The latest report from the Hollywood Reporter has “well placed sources” that insist Jennifer Lopez, at least, was not fired from American Idol, and that Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick will likely return as executive producers. Nigel will reportedly finish negotiating his contract by the end of the week.
Production budgets and staff, including salaries for judges, will slashed. As an interesting sidenote: While Britney Spears cost Simon Cowell and X Factor, 15 million dollars, Demi Lovato came at the bargain price of 1 million dollars. Read more at The Hollywood Reporter.
So who’s available for the more reasonable price tag of, say, $5 million? Contenders include Nicki Minaj, Fergie, will.i.am and even alums like [Carrie] Underwood and Adam Lambert, who have a unique perspective on the show. “Whoever it is, he or she should be young,” says one Idol insider, referencing the show’s “fogey factor” — contestants as young as 15 being made to sing ’60s songs and disco tunes, favorites of executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick. The producing team is likely to stay with the show. Says a Lythgoe rep, “He’s in the process of negotiating his contract and will hopefully come to a resolution in the next week.” But insiders say subtle changes might creep into the competition.
Some believe Interscope head and Idol mentor, Jimmy Iovine will take the reins of the music department, possibly bringing in friend Mary J. Blige to freshen things up.
So, what do you think? Is American Idol on it’s way out, or can a new judges’ panel reinvigorate the aging show as it did after Simon Cowell left at the end of Season 9?
American Idol is still the #1 competition reality show, so I would not give it last rights just yet. Its rating will never match the glory days of Season 5, most likely, but there’s no reason why it can’t continue. One thing seems obvious–the production team will have to tweak the formula every year in order to stay competitive with the likes of The Voice and X Factor.
The new kids on the block have had troubles of their own, however Both The Voice and X Factor had to rethink their own formulas after ratings for the X Factor never reached the dizzying heights Simon Cowell boldly predicted. And The Voice can’t seem to hold on to its audience after the show’s gimmicky audition rounds. All three shows have issues to overcome. I don’t see a clear winner in this race just yet.
