Randy Jackson Will Become An Idol Mentor, Kanye and Diddy Out (REPORT) (UPDATED)

By On 08/31/2012 · 146 Comments · In American Idol

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The latest from TMZ. Randy Jackson to move to a mentoring role. Diddy and Kanye are out. Idol honchos loving the fact that Mariah Carey is unhappy about Nicki Minaj joining the panel–they look forward to the tension.  And, there will definitely be a 4th judge.

UPDATE: From EOnline, “”Negotiations are still in progress and nothing has been decided yet. If he chooses to stay Randy is mulling over what he would like his role to be on the show. This will all be resolved hopefully very soon,” a source tells E! News.”

UPDATE: From THR:  Elsewhere on the judging front, THR hears Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban have yet to sign their Idol deals but are both expected to early next week. As previously reported here, the show is also pursuing Enrique Iglesias for a fourth spot.

UPDATE: From TMZ: Keith Urbanis in deep negotiations with “American Idol” but the deal has NOT been signed”Idol” sources tell us, the country singer is in the final negotiation stages with producers to take the third judging spot on the show — alongside Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, who replaced Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

ETA: Not crazy about the addition of a 4th judge. But, if you think about it, it was inevitable. Idol seems to be taking their cues from X Factor and Voice, which both have 4 member panels. Plus, I suspect Idol will go to a permanent 2 hour performance show. There will be plenty of time to kill. Ugh.

As far as Randy stepping down from the panel. I’m totally OK with that. He had ceased to bring anything fresh to the table years ago. If the panel is going to be shaken up, might as well go all the way.  As far as the 4th spot. I would love a record executive type in that spot, but I have a feeling it will be another artist.  A white gay–maybe a young teen Idol type. Or Enrique to add some Latin flavor.

TMZ has learned Randy Jackson is officially LEAVING the judge’s table … but will still remain a part of the show as a “mentor.”

Sources connected to “Idol” tell us … there’s some concern among the brass that Jackon is not well-suited for the mentor role … but they feel they need him because he’s the glue that helps keep the show together.

As for his replacement … sources tell us Nicki Minaj‘s deal is 99% done … but still not a sure thing just yet.

We’re told the honchos are keenly aware Mariah Carey isn’t a fan of Minaj and doesn’t want her at the table … a fact producers LOVE because they think the conflict and tension will be good for the show.

And … we now know A.I. will once again go with a 4th judge …  we’re told producers are gunning for someone from the country music world for the third seat.  Seat number 4 is up in the air.

Finally, altough “A.I.” wanted Diddy or Kanye West … we’re told they are definitely out of the picture.

Also, the National Enquirer claims Idol offered Justin Bieber 25 million dollars to be judge, but that he turned it down. And that this happened even before FOX announced that Steven Tyler would be leaving Take with a grain of salt. National Enquirer.

 
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  • mileyfan123

    Yeah, you said she didn’t expand the audience though, and her first season brought in new viewers, so she may very well have. I didn’t say she expanded it and then they all stuck around for season 11…

  • bridgette12

    The reason people watched season 10 might have been about about Steven Tyler, but we will never know now. 

  • blackberryharvest

     Yeah, I wouldn’t even put him in my top 10 most attractive idols lol.

  • durbesque

    I agree, but I must concede that he would be interesting on the panel….

    He’s like an accident.  I can’t not look.

  • SullyD

     LOL, “accident” is the funniest compliment I’ve ever heard of.

    (I agree with you, by the way)

  • elliegrll

    Isn’t Jennifer a Latino, she certainly didn’t expand the American Idol audience and why would Enrique.  

    To a lot of people’s surprise, the ratings were stable at the start of season 10, more than likely that was due to Jennifer and Steven Tyler.  Season 10 also saw a ratings increase in comparison to season 9.  The contestants can take credit for the increase.   The problem with Steve and Jennifer is that it wasn’t enough just to have them on the show, they didn’t bring anything personality wise, and neither made a lot of effort to actually judge.The judges will still have to have a personality, buy Enrique’s presence will result in more new people giving the show a chance.

  • ptslittlecomment

    I find Adam very attractive. Same for David Cook and Casey James. Jason Castro, Michael Johns, Kris Allen, even Casey Abrams, cute. Daughtry and Gokey very unattractive. But everyone’s mileage differs of course. (Sexy eyes and charming smile go a long….. way for me LOL!)

  • bridgette12

    Yeah the judges need personality, especially the male judges, because the women are bigger stars with more vibrant personas. Enrique is going to be a doormat compared to Mariah and Nicki.  

  • http://www.facebook.com/shelby.walker.5011 Shelby Walker

    ” Four judges didn’t work before, so why are they doing it again??? ”
    Four judges justifies and fills the time so they can have more 2 hour episodes. Its all about the ad revenue and longer episodes makes more money.

  • koshka

    Thats exactly my thought about Enrique. That dude is pretty low key. 

    I went to look at past interviews with Keith. He is really low key as well, but with an element of maturity ringing through. Seems like an honest guy, comfortable in his own skin. Country fans, is this an accurate description? I only watched snippets of 5 or so interviews. Did the same with Enrique and just didn’t get that same feeling. Low key, the same as Keith, but I don’t think he could hold his own to a couple of divas. There is a dire need for a referee. 

  • laahdeedaah

    I am weeping tears of joy buh bye Randy!   There was a comment on the first page about Randy being a field trip mentor – I think he’d be great at that. His experience in the music biz is undeniable, he just isn’t compelling as a judge, especially without Simon to play off of. With the exception of Simon’s last year, he made a great foil for the other judges. Without him judging takes more skill than Randy (or JLo, or Steven) has.

  • kd29

     I am beginning to think that the 4th judge might be Jimmy and that he and Randy are switching roles. It would make some sense regardless of what Jimmy said in the past about not wanting it. Enrique would be a good choice too.

  • KendraWills

    Latest from EW, mentions Enrique and Adam still in the mix with an outside chance.

    http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/08/31/randy-jackson-idol/

  • p2fan

    I find Adam very fascinating… I like the way he changes …  the way he acts under different circumstances.  I love faces … one may be ugly but looks attractive to me.  No, I will never be bored with Adam and I am a mother of 4 very macho sons.  If they want more Latino viewers, then have one good Latino  contestant.  When I saw Phillip performed, I began to follow faithfully all his performances in AI.  A guest judge might be a good choice … like Queen when it is Queens day  or Carrie when it is her day.  That way AI can do preliminary survey for the next permanent judge for the next season or two.

  • elliegrll

    Enrique has done something right, since he had enough personality to sell over 50 million albums.  Who knows if he will make a good judge, but I’d love to watch it play out.

  • bridgette12

    And Steven Tyler and Aerosmith has sold over 150 million and we see how that ended. 

  • Blou38

    I’ll be so glad when this drama ends.  I would hate to see any previous contestant as judge.  Every fan base thinks their favorite is THE sexiest, THE most articulate, THE best musician, THE favorite contestant ever.  Honestly, we’d never hear the end between fan bases on how good or bad their judging was.  A judge needs to have a super high level of success to be accepted without being judged themselves. 

  • Nadine_Bitch

    Eh, to each their own. I would put Adam my number 1 most attractive Idol ever. And sexiest… and most talented… most interesting:)

  • TackyZacky

    Whew! Thank heavens Kanye is out,  ‘cuz that means I’ll be spared from extreme aggravation when the camera pans out on Kim Kardashian rooting for him from the audience.

  • http://twitter.com/KariannHart Kariann Hart

    There have been several sexy/attractive male contestants mentioned, and I do agree.  I thought Ace Young and his body belong right up there.  What makes Ace even more attractive is his participation in MDA since his Idol season.  I love a man with a good heart!

  • iluvai

    I like Randy Jackson, a lot.  He is a good dad and husband. He has a lot of music credibility and he is very chill.  :)  

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