X Factor L.A. Reid Reportedly Signed for Season 2, Mariah Carey Being Considered

I don’t really like LA Reid, it became too much of a competition with Simon with him.   And I think while he is knowledgeable of R&B, Hip Hop and rap, he isn’t so much with other forms of music, including some current pop.

I think Mariah Carey might be good as a mentor, because I thought she was terrific in Season 7 when she mentored on AI.  Not sure about the judging, though I think she would be good at critiques, I’m not sure how she would be with the voting off. 

To me, by keeping LA Reid, and after having seen the British X Factor, it looks like Simon likes the conflict between the judges and defending your team.  However, that’s one of the parts I don’t really like about the show.

My only problem with LA was the big music gaffes he made. If he would get a little broader music awareness, I’d actually be fine with him. I think he has potential as a judge and his hip hop R&B cred is in valuable to the show. That flavor and Diversity is what differs that show from Idol. You would NEVER have met a talented kid like Astro on Idol.

That does bring me to the point that maximizing that Diversity would be good. Maybe following the voice and getting b the last two judges from the Country and Pop genres.

I like LA Reid. I don’t like the idea of having singers as judges though. They always go on the show to push their product. Like JLo, Adam Levine, XTina and BLake.

I loved the concept of the Voice and thought it had so much potential but the judges sang more than the contestants and they all sounded horrible live.  How many times are we going to hear Moves Like Jagger on The Voice this singer?

Personally I’d rather see people like Simon Cowell, La Reid etc. People who are in the business and not just singers.

I actually don’t think they need a judge from country genre. I don’t think it’s their goal to have every major genre of music represented on X Factor like on The Voice or Idol. X Factor is mostly a search for potential popstars and at least season 1 focused heavily RnB/Hip Hop/Rap. Considering how Idol fails to deliver anyone remotely current in these genres, I think keeping focus on that would be great. I’m sure if someone with a great potential for country genre comes along, they would know what to do with them. Simon Cowell doesn’t like country, but he saw Carrie’s potential.
Also, the 4 judges are just one set of mentors. The other set are mentors, like Savan Kotecha and Claude Kelly, who are way more important. They coach the contestants during the season and then do a lot of work on their debut albums.

They’re only interested in the female and midwestern demos? what about soccer moms, Nascar dads, white collar pervs and the obese?

It will be interesting to see if Mariah’s manager, Randy Jackson, will let her do the show.

 Let her?  Doesn’t he work for her?  If he gives her too much grief, she could fire him.

Randy works for Mariah.  Mariah will decide what she wants to do.

UGH> L.A. was by far my least favorite judge. he would over praise his contestants and slam the other contestants. and the bickering? god almighty. clearly simon HAS NOT learned. disappointing.

This is about the 4th time you’ve posted this. RANDY WORKS FOR MARIAH. She’ll do whatever the hell she wants. lol.

 Reading the main text I realize people on reality shows are starting to complain about nothing. If they’re tired of reality shows they should stop seeing it and find a new hobby.

I think Randy works for her not the other way around.  If she wants to be on X Factor, she will be.  Randy will not have a say

Could not stand LA Reid. I disliked him more than Nicole. All he was interested in was the competition with Simon. Wondering how having Mariah as a judge would “increase the shows Midwest appeal?” Huh?!

I think she should. She hasn’t really had a hit in a while. Beyonce is getting all the glow right now. 

“Mariah Carey is indeed being considered as show producers look towards strengthening their female and Midwest appeal.”

It absolutely makes no sense;

As a female who lives in the Midwest, I have to say that the idea of Mariah on X-Factor does nothing for me.

I do not like LA Reid. I understand why he is staying but think it is a mistake. He could do better than LA.

As a female on the east coast Mariah does nothing foe me either I want my Paula.

Nothing about this news excites me at all. 

UGH. I have never liked Mariah Carey. Everything she sings is just too much. Too many riffs, “too many notes” ( Amadeus anyone?) too much self-promoting in too tight clothes, when she’s wearing any!

Double UGH. LA Reid, he literally said on air, “singing doesn’t matter any more in the music business.” In reference to a bad vocal by Chris Rene. And this is who Simon wants to judge a SINGING competition?

Seriously?

I want Paula back, at least she understands what a singer sounds like, and recognizes talent.

BTW. I’m from the Midwest, too.

Having both LA and Simon on the panel doesn’t make any sense, but I’d rather have LA as a mentor than Simon.  I think that his main problem last year was how the show is constructed.  We couldn’t see his musical experience at work, because the whole purpose of the X Factor is to put the emphasis on the mentors, so we had to watch fake drama between LA and Simon.  LA tried too hard to make it look like it was a Simon v. LA thing, but that’s what Simon wanted him to do, so I can’t put a lot of blame on him.

LA actually was my least favorite judge.  I even put that in the FOX survey they distributed.  I found him to be extremely self-centered, annoying and showed tremendous lack of knowledge of current pop music.  He also always made it about HIM.   I just wish if Simon were cleaning house, he’d do it `100%.  LA wasn’t a reason to watch the show; it was more of a reason to NOT watch.  And those rumors of $100 million for a judge are just ridiculous.  No one is worth that much for a prime time talent show.  Its like add Ryan, JLo, Steven, Randy and then some.  People are crazy.  A big name doesnt necessarily make a great judge/mentor.  They also should show more of the mentoring process.  Im really curious to see how THe Voice will be in its second season and how its ratings will compare with Idol.  I must admit Ive stopped watching Idol’s audition episodes; I just found them boring – I fell asleep twice – and repetitive. Im not excited by Randy, JLo, Steven as they all seem very predictable…Theyre even recycling the contestants – previous rejects make it this year (and they complain the Voice recycles?…Um..Idol has also had its share of contestants with previous record deals)….I might check back into Idol during Hollywood week (although again I feel like Ive seen it all before) or more likely during the live shows in late Feb to see if there are any out of the ordinary, superior talents or format changes.  But there is an over saturation of these shows – and most of the winners and runners up will get one album and be out and done.  For all the XF complaints, they had a roster of a lot of talent that one could see with successful careers…but in todays music world, will that  happen?  Melanie, Josh, Chris, Astro, Drew, Rachel….

Mariah Carey is indeed being considered as show producers look towards strengthening their female and Midwest appeal.

I don’t even understand this statement. I suppose they mean they are trying to strengthen female representation on the panel, not female appeal. However, the way the women panelists are addressed on this show is so demeaning, I don’t know why any of them, with any backbone, would want to do it. Just put L.A. Reid in a dress, and be done with it!

As for Midwest appeal, I’m not sure what they mean by that either. Are they having trouble with viewers in the Midwest? Are they too East and West Coast-centric and not appealing to middle America? Well, that might be a problem for Simon as — even though all genres of music are appreciated by someone in the US, no matter where they live — I think that the type of music of which they’re inferring here is not Simon’s forte and may not suit this show, anyway.

Given what the judges/coaches are asked to do on ths show (develop acts, choose songs, staging, etc) hiring A&R types makes sense. Ditto music producers and maybe artist managers? Though a songwriting/producing/choreographer type performer also makes sense.

Given Nick’s comments earlier this week, it’s hard to see Mariah doing it though.

I agree keeping a strong hip hop/R&B focus makes sense. It sets them apart. But I could see how bringing in someone strong at pop will help them broaden thier audience.

I disagree w MJ. In my opinion it should be 4 record executives. They know what talent is. Pop stars don’t have anymore knowledge than we do. They just happen to be singers as a profession.

These shows are more concerned w signing stars than signing people who know what they are doing. That is at the end of the day why the winners have trouble selling.

Screw auditions. These shows should go find the talent, not wait for it to come to them. How many demos are sent to LA and Sony? Put them on the show.

I dont like LA Reid or Mariah Carey or the show lol.  I enjoyed Paula and think she earned a spot for next season.  Simon only hears what he wants to hear apparently because so far, he’s not fixing whats really broke.

Re Mariah, I heard she is about as loopy as Paula? I hope not…

Didn’t Nick Cannon just get quoted as saying his wife is too important/successful to want to be a judge? 

I think they should stick to label execs — at least that way we won’t have to worry about seeing the judges perform

I think Mariah is as interesting as a tree growing and about as relative to today’s pop scene.  I’ll give her talent but take away on charisma, character, and relatability.  Haven’t seen any quick-wittedness (is this a word), or the ability to entice anyone with her conversations….but then I find her boring so I haven’t listened to her much.

If Simon wants to spend his millions on someone who hasn’t been popular, even as a singer, for several years he is just continuing his trend of not having any understanding of pop culture, at all.  And as far as LA…well, other than he looks like Randy his is totally non-impressive in my book…kinda like Simon, himself.

Simon and LA are set.  Maybe an all executive panel would work.  Two more successful people from behind the scenes.  One could be a country exec to cover that demographic.   

Four record executives would make sense, if the show was really about finding the next superstar recording artist, but it isn’t.  The show is about ratings, and producing an entertaining television show, so they are going to cast people based on their personalities, and with Simon, whether or not people know their name.

Read this am that Simon doesn’t think Mariah is hot enough right now, and he wants Beyonce @1mil for the year.   Maybe Simon is the one who has cooled off!

Don’t forget how poorly he treated Cheryl Cole.  Simon will happily throw anyone under the bus to advance his own agenda.

Beyonce for only $1 million?  lol  What happened to $100 million?

Simon thinks Mariah is not hot enough for… XFactor???

Right. That means she said no. LOL

LA Reid, he literally said on air, “singing doesn’t matter any more in
the music business.” In reference to a bad vocal by Chris Rene.

I know, that sucked.  Unfortunately, however, LA is right insofar as commercial success.

B is not going to work for $1M. If that’s his budget, he needs to go back to the drawing board. I would guess $20m minimum for that much of a time commitment.

I have to disagree with MJ and others re: L.A. Reid.  Simon would have been crazy to let him go and I’m glad he’s returning for season two.  I could care less whether or not he knows a Demi Lovato tune-his track record as a label exec speaks for itself.  It remains to be seen how his “boys” (Chris, Astro and Marcus) will fare in the marketplace but I wouldn’t bet against him.

Double UGH. LA Reid, he literally said on air, “singing doesn’t matter any more in the music business.”

Judging from the current state of pop music, was he really wrong to make that statement?  Sadly, I don’t think so.  X Factor never has been (and probably never will be) just a “singing competition”.  I can’t be mad at L.A. for telling the truth, but that’s just me. 

ETA: I wonder what Simon’s “Plan B” will be if he can’t get Mariah or Beyonce? He better have a backup plan IMO.

Well I’m female and smack dab in the center of the country….so I guess I’m as midwest as they get.  If Carey comes on this show, I refuse to watch.
PERIOD.

Can’t stand her.  C.A.N.’ T.

I hope Simon (for once) really understands what the midwest / female population likes and doesn’t like.

Very sad here in Kansas………………  I had high hopes things would turn around for this show second season, but it looks like things are taking a nose dive if they are considering her.

I’d rather see Simon get behind the scenes than up there on the judging panel.

I’m okay with LA Reid staying, in fact, I’m glad.  I like him.  But I like Simon lol…

I like both of them too especially LA. He picked contestans he was going to sign after the show as his finalists and indeed signed them. He apparently signed Chris Rene the day after the finale, lol! I think one or two of these three guys are the hope for XFACTORUSA season 1, lol! They all made good TV too! Chris Rene the “bad-boy-turned-good”, Astro the “arrogant” kid and Marcus Canty, “the cat with nine lives”. OMG!

So far, of the non-winners, Chris, Astro and Marcus have been signed.  What’s happening with Josh Krajcik?  Has he been signed?

I was wondering about Josh, too.  I don’t think he is at all commercial though. Totally and AC or AAC kind of singer. 

He told me on twitter “working everyday w/ good people to help me get some stuff up on the web for you guys”, but he really wouldn’t say anything more than that.

Josh has tweeted a couple of weeks back that he’s writting with Andrew Frampton and Steve Kipner. Since we’ve not heard anything and he’s writing with Frampton who is head of PHONOGENIC RECORDS also under SONY, he’s probably being signed by them. Why do they take so long in announcing the deals? uggh! It just makes us fans anxious lol!

Why does he say get stuff on the web for you guys? I don’t get it. Does that mean he’s not been signed?

Josh will get some sort of a record deal from Sony – he did come in 2nd on XF. Chris is releasing his debut single now because they didn’t need much time to record it and make it ready. Melanie covered “Respect” for her Pepsi commercial, but it’s not her real single. I’m sure Savan Kotecha, Claude Kelly and Epic work extra hard on new material.

Thanks for the responses about Josh, everyone.  I’m also wondering why Josh is saying that he’ll be getting some music “up on the web”.  If he’s been signed, why wouldn’t he be releasing music the usual way and why hasn’t there been an announcement?  Also, what kind of genre is “pure #beast”?  Does anyone have a clue?  lol

LOL Yeah, #beast wasn’t the kind of answer I was looking for. I even named a few that he could’ve fallen under…just to help the man out…but nuffin! ;) I hope he does well and picks the correct genre. I really liked his sound.