Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell, Ellen Degeneres, Kara Dioguardi and Randy Jackson on Larry King Live – VIDEO

And Elliott, on LK’s blog:

http://larrykinglive.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/19/idols-elliott-yamin-on-idol-gives-back/#more-19544

Uh-oh, Elliott. Let the crap storm fly, lol!

LKL Blog: Also remaining to be seen is who is going to win the current season. Who are your favorites? Who do you like?

Elliott: I really like Casey James, he’s come on strong the past three or four weeks. I like Michael Lynch a lot. I did like Aaron Kelly. I just think at this point, he’s kind of going backwards instead of forward. But I think he’s the one guy that epitomizes what Idol is about: take a young, really green, inexperienced kid – with a really good voice – and help shape his style and sound. I just feel like he’s going backwards, he’s not improving over the past few weeks.

LKL Blog: So you think it’s the guys’ year this year?

Elliott: I think so. Everyone is high up on Crystal Bowersox – and I like her too. Honestly, I just don’t think anyone is unique in their own right or really has the wow factor. I think everybody sounds ordinary, at best. And that’s not to take away from their talent. I think that all the contestants are talented in their own right. There’s just nobody with that wow factor or anybody with the really crazy story or personality. I don’t know, it’s been kind of tough.

OOOOOHHHH, Snap! And people thought Adam should “keep his big mouth shut”? Elliot was downright brutal, lol ( but right).

Larry King needs to retire and stop screwing his wife’s sister.

I agree with this totally. Some talent this year, no umph! They don’t engage the passion or imagination of the audience.

We just got some straight talk from Elliot!!! lol

Well, I see his point about Aaron, but hes more story than actual star material. His bottom line I agree with though, that there isn’t any huge wow person or persons emerging from the show this year, even though there is some talent there. The judges seem to be aware of this as well, since they didn’t take the opportunity on Larry King to highlight anyone. It does make me wonder what will become of Idol if there are no huge success stories this year, the year Simon is leaving. What will become of the tour? What becomes of the Idol brand when this year fizzles out in terms of album sales, tour sales, etc. which is what the show is all about launching?

Uh-oh, Elliott. Let the crap storm fly, lol!

I don’t think Elliott should be talking about star power, when he so famously lacked it and went on to succeed pretty well.

I do think it’s possible for Idol to be around for 10 more years, altough it will probably not be dominating television anymore.
The concept is strong and there is a lot of people who are used to watch it and come back every time.

The good comparison IMO is Survivor, it has a lot of similarities: began in the early 2000′s with the wave of reality shows, became one of the most watched show in television history and it’s still around after 20 season albeit with one third of the original ratings.

Elliott has always been very honest with his opinions, last year I remember that he was supporting Danny Gokey and that he had met Adam in a LA dance club.

Larry King needs to retire and stop screwing his wife’s sister.

1. Why should Larry retire? He doesn’t need to go anywhere if he doesn’t want to. I think it’s great that people like Larry are still out there as we have plenty of young people on television and need a little bit of a balance, gives us older people a role model LOL
2. I don’t know what Larry does in his personal life and don’t really want to know, TMI. As long as he doesn’t show up on Dancing With the Stars I’m happy.
3. What really needs to go away is American Idol. This season is as boring as watching paint dry. But that’s just me. Who knows the future; Simon may be right, it may be on forever just like Larry.

Now that’s a scary thought! :)

Uh-oh, Elliott. Let the crap storm fly, lol!

I don’t think Elliott should be talking about star power, when he so famously lacked it and went on to succeed pretty well.

Yeah, I kind of see your point.

At the same time, I think what he says about Aaron addresses this. He does believe that unrealized potential is what the show’s all about, but if you’re going to come into it with unrealized potential, you’d better realize more and more of it as the weeks go on. I think that’s why Casey’s the first one he names as a favorite of his right now — because Casey has shown some progress — and why he says that Aaron’s a disappointment because in his eyes (mine, too), Aaron’s kind of moving in the other direction.

Elliott knows quite well that he started out faltering big time on that stage, but he also knows (well, believes, anyway, but since I happen to agree with him, it seems like “knows” to me!) that he kept getting better every week, putting the nerves behind him, letting them groom his look into something better for the stage, trying to get into the stagecraft more to create performances that were as good as his vocals, delivering stronger performances week to week, for the most part.

I know not everybody sees Elliott that way, but I suspect that that’s the way Elliott sees it — Really that he’s proof you can come in faltering and unsure but end up creating an “arc” that really does give you some star power by the end.

And, Simon says, with a straight face, that he thinks Idol will run on television for 20 or 30 years….

Hilarious.

And, Simon says, with a straight face, that he thinks Idol will run on television for 20 or 30 years….

Hilarious.

Next he’ll say that Susan Boyle will sell millions and millions of albums …
Oh, wait …

On this one, though — Haven’t quite a few other Idol shows around the world already come to the end of their runs? Wonder why AI should be different.

Why should Larry retire? He doesn’t need to go anywhere if he doesn’t want to. Ever been to the Carnegie Deli in NYC? Most of the wait staff are at or near Larry’s age.

The guy cannot even think straight anymore- he reads off of cue cards and does not research anyone on his show anymore- like he used to. I am not being agist here- he just doesn’t have it any more. And besides that he is damn creepy.

Simon must be smoking something if he thinks ai will continue 20 plus years. And I doubt he really thinks that but what else could he say? The show will go to hell in a handbasket without him? I don’t think idol survives past one more season unless in s10 there is a really buzzworthy exciting megatalent. If they put together an exciting cast theycould get another few years out of it. But if next years cast Ina repeat of this year? S10 will be the end

Ellen got a contract for 5 seasons? That’s a little too ambitious, I think.

Simon seemed quite distant to me, somewhere else with his thoughts. 20-30 more years for Idol? No way in hell.

Paula Abdul? I think we will sooner or later find out that she will be a judge on the X Factor USA.

Studio57:
04/20/2010 at 9:32 am
Why should Larry retire? He doesn’t need to go anywhere if he doesn’t want to. Ever been to the Carnegie Deli in NYC? Most of the wait staff are at or near Larry’s age.
________
The guy cannot even think straight anymore- he reads off of cue cards and does not research anyone on his show anymore- like he used to. I am not being agist here- he just doesn’t have it any more. And besides that he is damn creepy.

I couldn’t agree with this statement more. I first notieced it when he interviewed some comedians after Bernie Mac died – he was plumb awful, and his skeletal physique is pretty darn scary to me…

Simon must be smoking something if he thinks ai will continue 20 plus years. And I doubt he really thinks that but what else could he say?

I think 20 or 30 months would be overly optimistic.

I used to really like Simon, but anymore I am so turned off by him. He totally comes off as thinking he is To Cool For School, and really all he is, is a judge on a reality show. Get over yourself Simon!

Hey–in Part 4, at 5:50 to 6:00–Ellen is muted out when commenting about Simon and Ryan’s relationship. Anyone know what she said?

Simon seemed quite distant to me, somewhere else with his thoughts.

Yeah.

You know, I actually think Simon and Ryan irritate one another and that Simon is looking forward to separating himself from Ryan Seacrest.

Just the obvious comment: Randy Jackson has no personality and nothing to say. (How the heck did he get this job? He may have music production skills but he can’t talk.)

Just the obvious comment: Randy Jackson has no personality and nothing to say. (How the heck did he get this job? He may have music production skills but he can’t talk.)

Because he agreed to lamely spout any line the producers feed him about the show,no matter how ridiculous or how directly contrary to the line they wanted spouted last week? That’s always been my theory for his hiring and longevity.

20 OR 30 YEARS??!! I’m surprised that they are going to finish this season! hahah!! I really don’t see a s10. First Paula leaves then Simon then Ricky Minor. the show is doomed.

20 OR 30 YEARS??!! I’m surprised that they are going to finish this season! hahah!! I really don’t see a s10. First Paula leaves then Simon then Ricky Minor. the show is doomed.

I get the impression that TPTB will be interested in the money that Idol will continue to make even as ratings drop vs going out on top. Lasting another 10 years seems like a stretch, but I would be surprised if it doesn’t at least air the next 4 years through Ellens contract.

Ellen is a horrible judge. she seems to be really afraid of saying anything bad.. she should just do her talkshow and not spoil her image.

Paula Abdul? I think we will sooner or later find out that she will be a judge on the X Factor USA.

the guy gal cannot even think straight anymore- heshe reads off of cue cards and does not research anyone on hisher show anymore- like heshe used to. I am not being agistsexist here- he she just doesn’t have it any more.

Sorry, couldn’t resist. ;)

Larryyyy is scaryyyy and he doesn’t even know, what he is talking about anymore, he can’t spell pitchy? WTF?
He only mentioned Adam, as the guy, who “mentioned” other contestants, forgot, poor baby, all about David Cook and Kris, who were actually involved in Idol gives back, lololol
I hope he doesn’t entice another “gate”…..

Who are the judges kidding? This is one of the dullest seasons ever. It’s not the same show without Paula. Kara and Ellen cannot replace Paula. It will be even worse without Simon.

The contestents are weak this year. Crystal and Casey are the only real standouts. Everyone else either dull or lacking any real talent. Total yawn-fest.

DarkGlamour17-You don’t deserve to be called a fan if you want the show to end. And this season is NOT the worst ever, I’m tired of people saying it, including the webmaster.

I watched this last night, and it just reinforced my impression that the judges really do think the show is all about them, and the contestants merely bit players. In my opinion, the kids are what make or break the show. I’m watching AI Rewind of season 5 right now, and there were a lot of great singers that year. Season 6 had some powerhouse vocalists, but some not so good ones that made it pretty far. I think in Season 7 everyone was pretty good, except for Ramiele and Kristy Lee. Season 8 only had Allison, Adam and Kris, imo, who were really good. There just doesn’t seem to be anyone exciting this year. Crystal is very good, but I wouldn’t call her exciting, iykwim. So, my prediction is, if they can find and pick great cast members each season, Idol could be here through the end of their contract with FOX, 2014, I think? If not, it will probably go poof at the end of next year. I’m sure FOX will find a way out of the contract if ratings dive. And if the kids aren’t great next year, I’ll be okay with that.

The IMPRESSION,-just sayin – that I got was that they rarely talk to each other and are like people meeting once a year for a seminar or something. Probably on own cell phones during breaks as opposited to coffee and chat in the break room.
Enjoyed the videos.
Agree that they think the show is about them as much as the contestants and it isn’t.They will never be the superstar Adam’s becoming or Carrie is.Ellen already was before AI, so that dosen’t count.
Just another opinion to add to the mix.