series. I can see how he and JLO and Steve will work. There should be better chemistry between the judges this year. Last year it seemed that a new friend was invited to the party but everyone was in a different corner of the room instead of coming together to make it work.

I think Kara did a fine job last year, but let’s remember that the formula for the judges table is “producer-pop-star-asshole.” Randy already filled the “producer” slot. He’s got one more year on his contract. As much as I preferred Kara to Randy in actual critiques, I also think they really want a “male-female-male” and the female slot is going to the “popstar.” Kara was never going to fill the “Paula” character. When she tried to last year, those were her worst moments. She’s really a “Randy” but sadly, they already have a “Randy.”

I’d LOVE to know who’s *really* in charge of “choosing the talent.” It’s always more about casting a television show than scouting out a potential pop star.

True. My daughter and I went to New Orleans. Interesting experience. They have 10 tables set up with 1 or 2 “producers” and they herd the contestants up to the tables 4 at a time. So basically 40 people are auditioning at once. You get about 30 seconds at the beginning but by the time you get to the middle the producers are bored and they are letting you sing for maybe 15 seconds. I would say maybe 1 in 60 got through to the next round (you had to come back in a month to audition for more producers and then if you make that you have to come back again to actually be the ones to go in front of the judges!) You couldn’t really hear anyone because the Arena is pretty big but you could tell who got through because they went to a different door. Other than the initial twinge of rejection my daughter wasn’t too upset about not getting through but it makes me wonder what they are looking for.

You know, the more I think about it, the more Steve Tyler makes sense. They need a name to fill Simon’s seat. A big name. Harry Connick Jr and Chris Issak aren’t big enough. Also? They need someone to play the “asshole” role. Someone like Ellen would never step up tot hat, her whole career is based on America liking her too much. Elton John would’ve been perfect but the chances of that happening were nil. Sir Elton is comfortable in England. He’s comfortable where he’s leaving his career. He doesn’t need the money. He has no need to add to the resume. And there was that little “Idol voters are racist” incident back in season 3. You insult the contestants, not the voting audience. Wasn’t going to happen.
So who is there to fill the slot? Who has a famous name, needs the career boost, but doesn’t need America to love him for his career? A Rock and Roll legend of course. Sadly Freddy Mercury is dead lo these past 20 years, or he’d be a shoo in. Ozzy isn’t coherent. Robert Plant is making country music. Mick Jagger wouldn’t even guest judge on Rolling Stones week, let alone consider a steady gig. The rest of them are has-beening it up on VH1.
Steven Tyler, on the other hand. He’s not has-beening. He’s coherent. He’s still making rock’n’roll, heck he was just on tour last year, well, sorta. He’s still got the drive to be out there. And the more I think about it, the more I can totally see him being the asshole judge who tells it like it is. If they object he will say he’s “Rock’nRoll Baby!” He’s not going to mince words. The more I think about it, the more I think this just might work.

OMG. Are they ever going in the wrong direction if these choices are finalized! Celebrities are all about themselves, not the performers… and I don’t think either Lopez/Tyler have the wit or intelligence to pull of an idol judging gig.

I honestly came to respect Kara this past season… and feel a little bad for her… On the other hand, I’m SURE she’s going to have the last laugh.

Better move for me would be panel of unknown but respected industry insiders. They would provide credibility and interest… we would tune in to hear what they had to say. Ah well.

Okay, I’m starting to warm upt to a Steven/JLo/Randy (ugh) line-up at the judges’ bench.

Randy has been phoning it it for years and I’d be happy if they replaced him as well but if they need one returning judge for continuity, he’s the one I’d choose. He is knowledgable, he can give useful commentary when he tries and maybe with a new, fresh judging panel – and the other three judges gone, he’ll step up and offer more than “yo, check it out, dawg” this season.

If this is true about Kara being axed, I’m happy. I admit she occasional gave relevant commentary, and more often than the other three judges this season, but all of that was overshadowed by her antics with Simon, her constant attention-seeking, back-stabbing behavior, her cougar schtick bordering on sexual harassment that embarrassed herself, Casey and everyone else, her condescension towards the contestants and Ellen, and her attempt to one-up everyone else. Oh yeah, and her fixation on the “package” artist…look how well that turned out. She said they cast radio voices when they should have been casting for an entertaining show.

Ellen was probably the first to realize being on the show was a bad fit. She had the good sense to step aside; she’s classy, smart and cares about the contestants but she can still do that by having them on her show and enjoy like the fan she is.

It’s time for a fresh start and this gets rid of most of the dead wood.

As for JLo, I’m reserving judgement. She has been supportive of the contestants in her role as mentor so hopefully will find constructive ways to criticize and will be encouraging. She’s beautiful which brings the men, she’s Latina which brings more diversity and whether she’s been successful or not as a recording artist, actress, dancer. etc. is a matter of opinion. For a while she was a huge star and she’s been in the business for years, has figured out how to be a REAL “package artist” with her clothing line and other stuff that goes into being a “brand” in the music and entertainment business. It could work out great, or not so great. On paper she looks like a reasonable choice. We’ll see.

Steven Tyler – I concur with those who see the potential. I don’t think he’s a mean guy like Simon, but then I don’t think the show needs a “mean judge”… I think the show needs honest judges. As for his substance abuse past, I think this is a chance for rehabilitiation for him. Assuming he is and remains clean and sober, it’s a chance to be in the limelight and do something constructive. He certainly has the musical credibility and understands how to make commercially viable pop(rock) music from various angles.

Randy remains the representative “suit” on the panel as a producer, executive A&R guy and musician.

So here’s hoping Kara will step down to “devote more time to her family and other business ventures”.

Randy has been phoning it it for years and I’d be happy if they replaced him as well but if they need one returning judge for continuity, he’s the one I’d choose. He is knowledgable, he can give useful commentary when he tries and maybe with a new, fresh judging panel – and the other three judges gone, he’ll step up and offer more than “yo, check it out, dawg” this season.

I simply can’t get behind this. At all.

Randy has been on this show nine seasons. Through various iterations of that judging panel, though admittedly not a wholesale change. He hasn’t so much as shown once that he is worth keeping. Ever. And yet he’s the holdover?

Seriously, unless the producers think “good TV” is keeping around someone who comes off like an incoherent oaf who stumbled into the biggest gig ever, I don’t understand his continued, time-wasting presence. He hasn’t shown any charisma on that panel. His critiques are not only useless, but often inaccurate (not every performance you didn’t like had glaring pitch problems, dawg). And the only time he ever seems to get any attention is when he’s screwing up.

As to Kara… look, she has flaws as a judge. Gaping, massive flaws. That said, she grew over the course of two seasons (compare to Randy’s nine), and was the only judge giving coherent critiques last season. And you’re tossing on two people who haven’t really shown that ability. (J.Lo was maybe one of my favorite mentors ever, but that’s a very different thing than actually being on a live judging panel). So she’s the one to get the boot?

So screw continuity. It’s almost like Idol wants there to be no actual critique, ever. Only empty vessels to pass on whatever meme of the week. And I’m getting even more frustrated than ever.

Anyway, I can see why they would keep Randy. He’s the continuity with the start. He’s useless, but he has a pretty decent eye for talent. I don’t know (as he would say), but maybe he’ll step up his game if he becomes the elder-statesman of the panel. Maybe he won’t phone it in when he knows people might actually listen to him (he had to have known people were just waiting to see what Simon would say).

Again, not behind this, but to be more specific, has Randy specifically shown that he has a good eye for talent? Or that he just tends to say “yes” a lot? He never had a reputation of championing someone who did a la Paula (who actually did have a good eye for talent, behind all of the crazy).

This thread is an entertaining read this morning and it seems that many of the posters have reconciled to Tyler being one of the judges and are willing to give him a fair chance. So what I am hoping for now is that the whole Tyler thing is nothing but a rumor and the truth will be revealed Monday and it will be an even bigger surprise. Just for laughs and because at this point I just don’t give a crap…….I’m just glad both Kara and Ellen are gone.

Man, I go to sleep and then THIS? First Ellen quits, and Kara is fired. I wasn’t always the biggest fan of Kara but I grew to respect her. More than once she gave the best advice of the judges.

Jennifer Lopez….no thank you.

Steven Tyler however, I don’t mind to look at him so much. Still no Simon but I can deal with Steven Tyler.

I honestly can’t believe the S. Tyler story. He is very talented and qualified to judge but his fansare not likely to follow him to AI, are they? Wouldn’t it hurt his credibility with his fan base if he did it?

Reminder:

Another reminder to keep this thread on-topic and focused on the judges, rather than the contestants. Thank you.

BootStar: I’ve never believed the “judges” had much to do with whom they cast on the show. Maybe they have some say at Hollywood week, but they’re choosing 24 or 36 contestants out of an original pool of 50,000 to 100,000.

I’d LOVE to know who’s *really* in charge of “choosing the talent.” It’s always more about casting a television show than scouting out a potential pop star. That’s one of the mysteries that’s never really been revealed about the show, but given the apparent rift between the Freemantle people and the 19E ones, it would explain a LOT.

That’s probably right. But I really thought where they messed up the worst was in choosing the s9 top 24. If the judges have any input in that then that’s where they’ve really got to do a better job than last season.

Does it really matter who the judges are? Do they, all by their itty bitty lonesomes really choose the gold ticket holders, or those that make it through Hollywood week…I’ll bet my wages that their are other peeps who have their say who makes it through the initial televised rounds.

Once the final 24/36 are chosen then it is up to the notorious “voters” to cast their favs for the remaining weeks. If the audience is so “sheeplike” as to follow the leads of any of the judges then that is their silly fault.

AI is a reality entertainment show that is all about the ratings. If they can populate the show with controversy THEY WILL. What would industry insiders as judges bring to the show…if they are “too smart about music” a percentage of the voting public would just tune them out anyway since it is human nature for many peeps to think their opinion is better than any professional.

Randy has stayed popular because he IS PREDICTABLE. It is apparent after 9 years that the viewing audience likes his repeated repertoire and they look forward to his “Dawg” and “pitchy” and “it’s just alright for me”. We have ample proof that the AI audience likes the status quote…I mean 3 WGWG in a row.

I’ll give AI a chance, again. As long as some serious talent makes it through to the final 12 I’ll watch, even if I have to record the program and fast forward through the judges comments and Ryan’s attempts at being funny and relevant…(Hell, I’ve been doing that for 4 or 5 years now, anyway).

So bandaid covers the bullet-hole, huh? Well, I suppose it could be worse but seriously Jenny from the Block and Steven Tyler? I adore Aerosmith, but I’m not sure what role Steven Tyler could possibly fill. Jennifer Lopez seems really sweet (I don’t much remember her mentoring from season 6 however) but I don’t think she’s relevent either. When will TIIC wake up and realize that the problem can’t be solved by adding/subtracting a judge? I don’t watch for the judges as much as I may like/dislike them, I watch for the contestants. I can only hope that they select a more diverse cast of contestants for this season, otherwise these new judges will have nothing to work with and we’ll be stuck with the same mess that consumed much of season 9.

@Mark:

Again, not behind this, but to be more specific, has Randy specifically shown that he has a good eye for talent? Or that he just tends to say “yes” a lot?

No, what Randy has shown, time and again, in every season, is that he makes an excellent producer’s mouthpiece. Think back over the seasons. Randy always champions the producer’s chosen one and always depimps right on schedule, without ever going into Paula’s “You’re going to be in top two!” blurts, or going and saying what he thinks for real like Simon does.

Cookiebr7:
07/30/2010 at 9:34 am
Until they populate a panel with some knowledgeable industry talent evaluators, get judges who give meaningful critiques, increase the diversity of their contestants, and most of all, change the voting system, I think the show will continue its downward spiral into oblivion.

Ditto. That’s why I’m excited about Nigel. He is probably the person most suited to turn things around.

SYTYCD judges are pretty technical and half-educate the audience when they explain to the dancers why they like/don’t like a performance. They are TV friendly but so focussed on the dancers.

Music industry producers mentor and critique talent for a living. They know how to give honest feedback without de-motivating their performers. All AI needs to do is find some TV friendly ones.

I know people don’t want Randy to come back but I do. He was the only one that got Siobhan right from the beginning. He also got Lilly Scott too. Also back in season 3 if it wasn’t for him Jennifer Hudson wouldn’t be on the show, all the other judges had voted her off but he choose her to come back wild card night. So he might can’t give great advice but he has an eye and ear for talent.

Steven Tyler, on the other hand. He’s not has-beening.

LOL. I guess ‘has-beening’ is in the eye of the beholder, because I think he’s the very definition of the word.

I think they have made a big mistake in thinking they have to choose stars for the panel. They needed to find charismatic people who can draw the audience in – doesn’t matter if they’re famous. I see a train wreck on the horizon. I’ve been watching since season 3, but I don’t think I’ll be watching next year.

Who is Hans Ebert? Not that I necessarilly disagree with what he said, but I just haven’t a clue as to why his opinion is important. Is he an industry insider? I am disappointed Kara didn’t work out because she is a smart and successful woman in the industry. Too bad her personality wasn’t appealing on the show. You know, I think she was intimidated by Simon. I wonder if she would have done better this year with Simon gone?

I wonder if we are going to have an Aerosmith themed week? I don’t mind Steven Tyler as a judge for the next year. He is a great performer, singer and musician. Really, can anyone ask for more?

I don’t mind JLO as I do think she fits in nicely in the Paula spot.

I actually thought Randy had improved as a judge these past two years so I don’t mind him staying on.

The question I have about the rumored 3 judges panel is: who’s going to be the one to rein in the silliness and bring everybody down to earth? That was part of Simon’s job. Is Steven Tyler capable of that?

It’ll be interesting seeing who’s in the position to speak last. I’d think that would be Steven Tyler but who knows.

@sallysimmons:
I guess a better way of phrasing that was that Steven Tyler has not hasbeening it up on VH1. There are some old rock’n'rollsters (Def Leppard comes to mind) who are making a career of doing these “I love(insert decade),” and essentially doing the TV nostalgia circuit. Tyler isn’t, which lets the producers say he’s still relevant.

On paper, this judging panel makes sense. The real test will be next year, when we see them on TV. TV trumps paper every time.

@Windmills: Simon hasn’t rein in silliness for years now. That’s been Ryan’s job.

Beth
Kara is an awesome song writer for sure, but I think she wrote her own ticket to bye-bye land when she fell all over Casey James and had an emotional breakdown during Micheal Lynch’s performance. IMO, she tainted her MO. She should have held strong to her strong, successful producer and writer image. I won’t even get started on her tasteful nude photos.

Seriously? Can you take your shirt off? *shaking head* Can you imagine the uproar is Simon or Randy had even attempted any such similar comment with a young female?

I didn’t care a whole lot for the way she treated Casey and I definitely did not like the way she treated Anoop during season 8. I think that she hindered Anoop in a way, and she didn’t do Casey much of a favor by acting the way she did towards him.

I think that she had a tendency to overexaggerate with her critiques. I think that she’s overall a nice person, but tried to hard to fit in on the judges panel. And I think that this affected how people viewed her and her sincerity.

Davidx2 -”Now please put S7 on DVD so that we can preserve the last and best season of AI!” This made me giggle but I completely agree!!!

men I HATE Kara. But really… this show needs her. Judges’ job is to FIND the talent. When it’s up to America to choose the winnner I don’t care about what they say anymore.

Ellen knew she was a bad fit and was smart to quit on her own.

Kara’s problem her first season was she was the newbie in an already established group and had trouble fitting into that group. Last season she tried to be like Paula, but that’s not who she is or what they wanted her to do. So she alwasy ended up trying too hard and not quite fitting right.

Randy is predictable but I do think he can spot talent – see Season 3 (Jennifer Hudson – his wildcardc choice), Season 8 (Kris Allen – he got him from the beginning more then the others) and Season 9 (Siobhan Magnus – probably the only one of the judges who really did).

As far as Jennifer Lopez goes, I do think she can take the Paula role – she’s been successful and knows how to survive out in the “real world” of the entertainment industry.

Not sure how I feel abot Steven Tyler and I think he could be either really good or really bad and I don’t see a middle ground there.

I think that these three will be very interesting to say the least, but am overjoyed at Karas departure. She was there two years two long – I would yell at my TV sometimes for her to just shut up and get on with it so, very happy with her going bye bye

No, what Randy has shown, time and again, in every season, is that he makes an excellent producer’s mouthpiece

I think that Randy was no more of a producer’s mouthpiece than Paula, and even Simon was. I think that he will go along with the producer’s wishes at times, but that he also likes what he likes and will say that. There were definitely times when Paula and/or Simon would go along with seemed like what TPTB wanted and Randy would just support whoever he felt like supporting.

I admit he doesn’t always give the most constructive criticism. But I do think that he like Paula has an eye for talent and would support the contestants that Simon would intially reject. (Like Chris Daughtry and David Cook)

“”Davidx2 -”Now please put S7 on DVD so that we can preserve the last and best season of AI!” This made me giggle but I completely agree!!! ”"”

I have to agree with this with the exception of Adam and Kris from season 8, Season 7 I enjoyed them all in some way especially the videos from the tour and the mavid, I missed that goofiness the last two years, well this year I havent watched but maybe one video of tour but I havent heard of any fun like that so far.

So, does Teflon Randy own pics of Simon Fuller having sex with farm animals or what?

LOL Either that, or TPTB remember that he brought them AFL.

Truth be told, can anyone see JLo and KaraD on the same panel?… Didn’t think so.

Randy always champions the producer’s chosen one and always depimps right on schedule, without ever going into Paula’s “You’re going to be in top two!” blurts, or going and saying what he thinks for real like Simon does.

ITA – he’s the producer’s mouthpiece, totally.

I’m not really bothered whether he goes or stays, personally. He never mattered to me that much in any season I’ve watched. Simon was the draw, for both contestants (going by what they’ve said) and audience.

Kara did actually give some sound criticism last season. And was better than in season 8, definitely. She does know the business.

But when people say that the primary purpose of the show is putting on entertaining TV, then that goes for the judges as much as for the contestants. And Kara comes across as condescending, sexist and sometimes, downright nasty (see Tim last season, who certainly was not a great singer, but didn’t deserve the snide comments she made).

Like I said before, Simon has enough charm and wit to get away with it – Kara doesn’t: and that is her primary problem as a TV judge. The audience isn’t with her and, in many cases, simply do not like her. You need to be able to love your villain, for him/her to work.

Oh and – I’d buy a season 7 dvd. Come on ptb, that’s at least 3 or 4 orders! :lol

I wonder if she would have done better this year with Simon gone?

I was beginning to think it was possible she could be a good replacement for the “Simon Role.” Her judgments were relevant last season; long, but relevant. It seems possible she could have blossomed when out from under Simon’s presence. That, and a little therapy.

Oh and – I’d buy a season 7 dvd. Come on ptb, that’s at least 3 or 4 orders! :lol

hahaha yep! And sumidol I enjoyed S8 too!

Folks,

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — Season 10 WILL BE THE LAST SEASON FOR THIS ICONIC SHOW.

Simon Cowell’s departure ( and earlier, Paula’s departure) all but killed whatever chemistry was left on this show.

To add insult to injury, we have the X-Factor coming to America.

For those who can’t remember, X-Factor in effect, took over Britain’s version of American Idol — Pop Idol, and effectively killed it.

What happened in Britain, can happen here.

Let’s face it, It’s been a good 10 years while it lasted.

Just heard about this. I actually liked Kara. That said:

I am disappointed Kara didn’t work out because she is a smart and successful woman in the industry. Too bad her personality wasn’t appealing on the show.

I think it boils down to this. Right resume, good critiques most of the time, but not likeable enough. This may be the same thing that kept her from working as a recording artist.

Ellen needed to go. She never got comfortbale giving actual critiques.

I like JLo. I thought she was a good mentor when she was on way back when. She was quite charismatic, came across as warm and gave decent advice. She also adds some diversity to the panel. I hold out hope for her.

What I don’t get is Steven Tyler. Why? If you are keeping Randy as the “musician/producer” voice, and adding JLo as the “empathetic performer” voice, who do you get as the “brutally honest label guy only interested in money” voice…. Steven Tyler?!!” Diddy makes more sense than him, or that Lilywhite guy. ‘Tis confused.

I’m kinda hoping they change their mind on Tyler before Monday. Eh.

I wonder if she (Kara) would have done better this year with Simon gone?

She might very well have. She was obviously working very hard to get better last year (when she wasn’t trying to Paula it up with Casey or Simon.) But I agree with weareallinnocent about seeing Kara on a panel with J.Lo. Anyone remember the tensions with Kara and Paula? Or better, Kara and Katy Perry last year? Yeah, I think that’s where it would go. Except x1000.

Not sure how I feel abot Steven Tyler and I think he could be either really good or really bad and I don’t see a middle ground there.

I’m just not sure how Steven might do. I don’t think that he would fit into the Simon role (big personality that tells it like it is/and helps keep people watching the show.)

He could possibly give constructive advice, but I don’t know how interesting he might be on the judges panel. He seems like he’s an interesting person outside of Idol, but I don’t know if that will translate over to him being an Idol judge.

I think that the panel needs Randy, and someone to fill the Paula role, which looks like it will be Jennifer Lopez. (Even though I could have seen some other suggestions that were made like Shania Twain, Jessica Simpson, Queen Latifah, etc fitting the Paula role as well.)

And then they need someone to fill Simon’s role. If they still want to have four judges, they could bring in someone like a Chris Isaak or Harry Connick Jr, who would bring intelligence and balance to the panel. (In Harry’s case, some humor as well).

I was listening to my local radio morning show this morning, they used to cover Idol a lot. Not so much in the past few seasons. The head guy is not a fan of Ellen and hated her on the show, the very little he did see of last season. He was however very excited about Steven Tyler and said that might shake things up and get him to watch again. They didn’t have much to say about JLo except they hope her butt gets coverage.

anibundel: @Windmills: Simon hasn’t rein in silliness for years now. That’s been Ryan’s job.

LOL good point. I hated on his shenanigans with Paula so bad. But he was still meant to bring some gravity to the panel sometimes wasn’t he?

Little Boy Blue: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — Season 10 WILL BE THE LAST SEASON FOR THIS ICONIC SHOW.

Your timeline’s off. Unless ratings sink into the 7 digits next season (which IMO is unlikely), AI will already have secured renewal for S11 before X Factor even goes on air. I’d say AI’s guaranteed at least 11 seasons. It’s true S11 will have it tough coming right after the 1st season of X Factor. But I’m not crowning X Factor yet.

The New York Times article recently reported that AI would still be profitable for FOX at half its ratings. That’s why it won’t be canceled next season. How long it’ll last after next season is anybody’s guess.

ITA Kara would’ve been better in the Simon role BUT that her and JLo on the same panel wouldn’t have worked. JLo is probably going to be better TV so that means Kara’s out the door. I still think they should integrate her into the show as a writer who works with the finalists to craft each of them an original song for their coronation song. Maybe the S10 compilation album could be an original song that each of them cowrote with Kara. Not that I’m a big fan of hers as a writer but I think it’d be good for the finalists and good for her.

Woman, you’re smart, you’re successful in the industry, you know what you’re talking about, you don’t need to sit in a man’s lap to be taken seriously or to make you likable.

Yah, she really screwed with The Inner Feminist.

Again, not behind this, but to be more specific, has Randy specifically shown that he has a good eye for talent? Or that he just tends to say “yes” a lot? He never had a reputation of championing someone who did a la Paula (who actually did have a good eye for talent, behind all of the crazy).

I see it a little differently. It is Paula who said yes a lot. The auditioners would crumble when they would get a “No” from her because that meant they were doomed. Of course, it was Simon who was most frequently wrong and Paula/Randy would save the day.

Randy often championed people who went on to do well on the show. He frequently argued against Simon during the auditions and gave good reasons. And I recall it was he who picked Elliott Yamin out of the group number when the Bitter twin was ranting away.

As the competition rounds would go on, Randy would be all “Yo! Dawg” and “I Don’t Know” and “For me for you for me”, but during the auditions he sniffed out the talent. He just got lazy on the live show and maybe he can change that.

I’m not a big Randy supporter, but I don’t believe that Paula was some kind of super-judge. I have to say, if I was a contestant, I would want Randy picking my song. Simon’s choices were all about moments. He didn’t give a crap who you were as an artist, he was going to try to create a moment and if you failed, it was your fault. And his “Bag of Moments” consists mainly of moldy, over-played songs. Sometimes it worked. Meanwhile, Paula’s choices were almost all idiotic that it almost appeared that she was sand-bagging contestants. I still remember being stunned when she announced that Clay Aiken was going to sing “Mack the Knife” in order to show the world he wasn’t just a lounge singer he was frequently accused of being. “Mack the Knife” is the loungiest lounge song that ever did lounge. The litany of bad song choices she made is legendary. It showed that she hadn’t much of a clue, IMO. Meanwhile, Randy didn’t always make brilliant choices but he did tend to pick something that would help the artist show who they were.

Simon was the classic A&R person. You will sing this because I know what is best. Paula was a flake assigning songs that came to her while she was crooning to her dogs. Randy was an advocate for the artist and trying to work with them. He showed the producer that he is.

I think it’s great Randy is able to hone in on talent, but he does nothing to help these people grow. Sure he ‘gets’ Siobhan, but did he ever manage to help her when she started to lose herself? I want to see the judges actually facilitate the growth of the contestants, not just say “Yo dawg that was dope!” and leave it at that. If they have a bad performance, critique them on it that way they can at least have something to work with instead of just complaining when they suck the next week.

Much as I try, this Steven Tyler thing scares the beejezus out of me.
I think the lips alone are enough to deter the public from watching. I don’t see the Tyler thing happening at all. IMO, even Nigel would be a much more palatable option.

Wonder what ever happened to the rotating host judge using past successful contestants. Now, that would be something I think lots of people would enjoy. Plus, they’ve been there and made it work. Who would be more knowledgeable to give these contestants advice?

ITA Kara would’ve been better in the Simon role BUT that her and JLo on the same panel wouldn’t have worked. JLo is probably going to be better TV so that means Kara’s out the door.

Yep. This. Kara and Jlo on the same panel probably wouldn’t bring out the best in either of them, particularly Kara. Oh well.

Randy was an advocate for the artist and trying to work with them. He showed the producer that he is.

I think it’s interesting that Randy is the one that you hear actually working/helping some of the contestants after their stints on Idol is over. (Like helping Brooke White and Kimberley Locke).

I’m not a big Randy supporter, but I don’t believe that Paula was some kind of super-judge. I have to say, if I was a contestant, I would want Randy picking my song. Simon’s choices were all about moments. He didn’t give a crap who you were as an artist, he was going to try to create a moment and if you failed, it was your fault. And his “Bag of Moments” consists mainly of moldy, over-played songs. Sometimes it worked. Meanwhile, Paula’s choices were almost all idiotic that it almost appeared that she was sand-bagging contestants. I still remember being stunned when she announced that Clay Aiken was going to sing “Mack the Knife” in order to show the world he wasn’t just a lounge singer he was frequently accused of being. “Mack the Knife” is the loungiest lounge song that ever did lounge. The litany of bad song choices she made is legendary. It showed that she hadn’t much of a clue, IMO. Meanwhile, Randy didn’t always make brilliant choices but he did tend to pick something that would help the artist show who they were.

Oh, yeah, Paula was no super-judge by any means of the imagination, and hands down the worst song-choice person in a final three episode. Though I disagree that Randy picked choices that helped demonstrate who the artist was; he just picked things that could all be wrapped up in the term “uninspired” and left to be ignored. Safe, though.

I see it a little differently. It is Paula who said yes a lot. The auditioners would crumble when they would get a “No” from her because that meant they were doomed. Of course, it was Simon who was most frequently wrong and Paula/Randy would save the day.

Randy often championed people who went on to do well on the show. He frequently argued against Simon during the auditions and gave good reasons. And I recall it was he who picked Elliott Yamin out of the group number when the Bitter twin was ranting away.

I don’t remember that note about Elliott, so I’ll admit that was a useful one, as well as Jennifer Hudson. (I suppose his one saving grace may be that he possibly made the best wildcard picks consistently, but that’s a bit like saying being better than those people at the nursing home at marathons) Still, I don’t really remember him as really championing people in the way Paula occasionally would. I guess that might be a good thing if there was any thought of impartiality, but in the seasons I’ve watched he’s generally just made the most status quo endorsements possible.

UGGGGH. I do not like this.

Am I the only one who thinks JLo has some bitch in her? Sure, she shares many of the same career similarities as Paula, but something tells me she’s got a ruthlessness about her to have climbed so high up the ladder. She’s proof that you can be a star with determination, even if you lack extraordinary talent. Steven Tyler is plenty credible in my book, but I was hoping for Gene Simmons. Perhaps ol’ Gene would have made it too much about himself, though. And Randy? He’s good old fashioned nostalgia, dawg!

I see it a little differently. It is Paula who said yes a lot. The auditioners would crumble when they would get a “No” from her because that meant they were doomed. Of course, it was Simon who was most frequently wrong and Paula/Randy would save the day.

Well, I suppose if you simply count on the number of times someone has said “no”, Paula would have the least. But even those “yeses”, in their own hilarious way, were more contrarian than Randy was even on a good day.

Randy has been on this show nine seasons. Through various iterations of that judging panel, though admittedly not a wholesale change. He hasn’t so much as shown once that he is worth keeping. Ever. And yet he’s the holdover?

Yes because…

No, what Randy has shown, time and again, in every season, is that he makes an excellent producer’s mouthpiece. Think back over the seasons. Randy always champions the producer’s chosen one and always depimps right on schedule, without ever going into Paula’s “You’re going to be in top two!” blurts, or going and saying what he thinks for real like Simon does.

I agree with most of this, anibundel, except that I don’t think Simon kept it real either. I’ve said above that I’d welcome an entirely new 3-judge panel, including getting rid of Randy, but if they can’t for contractual reasons, or won’t for continuity reasons, Randy is the easiest one to keep.

As an aside, I have heard Randy interviewed off of Idol about music and the business in general, and while he likes to name-drop in sometimes unintentionally hillarious ways, he knows his stuff musically and business-wise (at least as well as anyone else in the business these days).

He’s been a reliable advocate of the Powers-That-Be behind the scenes at Idol as he eventually falls in line whatever they are looking for, despite whatever his personal musical preferences may be. He may be the village idiot of AI with his “dawg pound” schtick but he’s a useful idiot. Plus, Kara’s firing and Ellen’s departure along with Simon leaving, should serve as a warning to Randy that he could be next if he doesn’t shape up. We’ll see.

I’d love to know how much, if any, of the survey results actually figured into these decisions. I gave all four judges bad scores but maybe people think Randy’s the more likeable of the two insiders and that’s why he gets to stay and Kara got the heave-ho.

ETA… OvenMitt: “Am I the only one who thinks JLo has some bitch in her?”

No you’re not alone. I’ve heard she can be quite a diva. I recall another mother of a newborn in a NY hospital having to vacate the “special” hospital room so that JLo could have it when she went there to have her twins. That may have been the hospital’s doing, but it rubbed me the wrong way. But I digress. Paula was also reputed to be “bitchy” or difficult or diva-ish behind scenes, but she was consistently nice to the contestants.

Even though I don’t like the Tyler idea, this + JLo – Kara – Ellen shakeup is a step in the right direction. I pretty much stopped watching half way through last season. I might watch season 10.

OvenMitt: Am I the only one who thinks JLo has some bitch in her?

Nope. Just the same as I think Simon has a lot of bitch in him. I think Ryan and Paula have a lot of bitch in them too.

Randy may be the only person who’s ever been a regular on the AI judges panel who doesn’t give me at least some bitch vibes.

I don’t remember that note about Elliott, so I’ll admit that was a useful one, as well as Jennifer Hudson.

For a little classic AI, here is Elliott’s Hollywood Group Number which show Simon (focusing on the political), Randy (picking out the talent at 2:30) and Paula (being the den mother). Plus the Bitter twin showing why Hollywood is so hard on everybody’s nerves (the expressions on the other’s faces while he’s talking are hilarious).

I think that was the first time we saw Elliott sing on the show (they didn’t show his audition).

Paula and Randy made mistakes in finding talent. As I recall, didn’t they love Taylor Hicks, but Simon hated him. So, Taylor Hicks won American Idol but where is he now? Taylor Hicks won because he was a popular contestant, not because he was the MOST talented.

Why doesn’t this show/label support the winners? This is where the show goes wrong. You don’t have to win the show to make it, so what is the point of voting for a winner? This is the reason people are abandoning the show. They are finding the show has little to do with finding the best talent and more about manipulating the public. The voting system completely sucks when people can power vote for their favorites, turning it into a popularity contest.

Paula and Randy made mistakes in finding talent. As I recall, didn’t they love Taylor Hicks, but Simon hated him. So, Taylor Hicks won American Idol but where is he now? Taylor Hicks won because he was a popular contestant, not because he was the MOST talented.

That year, Simon also rejected Chris Daughtry while Paula and Randy said yes.

IDK. They picked the winner of the show and the winner of sales that year. Pretty good track record if you ask me.

Of course, it was Simon who was most frequently wrong

It’s amazing how Simon has this reputation as the best judge when he was by far the worst judge of talent. He loved his divas, hated humbleness in contestants, had no actual knowledge of current music or trends, was a sucker for a pretty face and could have a cruel streak at times. If anyone ever does a thorough study of his critiques through his tenure on Idol,it will prove that he is a poor judge of talent.

Randy always judged first, imo, it´s very difficult to voice an opinion, only seconds later after seeing and hearing something. Was it so others could barrow time and get there thoughts put together? Because Randy needed it less? Would Randy benefit hearing other judges go first and then adding his thoughts etc. Anyone have a theory?

I think the thing about Simon is that when he does get it right, he usually both hits the nail right on the head and expresses it with a cruelly accurate and yet funny phrase. There’s a streak of cruelty in the audience for responding to that kind of spiel, but it’s the same knack for saying exactly what you’re thinking, but what most of us would never actually say, out loud, that good comedians have.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that he’s always right: in fact there have been plenty of times when I’ve vehemently disagreed with him. And his taste in music is definitely stuck a couple of decades in the past. But all of that is actually part of the appeal.

As it happens, I think he’s lost his bite in the last two years, both on AI and the X Factor, become less ‘nasty’ and lost his edge. Maybe he’s just lost interest?

ETA: I don’t think it was necessarily that Paula was a great judge – though she did pick out talent sometimes that the others overlooked (sometimes with Randy; sometimes against him too).

It’s more that even with her rambling nonsense critiques and obsession with how the contestants looked, the panel just worked with her on it and it didn’t work when they replaced her. It’s not even that she was irreplaceable – I’m sure that they could have got it to work if they’d found the right person. But, they didn’t.

Randy always judged first, imo, it´s very difficult to voice an opinion, only seconds later after seeing and hearing something. Was it so others could barrow time and get there thoughts put together? Because Randy needed it less? Would Randy benefit hearing other judges go first and then adding his thoughts etc. Anyone have a theory?

I don’t have a theory–merely a memory. I forget if it was season 5 or 6, but during a semi round, Simon did something really bad to Paula and she and Randy switched chairs. Paula suddenly had to go first. Suddenly Paula’s critiques were interesting. Why? Because she didn’t have Randy to parrot, she had to come up with her own opinion.
And even more amazingly? Suddenly Randy’S critiques were the best on the panel. Why? Because he had the extra seconds to gather his thoughts. It was AMAZING what one little chair swap did.

Of course, the next night they switched back to the regular seating chart and Paula and Randy’s critiques went back to being useless…..

To paraprhase MJ: The topic is judges. Not old fanwars.

omg! I have been gone for a week from this site and come back to find that Ellen is not returning for AI10 and now Kara is out the door. Holy cow, this must mean that the show is getting a major overhaul by tptb.

A good song is a good song and it doesn’t matter what genre it is, so I completely disagree. They could have given Taylor good songs to record for his post-Idol cd, instead they him crappy ballads, lukewarm soul and Ray Charles rip-off songs to record. Sony should have realized those songs would never work and radio would never play that.

They should have worked with the winner of the show to at least give his sound a more modern appeal, instead of giving all their attention to the 4th place finisher. Big fail.

Paula and Randy made mistakes in finding talent. As I recall, didn’t they love Taylor Hicks, but Simon hated him. So, Taylor Hicks won American Idol but where is he now? Taylor Hicks won because he was a popular contestant, not because he was the MOST talented.

Your milage may vary I think Paula and Randy were right about Taylor’s talent. Taylor’s the reason I started watching American Idol and I’ve seen him perform live 5 times since Idol (not including the AI Live tour which I also saw) and have always enjoyed his performances, his own music, some of the music from his “commercial” release as well as his second indie album. He was great TV, love ‘im or hate him, and it was a very diverse and deep talent pool and the ratings were high as a result.

Why doesn’t this show/label support the winners? This is where the show goes wrong. You don’t have to win the show to make it, so what is the point of voting for a winner? This is the reason people are abandoning the show. They are finding the show has little to do with finding the best talent and more about manipulating the public. The voting system completely sucks when people can power vote for their favorites, turning it into a popularity contest.

Now THIS is the question. I think the PTB were used to Kelly and Carrie level successes in terms of UNITS sold and assumed that the Idol winner was self-propeled enough by winning they didn’t have to do much to promote. The problem started with devaluing what it means to be the winner, when Daughtry was treated as the defacto winner in terms of support (I understand why Daughtry was favored and it paid off for them commercially… just sayin’). They wrote Taylor off because (a) they were planning on Chris Daughtry (and maybe Kellie Pickler) being their Idol cash cow, and (b) they didn’t think Taylor had the kind of commercial appeal that they wanted to sell or knew how the sell; Top 40/HAC hitmakers. I think if they’d done a blues-oriented album with Taylor he would have sold at least as well (as the Idol winner), but maybe would have been more credible in a smaller niche market that fit him better. They made the same mistake with Bo.

Anyway, I think the PTB tarnished the Idol crown somewhat by practicing “you don’t have to win to be a winner” with some of their chosen runners-up. Simon Fuller seems more interested in Alex Lambert who didn’t even make it to the top 12 than in Lee DeWyze – the winner. If the PBT aren’t enthusiastic about the winner when the winner is treated as an afterthought, why would they expect the general public to be?

I think JLo would at least add some glamour and interest to the panel. Steven Tyler?? EEEK! I can’t imagine looking at his ancient, drug-addled, creepy face throughout the show. Dude looks like a lady, an old one that’s had way too much plastic surgery.

Paula and Randy made mistakes in finding talent. As I recall, didn’t they love Taylor Hicks, but Simon hated him. So, Taylor Hicks won American Idol but where is he now? Taylor Hicks won because he was a popular contestant, not because he was the MOST talented.

I would count Taylor Hicks in the mistakes for Simon as well. Yes he’s not the most successfull winner out there, but was it a mistake to cast him on the show? I don’t think so, he was an entertaining contestant and an integrant part of the best AI season yet. The fact that he won is entirely due to the voters, not Paula/Randy saying yes to him in the auditions.

I know that I’m going to regret this at the hundreth time I hear the same old critics from Randy but I remember him always focusing on the vocal ability during the audition process.

Why doesn’t this show/label support the winners? This is where the show goes wrong. You don’t have to win the show to make it, so what is the point of voting for a winner?

What bothers me is less that they don’t support the winners, as much as that, for the last two season they have openly predetermined who they will support before the first live show even airs. It was obvious in seasons 8 and 9 who they were going to support when it was over–because the rest of the cast was deliberately mediocre, in order to get us to vote for the “proper” people. Nigel had a much better take in seasons 4-7. Cast 10 people with genuine talent. Their chosen might not win, but the more “idol alum” you flood the market with, the better for the show’s cred. And if you can cast a country, a pop, a gospel, an R&B, then you get one in every market sort of deal. Who cares if Mandisa came in 8th? She sells records in her gospel market. That’s an idol alum planted. When all 10 are good enough, then it doesn’t matter if the producer’s chosen goes out fourth, at least the winner doesn’t feel like a sham.

I jumped on here to see what everyone is saying about Kara getting cut from AI . . . and the comments aren’t about that. LOL. Well, at least she got her naked picture published while 20 million were still watching her.

Re: the shake up:

I’ll miss Ellen, although I don’t think she’s a useful music critic.

I like JLo. If she can force herself to be direct and make comments with clear substance, I think she’ll be good.

Kara–so glad if she’s really out. I agreed with some of what she said, and she had some insight sometimes, but she really said a lot of self-serving crap too. And that whole thing with Casey–terrible for both of them.

Randy–Needs a thesaurus.

Steven Tyler? I only know him as an impressive singer. Is he articulate? Does he have a fun personality? Will he make it all about him? I prefer Harry Connick only because I know that I already like him.

The problem with Kara is that she was just unlikeable. You cannot have a judge on the panel that is unlikeable.

The problem with Kara is that she was just unlikeable. You cannot have a judge on the panel that is unlikeable.

Yes. I don’t know why I don’t like her, but I don’t.

Steven Tyler??? Come on, that’s ridiculous. I don’t want to look at his crazy mug and people are calling JLo a has been? He’s a burnt out rocker. I would say Steven Tyler may be the jumping the shark moment or it may be genius (if it’s even true). Time will tell.

This was asked a page ago, but I wanted to respond:

Who is Hans Ebert? Not that I necessarilly disagree with what he said, but I just haven’t a clue as to why his opinion is important. Is he an industry insider?

Yes, he’s an industry insider and former exec with EMI and has a relationship with with Simon Fuller, so I think that post was a glimpse of what was being discussed behind the scenes with regard to Kara. Obviously it doesn’t mean that everyone was in lock-step about Kara, but I think Ebert captured a lot of what was so damn off, and off-putting, about Kara. All I know is that when I read the post it made me wonder if maybe Kara’s days were numbered.

Why doesn’t this show/label support the winners? This is where the show goes wrong. You don’t have to win the show to make it, so what is the point of voting for a winner? This is the reason people are abandoning the show. They are finding the show has little to do with finding the best talent and more about manipulating the public. The voting system completely sucks when people can power vote for their favorites, turning it into a popularity contest.

THIS!

Anyway, I think the PTB tarnished the Idol crown somewhat by practicing “you don’t have to win to be a winner” with some of their chosen runners-up. Simon Fuller seems more interested in Alex Lambert who didn’t even make it to the top 12 than in Lee DeWyze – the winner. If the PBT aren’t enthusiastic about the winner when the winner is treated as an afterthought, why would they expect the general public to be?

And THIS too!

They undermine their own product at every opportunity, insult the intelligence of the average viewer with blatant manipulations to make “good television,” allow limitless text voting by a small segment of the population because they want to keep AT&T as a sponsor, and then they wonder why nobody takes the show seriously anymore or bothers to pick up the phone and vote?

Seriously, it’s not bloody brain surgery.

Wow, loving all of these comments. Finally something interesting in the idolverse!!!!!

First like I said in the wee hours, I am not hating on Jlo. I think she’s gonna surprise those who are poo pooing her. This woman is a hard working, inteligent, attractive star. I think she’d bring some interest to a panel that frankly without Simon needs a little star power. She’s got it, and if they are indeed looking for a more well rounded idol, can’t say she isn’t. (She will have a better idea of what to look for) Bravo idol.

I love Steven Tyler. I love my rockers bad. The more weather beaten the better. Give me Rod, Mick, and Steven and I am a happy camper. They rocked hard, played hard. My kinds rocker. My kinda idol judge, I don’t know. Sorta gob-smacked, but it could work.

Randy…..I have always said he had an ear for singers that others didn’t possess. Randy loves ‘singers’ folks who can do the vocal gymnastics and stuff are his favorites, and youngsters, ‘only 16!’. I am glad he’s staying, not just for continuity, but because I trust him more than I trusted Kara or Ellen.

Kara problem is that she’s just not likeable on TV. She also seems to show disdain for contestants that she doesn’t get, and that bitchy side also doesn’t play well to idols demographic. I liked her better this past season, but not enough to be crying in my beer for her.

You don’t have to win the show to make it, so what is the point of voting for a winner?

It’s my theory that this is why the show has lost it’s luster. The American people aren’t very excited about the show because everyone is on to the simple fact that it really doesn’t matter that much if you win or not so the suspense factor, the edge if you will, is gone. That was half the fun.

Can’t really blame the show though because the American people don’t follow through by supporting the guy or gal who wins with CD purchases and concert attendance. We saw it last season and we are so far seeing it this season.

All new things become old. I know I’ve lost interest in the show but I’ll probably still watch.

They should have a no-judge night and see what happens. Let Ryan present them as he always does, and at the end of the song, jump to commercials, or to the next one.

I lubs the fact that a real “rock star” who is (heaven forbid) older than me (if only by a day) is considered by “some peeps” to still be relevant in this youth obsessed world of ours.

But he’s probably only considered relevant by people his age or older. I don’t see any way kids could relate to someone so old and out of touch. I think the dirty secret to the reason AI records don’t sell anymore is that the audience for the show is primarily middle-aged women, and middle-aged women just don’t buy 10 albums a month, and share all their music with their friends, and talk about their favorite artists every day — well, not the sane ones anyway

To break an artist commercially, he/she needs young fans and lots of them. AI doesn’t introduce people to that audience anymore, and as a result, the artists struggle to scrape up even a platinum album. It’s been that way for a while and Steven Tyler isn’t going to help.

Your milage may vary I think Paula and Randy were right about Taylor’s talent.

I think Taylor Hicks is a classic example of what could be missing from this panel, as announced.

Paula was coming from the artist’s perspective. She’s looking for.. is this person a good performer. do they have some magic? From her perspective, she was right about Taylor.

Randy is coming from a producer/musicians’ perspective IMO. He’s thinking… does this person have chops? Would I get excited about working with that voice in the studio, do they sound different from other people in a way that could lead to some interesting/good music? So you could see why he would like Taylor.

Simon is the opposite kind of A&R guy from Randy. Randy is a musician who happened to have a little business sense. Simon was a businessman who happened to like music a little. Randy is in the biz for the creativity, Simon is there for the cash. All he hears is… can this person make major label-type money? And when it came to Taylor, he was right.

On this new panel, who is Simon? To be a good potential recording artist, wouldn’t all 3 types need to buy in? Who plays the “can you make big cash” type role? No one, I think. So I’m skeptical.

I think the thing about Simon is that when he does get it right, he usually both hits the nail right on the head

True. But, the opposite is true, too. When he gets it wrong, he gets it REALLY wrong. He was the voice of extremes, which probably made him seem the most powerful, because he always spoke in acerbic extremes.

The examples that immediately come to mind for me: Slamming Cook’s The World I Know and warning Adam never to go to Nashville and sing his take on Ring of Fire.

Oh well, he will be missed, either as you miss a dear old friend or a severe longterm headache once either is gone. Heh.

revcat
Can’t really blame the show though because the American people don’t follow through by supporting the guy or gal who wins with CD purchases and concert attendance.

Can we blame a show called “American Idol” for not finding an American Idol? Of course. You can’t blame the American people if the best AI has to offer can’t put out a $10-worth CD.

Michael, Jim, and Meatloaf.

tinawina: On this new panel, who is Simon? To be a good potential recording artist, wouldn’t all 3 types need to buy in? Who plays the “can you make big cash” type role? No one, I think. So I’m skeptical.

ICAM. I was saying how I thought Kara could fill this role if she’d stuck around. I don’t think performers are the necessarily the best judges of who would be the most successful recording artists and that factor will be missing from the panel of 3.

BUT at the same time the business minds have screwed up the record business and a BIG criticism I had of Kara (and Simon) is that they were SO middle of the road and boring because they were so looking for the most commercial people. AI’s relevance used to be that they good give music something people weren’t necessarily getting from radio and the regular talent scouting process: people who can SANG. It’s true the most successful AIs have been very commercial too. But maybe instead of the business mentality of settling for somebody because they’re commercial, this judges panel will lean more toward finding somebody who’d stand out and maybe even be a little bit of a risk from a business perspective.

BUT at the same time the business minds have screwed up the record business and a BIG criticism I had of Kara (and Simon) is that they were SO middle of the road and boring because they were so looking for the most commercial people. AI’s relevance used to be that they good give music something people weren’t necessarily getting from radio and the regular talent scouting process: people who can SANG. It’s true the most successful AIs have been very commercial too. But maybe instead of the business mentality of settling for somebody because they’re commercial, this judges panel will lean more toward finding somebody who’d stand out and maybe even be a little bit of a risk from a business perspective.

Well yeah, but we can not expect that American Idol will change record business. The idea of the show is that anyone with talent can become a big star – but the reality is, that’s a lie. If you are not commercial enough, you won’t make it after Idol, even if you win. Simon was the one that during the show supported artists that seemed the most commercial to him. He didn’t like many of them when he first saw them during auditions, but he came on board later and supported them. There were other contestants, also as talented or more talented than Simon’s favorites – but in Simon’s eyes, the others weren’t as marketable.

I also think that Simon also tested contestants: Who has the drive and smarts to make it in the industry?

The examples that immediately come to mind for me: Slamming Cook’s The World I Know

Well yeah – he had a multitude of Cook fans ready to do literal violence on the Season 7 finale: I would have been myself, if I hadn’t given in to weakness and read the result on the net. before watching in the UK :lol!

But I still think that’s part of the entertainment value of Simon.as.judge. You care what he says, whether he’s making you laugh in recognition/solidarity or making your blood boil in righteous indignation in defense of your favourite – or even if you’re just shrugging your shoulders and thinking: you got it wrong there. The point is you’re listening, paying attention and being entertained.

But I do think he’s lost the touch recently.

BUT at the same time the business minds have screwed up the record business and a BIG criticism I had of Kara (and Simon) is that they were SO middle of the road and boring because they were so looking for the most commercial people.

Hmmm. That is a good point. Kara did tend to steer people toward the “commercial” re: safe and boring option. Simon is the king of pedestrian tastes too IMO. But will 19M know what to do with someone who is risky in any way? Their track record with that is not great. I really don’t know the answer here. Ugh.

windmills:

But maybe instead of the business mentality of settling for somebody because they’re commercial, this judges panel will lean more toward finding somebody who’d stand out and maybe even be a little bit of a risk from a business perspective.

The problem is that both the show and the record company collaborate to chase the middle of the road: their only concern with Idol contestants is seeking the easiest route to the big buck. That’s what the show is for.

I think they have had ample chance in seasons 7 & 8 (and probably before, I just wasn’t paying enough attention) to be braver and take a risk. Cook, Lambert and Allen all spring to mind straight away. They all have strong grasps of who they are as artists and all lean a little to the left of centre. TPTB could have grown a set of balls and really let go with any of them to see what they came up with as artists in their own right and taken a true risk with the profits.

But the bottom line is that Idol alums are there to make money and the best guarentee of making money (in the minds of TPTB) is to stick to the middle ground and appeal to the tastes of ‘middle America’ whatever those might be.

Maybe now that this route no longer guarentees huge return on the investment, they might try something new and allow their grads to explore who they are as artists and take real risks – and, crossed fingers, allow those who left the show in earlier seasons to explore a bit more freely too.

But, I’m not holding my breath. I just don’t think they have that kind of imagination or those kind of risk-taking balls, sad to say.

*loving all this Idol chatter! eee!!!! *

But he’s probably only considered relevant by people his age or older. I don’t see any way kids could relate to someone so old and out of touch.

Okay I have to ask. How do you know ST is “out of touch” and how is he any less relatable to kids than 50 year old, ilDivo-loving Simon Cowell? I know my daughter’s 16 year old boyfriend like to play rock guitar and plays Aerosmith music (badly, but still – heh). Who bought all those Susan Boyle CDs? Kids? What kids actually buy 10 CDs a month? Downloads, maybe, but CDs?

Holy Crap-Yessssssssss-FINALLY!!!!!! I HATE Kara,Im soooo glad she’s GONE!!

At least Randy’s still there.Woah.I REALLY,really,really,miss Randy,Simon,and Paula–they were perfect!!!!! Positive,negative,and in the middle!!!! PERFECT combination!!!!!

Ugh,idk jlo could be OK….so could Steven Tyler….I guess :/

So,I’m meh on the new panel

I hate everyone moving on

I really wish we still had Paula,Simon,and Randy –I kinda have a feeling that when ppl think AI they will still think “paula,Randy,Simon”–even though randy’s the only one left

And,I except ratings to get A LOT worse…

“*loving all this Idol chatter! eee!!!! *”

me too–first time in a LONG time,there’s something interesting about idol to talk about!

That reminds me when Nigel or whoever said “no 4-judge panel,you don’t need to hear ‘you suck’ 4 times” exctly described why Paula-simon-Randy was so perfect.You get one you suck,one you’re pretty,and one ” that was ok…kinda pitchy,dawg”

Tinawina :

ITA!! Thank you for saying it so much better than I ever could have!

BTW,there’s also the matter of chemistry.And,I’m pretty sure there will be like NO chemistry at all with this panel…

This is all final right???

Ok,well I guess the BEST news,looking on the positive side,is that the icebitch (aka Kara) is OUT

Lol and I don’t think this panel will help get a younger demographic lol–I mean,they’re not going for the under-12 bunch,but I just told my 8-yr old brother who the new judges are an he said,” Cool.But who are Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler”? LOL

But maybe it’s just me,but I don’t know many 20-year olds (that’s the target-right; 18-35 or something) that will watch just to see Steven Tyler…jmo

So,I guess my opinion is this COULD work,it couldve been worse,but IDK,I don’t think it will

boo…

i could have definitely seen kara and j.lo clash with each other. that would’ve made some good TV. if kara really leaves, i HOPE to see her behind the scenes, whether it’d be through mentoring the idols or even helping them out during a possible “Songwriting” week.

she may have come across as unlikeable to many, but i didn’t see that at all. she gave the most constructive criticism of all the judges.

Like it or not there was lots of chemistry between Paula and Simon. You were never really sure if they loved each other or hated each other. I’m sure many people tuned in only to see Paula and Simon go at it.

The new panel, if it’s true, of Randy, JLo and Steven Tyler have big shoes to fill and the magic of Randy, Paula and Simon cannot be duplicated.

I would be thrilled if the headline were true. to get rid of Kara, I would be happy to have JLo & Steve Tyler, and could put up with Randy. We’d have Ryan for continuity. and I think Nigel will help with production problems. could all be good. I’m unusually optimistic.

Who is Steven Tyler? Idol needs to go. Their time is over.

I’m sure I am not “typical” but when I was in my late teens and twenties I could of “cared less” what was on TV…I was way to busy living my life. I listened to radio in the car and went to concerts all the time but as a college student and a young married I didn’t waste my precious monetary resources on albums and music. And I don’t think a lot of things have changed over the past 50 years. So I don’t think AI is to concerned with changing it’s image to be relevant to the twenty year old in viewing land…they would have to resort to a lot more sex and violence and empty headedness to pull in that demographic.

Just had to log in to say that even though I’m in the minority, I will miss Kara. Last season, IMO, she was the only one who gave knowledgeable critiques to the contestants. Ellen just made jokes, Simon was far too bored and already thinking about X-Factor and Randy… well Randy was just Randy.
I don’t like the idea of J-Lo and/or Steven Tyler as judges either. I’d much rather see Kara stay and Harry Connick come on board.
This may be the first time I consciously decide not to watch Idol.

Well, maybe I’m wrong, but the way I understand it, Idol wants higher ratings, because ratings = money. And they want to target a certain demographic, so yeah, they need to do things to attract that demographic.

**blows kisses to luv**

I think Idol targets the 18-49 demo, which is who advertisers want most… right? (Anyone? Bueller?). I also think married women are considered the holders of the pocketbooks in most homes, so from a TV audience perspective, I think Idol is sitting pretty since they are number 1 in that 18-49 demo and are especially popular with 30+ women.

JLo should have name recognition with a good chuck of the people advertisers want most. Steve Perry less so, but he might get a good many more husbands to sit and watch again.

I think lowering the age to 15 is supposed to lure in teens/tweens. No idea if it will work.

I don’t know if this set up will do anything to help them find an actual pop star. But for Idol the TV show, I guess it makes sense.

I hate to be an old stick in the mud, but they are never going to recapture the chemistry of Simon, Paula, and Randy together.

Linda Holmes reminds us that “fear and panic” will be the deciding factors in whomever they choose as judges and, no doubt, on the end product, as well.

So what’s going to happen? One possibility is that the entire judging panel will be rebooted and DioGuardi and Jackson relieved of their positions. While that’s probably what should happen for the good of the show, it reads a little too much like the sort of daring approach favored by people who are not in the process of making a decision on a high-profile project in a risk-averse business.

[Sidebar: At a panel discussion yesterday for Showtime's new Matt LeBlanc comedy Episodes, which looks very funny, showrunner David Crane, who spent years on Friends, seemed to wash his hands of network television. He said, among other things, that it's run on a steady diet of "fear and panic." That's quite true, and it's a very wise thing to keep in mind at a moment like this. Don't look for the smartest move; look for the move "least likely to be blamed on me as a cockamamie idea gone horribly awry, meaning I must be replaced for the sake of credibility."]

The ‘Idol’ Judge Rumor Train Chugs Along, But Don’t Make Bets Quite Yet

Hasn’t Steven Tyler been in and out of rehab a few times within the last year? And wasn’t he having a bunch of drama with his bandmates? I find him as a choice a bit odd. Although if you look at him as a musician…he’s pretty awesome. I don’t know how I feel about him. I would have preferred Harry Connick Jr. over anyone.

jtgraffix:
07/30/2010 at 2:34 pm
if kara really leaves, i HOPE to see her behind the scenes,…

When I read the first part of your sentence, I was thinking you’ve already seen her behind:

http://mjsbigblog.com/kara-dioguardi-gets-naked-for-allure-magazine.htm

Well, maybe I’m wrong, but the way I understand it, Idol wants higher ratings, because ratings = money. And they want to target a certain demographic, so yeah, they need to do things to attract that demographic.

I’m gathering you think that Idol wants to target young people. Thing is, the young people don’t have the scratch; their parents do. The key to the whole thing is actually the OLDER viewers, because whatever they enjoy and approve of, is what they will dole out the cash for. Hence, Steven Tyler. He is known and liked by most older fans. Heck, I’m 30 and I know who he is, am familiar with his body of work. The whole “lowering the age limit” ploy is probably just to get the older viewers to get behind contestants that remind them of their OWN kids. Idol would be foolish to ignore the very demographic that keeps commerce afloat.

As to Kara… look, she has flaws as a judge. Gaping, massive flaws. That said, she grew over the course of two seasons (compare to Randy’s nine), and was the only judge giving coherent critiques last season. And you’re tossing on two people who haven’t really shown that ability. (J.Lo was maybe one of my favorite mentors ever, but that’s a very different thing than actually being on a live judging panel). So she’s the one to get the boot?

This is a great point. What do they do if neither J.Lo or Steven Tyler can give relevant critiques? Then we are left with Randy to fill this role. I don’t think I would want to count on him. As for Kara, I definitely think she had grown as a judge since season 8. Her personality and ability to connect with viewers still needs major work, but the comments that she made were thoughtful and constructive. She seemed to actually try to give the contestants advice.

You know, I think she was intimidated by Simon. I wonder if she would have done better this year with Simon gone?

Hmm… this would have been interesting to see. The hanging all over Simon and the attempts to banter with him were very annoying.

i think jlo is better than kara, after all, she’s far popular-hollywood type.. steven tyler, i know him but… that’s it? i was expecting a lot more..

anyway, is randy gonna stay?

the thing is.. it is freaking season 10, decade anniversary of the idol nation.. and we’ll see strangers in our tv.. if only we could have randy-paula-simon-ryan back for s10…

I think Piers Morgan would have made a good judge. He’s snarky just like Simon Cowell. Elton John would have been a good choice too.

A record executive would have been a good choice and would not have to be someeone well known either. Nobody knew who Simon Cowell was before Idol.

At this point, I am wondering why there are any judges in the first place. Why not simply have a guest judge each week to provide feedback to the contestants. Past winners and top 3 or so. IMO, there is no need for these alleged experts in the first place. Not if the viewers are supposed to be deciding who they like.

I’ve seen more ‘idol hopefuls’ with real potential sabotaged by the judges in the past. It only takes a few particularly negative words to set the seed in people’s minds that they shouldn’t back some contestants.

When will they learn?

“OvenMitt”

No,in my earlier post,I said 18-35ish.Because,from what I’ve read that’s their target demographic.But tinawina said 18-49, so I’ll go with that,but,I never said they wanted to target kids…

JLo should have name recognition with a good chuck of the people advertisers want most. Steve Perry less so, but he might get a good many more husbands to sit and watch again.

Wishful thinking?

I really think that AI started its trip down the pan when they introduced Kara and slid Paula out.

BUT Paula chose to be out because of the money thing, right? My husband mentioned last night that if she would have stuck it out one more yr., she could very well be Top Dog RN. Maybe.

When I read about J-Lo coming close to a deal, my first thought was that she’d fill the huge void left by dear Pauler. I think she’d be the sympathetic one, yet she’s pretty sassy so I wouldn’t expect her to hold back the truth when needed.

Steven Tyler, from what I’ve seen, is no longer the strung-out addict of days gone by. He’s been there, done that, and has reached a certain maturity level. He would be a fabulous addition, is forthright, and may be the brutally “blunt” one to fill the void left by Simon.

As far as Kara’s departure—-BUH-BYE! Don’t let the doorknob hitcha on the way out.

I really think that AI started its trip down the pan when they introduced Kara and slid Paula out.

ITA…ugh, icebitch is the reason Idol is dead…

When I read about J-Lo coming close to a deal, my first thought was this is someone, finally, who would be able to fill the void left by dear Pauler. I think she’d be the sympathetic one, yet she’s pretty sassy so I wouldn’t expect her to hold back the truth when needed.

Steven Tyler, from what I’ve seen, is no longer the strung-out addict of days gone by. He’s been there, done that, and has reached a certain maturity level. He would be a fabulous addition, is forthright, and may be the brutally “blunt” one to fill the void left by Simon.

I love Randy and am glad that he is staying. And not just for the sake of continuity. Though not always eloquent, he has recogized and argued for many a talented Idol wannabe, is an experienced musician, and I give him props.

As far as Kara’s departure—-BUH-BYE! Don’t let the doorknob hitcha on the way out.

Wishful thinking?

LMAO! Oops.

Like it or not there was lots of chemistry between Paula and Simon. You were never really sure if they loved each other or hated each other. I’m sure many people tuned in only to see Paula and Simon go at it.

The new panel, if it’s true, of Randy, JLo and Steven Tyler have big shoes to fill and the magic of Randy, Paula and Simon cannot be duplicated.

ITA with this. Happened to hear some of Season Four Rewind on the TV in the den while I was in the kitchen, and there was so much ENERGY that season. The audience was yelling out opinions as to whether Kat McPhee or Lisa Tucker should go home, for goodness’ sake, as if it was deciding who should be President. Let alone the tumult that ensued when Chris Daughtry was eliminated. I truly believe that all the judge shake-ups have taken away from the show, just like replacing characters on a sit-com doesn’t usually work.

Steven Tyler, from what I’ve seen, is no longer the strung-out addict of days gone by. He’s been there, done that, and has reached a certain maturity level.

Hasn’t he just been in rehab (for addiction to pain meds) in the past 12 months? And didn’t he have quite a bit of drama in 2009 in the “is he or isn’t he out of the Aerosmith” type drama? Maturity is not the first word that would come to mind in describing Tyler’s recent behavior/life, unless all that’s meant by that term is that he’s old.

I know people had issues with Kara, but she at least brought something current to the panel. She seems to understan today’s music scene and is, at least, actively writing with very current people. Steven Tyler probably won’t recognize most of the guest performers.

Hasn’t he just been in rehab (for addiction to pain meds) in the past 12 months? And didn’t he have quite a bit of drama in 2009 in the “is he or isn’t he out of the Aerosmith” type drama?

Yes, he was in rehab in the past 12 mos for pain killers and he did try to quit Aerosmith, but he’s back with them again. I think he rejoined them as soon as Joe Perry officially announced they were searching for a new lead singer.
Maybe he has his act together now. Or….Maybe he’s the new Paula and J Lo is taking Simon’s place, you never know.

Kara’s personality was sometimes annoying, but I think she had pretty valuable opinions and is alot more current than the rumored judges of today are.

A good song is a good song and it doesn’t matter what genre it is, so I completely disagree. They could have given Taylor good songs to record for his post-Idol cd, instead they him crappy ballads, lukewarm soul and Ray Charles rip-off songs to record. Sony should have realized those songs would never work and radio would never play that.

They should have worked with the winner of the show to at least give his sound a more modern appeal, instead of giving all their attention to the 4th place finisher. Big fail

i’m still ticked about what they did to taylor,i will always blame the record company for not supporting him when they should have been busting their butts,daughtry got what should have been taylors

the magic of Randy, Paula and Simon cannot be duplicated

ITA – all you have to do is watch the AI Rewind shows to see it. They should’ve just left it alone and not ever added a 4th judge. Had they done that, all might still be in place. They cuold be goofy and annoying but there was great chemistry, IMO.

I loath Steven Tyler. He’s a conceited egomaniac. Total turn-off for the show. I feel bad for Kara. Didn’t always like her but she was getting better. Ellen did the right thing. Randy needs to pull his socks up.

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=B8I3USY1