Randy Jackson Leaving ‘American Idol’

LOS ANGELES — Jackson out.  Randy Jackson, the lone original “American Idol” judge, says he won’t be returning to the Fox talent competition.

“To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on ‘American Idol,’ I have decided to leave after this season,” Jackson said in a statement Thursday.  “I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry.”

The 56-year-old record producer and bassist called the experience a “life-changing opportunity.” He said he’s leaving “Idol” to focus on his record label and other business opportunities.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130509/ENTERTAINMENT01/130509227/later-dawg-randy-jackson-leaving-american-idol-#full_story

Randy Jackson Returning To “American Idol” — Simon Cowell Says

Randy Jackson is returning to “American Idol,” according to former judge Simon Cowell.

“Just heard randy is back on idol,” the “X Factor” executive producer, who judged “Idol” for nine seasons alongside Jackson, tweeted today (Sept. 10).  “Right decision,” he added.

Just heard randy is back on idol.  Right decision.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/zap-randy-jackson-returning-to-american-idol—-si-20120911,0,5635482.story

Mariah Carey Joins ‘American Idol’

Paula Abdul, Jennifer Lopez and now … Mariah Carey.

Fox just made it official: Carey is the latest successful pop diva to join American Idol.  The 42-year-old will join the judges table for season 12.

As reported in this week’s issue of EW, Carey has been the leading contender to join the panel this summer, which has seen a flurry of celebrity names floated in the press as possible candidates.  Her salary is expected to be somewhere north of $12 million — the sum paid Jennifer Lopez during her first year on the show — and possibly as high as $17 million.

Previously, Simon Cowell was courting Carey as a mentor for X Factor’s second season, though it’s not clear if her Idol announcement precludes an appearance on Fox’s other show.

Read more: http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/23/mariah-carey-american-idol/

Britney Spears, Demi Lovato Are New ‘X Factor’ Judges

REUTERS – Britney Spears and former Disney Channel star Demi Lovato will join talent show “The X Factor” as judges when the U.S. version of the contest returns to television in September, Fox television and the show’s creator Simon Cowell said on Monday.

Cowell said in a Twitter message that Spears, 30, the world’s biggest pop phenomenon of the 2000s, will join him on “X Factor,” which searches for a new pop star from tens of thousands of ordinary Americans.

Spears will be joined by singer and actress Lovato, 19, to fill the judge’s seats left by Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who were both fired by Cowell after a disappointing first season in 2011.

Cowell announced the news on Twitter, sending a photo of himself with record producer Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Spears and Lovato and saying “Can’t believe it’s finally happening. Very exciting!”

Read more: http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/05/14/britneyspears-xfactor-idINDEE84D0KN20120514

Simon Cowell Cleans House At X Factor

It would seem all the rumors swirling around for months have come true.  X Factor‘s host, Steve Jones got fired.  That rumor was the first one I heard.

Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger have been let go as well.  The two women spent most of the season crying or telling us they couldn’t vote to send people home.  Paula was also the first judge to have all her contestants eliminated, rather early in the competition.

Simon evidently has another project for Paula.  I don’t think Simon ever cared for Nicole.  Steve grew on me as the season went along but he certainly doesn’t have the appeal of a Ryan Seacrest.  Even though Simon and LA Reid fought a lot, LA Reid was a fierce competitor to the end and has probably gained Simon’s respect because of it.

Names circulating around are Mariah Carey, Nicki Manaj and Katy Perry for judges.  Cheryl Cole is also allowed to return if she wants to.  Perez Hylton also threw his “hat in the ring’. (Please ignore that train wreck!)

So we wait and see who Simon ultimately chooses.  It would seem that things can only get better.

Hollywood’s War Of The Wages

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The second season of a Simon Cowell-free “American Idol” started this week. Cowell ditched the popular talent show last year to launch a U.S. version of his British music competition “The X Factor,” which he vowed would attract 20 million viewers. It fell short, topping out at 12 million. Now there’s word that the new “American Idol” judges, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, had been joking backstage that they would be “devastated” if they didn’t get 20 million viewers. (They did for the season premiere, but just barely.)

Lopez may be winning the ratings war, but Cowell is winning the war of the wages. The music executive earned $90 million last year thanks to “The X Factor,” which he owns a share of, and his record label, Syco. Lopez earned $25 million. Most of that came from “Idol” but she also has several movies coming out and a new clothing line.

Read more: http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=697139

“American Idol” Judges, Producers Zing “The Voice” & “The X Factor”

The comparisons between “American Idol” and every other singing competition on TV are numerous, but the “Idol” team — judges, host and producers alike — would like to remind you that “Idol” is the first and the best in the game.

Judge Randy Jackson says that although he is friends with Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul and he wishes them the best of luck with “The X Factor,” nothing else can compete with “Idol.”  “I think that ‘Idol’ is still the best TV show of its kind, anywhere.  We’re the original,” he says.  “We kind of invented this whole game that everybody’s now copying.”

Executive producer Ken Warwick goes further, saying that “Idol” is the only reality competition you can count on for real talent.  “This is the show that produces the stars,” he says.  “There is no other series over the years that has produced anywhere near the number of stars that we have.  To be honest, Leona Lewis was kind of a one-and-a-half hit star for a minute, but there’s no Kelly Clarksons, Carrie Underwoods, Jennifer Hudsons.  Coming up on [NBC] now is Kat McPhee — they are real stars.  They really are.  And none of these other shows are producing stars like that.”

Read more: http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=694291&ocid=rr-tv-news

And The Winner Is? Melanie Amaro Crowned Winner Of X Factor USA

In a star-studded finale that concluded months of competition, Melanie Amaro was crowned the first winner of the American version of X Factor and the winner of a $5 million recording contract.  The biggest prize ever awarded for a singing competition.  Melanie will also appear in a Pepsi commercial.

Star after star graced the stage this evening, Justin Bieber w/ Stevie Wonder, Leona Lewis, 50 Cent, Pit Bull and Neo.  The final twelve returned to perform group numbers and several of the finalists made cameo appearances with the superstars.

Josh Krajcik finished in second place and Chris Rene finished in third place.

Congratulations to all this evening’s finalists. 

X Factor USA will be back in 2012 for a second season!

Simon Cowell’s X Factor

I watched the X Factor last night and throughly enjoyed it.  I miss Simon and Paula on Idol.  I do enjoy Jennifer and Steven as Idol judges, so no offense to them.

Simon seemed a little kinder and Paula was very lucid.  The addition of L.A. Reid as a judge is great.  Nicole I can take or leave.  I never thought I would say this but Ryan Seacrest is a better host than whoever they have on X Factor.

I like the fact that Simon appears to pay attention to the audience reaction more than when he was on Idol.  There were times on Idol that Simon should have paid a bit more attention to an overwhelmingly positive audience reaction and did not.

I am looking forward to next week already!  I want more!

American Idol Opens To Mixed Reviews

The first week of American Idol has come to a close.  The New Jersey and New Orleans auditions are behind us now. 

Personally, I was not going to watch any more but decided, to be fair, I should at least give the new panel a chance.  Never did much care for Randy.  Loved Paula and Simon.  Kara (disliked) and Ellen, who is funny and I enjoy her show, was not really suited for AI by her own admission.

When they announced Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez I was more than a little upset.  Based on who they could have considered I felt maybe this was not such a good idea.  Really wanted Harry Connick, Jr. but he evidently had too many commitments to be a judge.

I must say I was surprised by Steven Tyler.  I think he is funny, has a good eye for talent and is very respectful of the contestants, even the bad ones.  People seem to love him or hate him.  I did see more positive comments from people than negative ones. 

Jennifer Lopez needs to say no more.  Otherwise, I think she will be fine.  I am hoping she gets tougher as the season moves along.   I think people are more evenly divided on whether they like her or not than Steven Tyler.

Some good talent so far.  Looking forward to the rest of the auditions.  350 people made it to Hollywood from what I read.  Largest group ever.  In the end, they still have to get down to 20 (new this year) so as long as AI foots the bill, who cares.

American Idol…And Then There Was One

First Simon.  Then Ellen.  Now Kara.  Randy “that was just aight” or “that was pitchy dawg” Jackson is the last man standing on American Idol.  That is definitely a WTF moment if ever I saw one. 

Rumor has it Stephen Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are the front-runners to replace Simon and Ellen.  OMG…can’t we do better???

Unless Simon Fuller pulls a rabbit out of his hat I am so done with AI.

Ellen Is Leaving American Idol!!!!!!!!

Boy oh boy, that didn’t take long!  Ellen said she didn’t feel is was the right fit for her.  She didn’t like hurting people’s feelings and her schedule became more hectic etc….  Wonder if Simon leaving had anything to do with it?  I will be hard pressed to watch anymore unless something magical happens.  Could it also have something to do with Ellen starting her own record label???

Nigel Lythgoe, who is awesome IMHO, is being wooed to come back.  If you watch So You Think You Can Dance, Nigel is a great judge.  He won’t blow smoke up your dress but he can be very complimentary, when warranted etc…  I would definitely tune in if Nigel came back!

Randy “you’re pitchy dawg” Jackson is still under contract…ugh…. Kara is year-to-year but she is ready for Season 10….don’t like her at all.  No Simon and no Ellen.  That sucks for viewers.

FOX better pull a rabbit out of their hat pronto!

TEAM NIGEL!

Huge Idol Finale Tonight! Will Simon’s Departure Overshadow The Winner?

There is so much in store on tonight’s American Idol finale!  Many guest appearances from past season contestants and winners and special guest stars like Hall & Oates, Chicago, Joe Cocker and Janet Jackson.  Even Miss Paula Abdul is slated to pay a visit to send Simon on his way.

I hope that Simon’s farewell doesn’t take away from the winner.  Not that Simon doesn’t deserve the mother of all send-offs but whoever wins will have to share the spotlight with Simon.  It seems like there should have been a special farewell show dedicated to Simon after the competition is over.  This is a lot of pack into one two-hour show!

American Idol Showdown

Last night’s American Idol contestants, Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox, held their own in the last round of competition.  I tend to like Lee better personality wise but looking at them musically they are about evenly matched.  You may like one better than the other, or like one style better than the other, but at this point in time I would not say Crystal is breezing into victory as predicted earlier in the season.  Lee has certainly been the most improved contestant this season and is “in it to win it”. 

Whatever happens, they can both hold their heads high and say they gave it their all.  Good luck to Crystal and Lee!  You are both winners in my book!

Vote For The Worst

This has to be the absolute worst website/blog in America.  Whoever is in charge of this train wreck has no musical taste/aptitude and their sole purpose is to ruin American Idol.  Nice goal –  WTH! 

Now that Casey James has left the building they are encouraging everyone to vote for Lee because, in their opinion, he can’t sing and has no personality.  One has to wonder what musical training these people have.  Obviously, not much.  They don’t particularly like Crystal either, but she is not as bad as Lee in their opinion.

If you are going to critique something, you should have some ability in that area.  Obviously, these people are on the Randy Jackson “that was pitchy” train and can’t get off.  I don’t think Randy knows what pitchy really means and neither does Vote For The Worst. 

I think they are just looking for something nasty to say.  If you can’t say anything nice, shut the hell up already!

Vote For The Worst’s Casey James Goes Home

After falling flat last night, Casey James was eliminated leaving Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox to duke it out next week in the finale.

Two poor song choices and two boring performances aren’t gonna keep anyone around this late in the competition, Vote For The Worst or not. 

So long Goldie Locks.

Lee DeWyze Has His Moment On American Idol Last Night

Last night was all Lee!  The judges all agreed Lee won the first round and Simon went so far as to say he crushed the competition.  After the second round, where contestants sang the judges choice for them, Lee proved he is “in it to win it” as Randy Jackson is so fond of saying.  Lee’s version of “Hallelujah” was awesome.  Simon hand-picked this song for Lee and I believe based on Simon’s reaction, Lee exceeded Simon’s expectations for him.

Crystal did well as always but she didn’t have a WOW moment like Lee did.  Casey James continued to prove he is out of his league and doesn’t belong there.  Vote For The Worst is right.  He is the worst and should have gone home several weeks ago!

Based on the audience and judge’s reactions last night, Lee DeWyze is the front-runner going in the next week’s finale.  If the finale doesn’t include Lee and Crystal then something is beyond wrong.  Simon is clearly on team Lee.

Vote For The Worst Saves Casey James Again!

BOO HISS! Michael Lynche went home tonight and Casey James survived another elimination.  However, after this week, his luck runs out.  I will be shocked beyond words if he beats out Crystal or Lee next week.

Great performances tonight.  Good advice for the contestants.  Chris Daughtry is living proof you don’t have to win Idol to make it big!

Casey James New Vote For The Worst

After last night’s performances, Casey James has become the Vote for the Worst poster child du jour.  They gave him a F.  WOW, really??  Kinda harsh but whatever.

I thought the judges comments were off the wall last night and was left scratching my head wondering what exactly they wanted.

Looking forward to seeing what America thought, and of course a performance by Lady Gaga.  She was reportedly paid a quarter of a million dollars for tonight’s appearance on American idol.

American Idol Simon Cowell Replacement Rumor

This is rich!

Martha “ankle bracelet” Stewart has thrown her hat into the ring as a possible replacement for Simon Cowell next year.  Sweet Mama!  Say it’s not so.  Martha said she is ideal because she is “fair”.  Hmmmm… let me ask Rachel Ray about that and I’ll get back to you Martha.

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