Who will be on the ‘Idol’ panel in 2013?
Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson were the 2011 and 2012 judges on "Idol." Could all three be gone for 2013? "Idol" needs to sign by next month who the panelists will be. CREDIT: AP
I’m still on a break this week so I’ll just pose a question that may in fact already be answered: who will be on the panel for season 12 of “Idol”? We know host Ryan Seacrest is back but nobody else.
[UPDATE, Sunday, July 15: I know I'm breaking the rules here since I'm on a break, but I wrote this before I left and there has been obvious breaking news this past week, with both Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez leaving. Neither move was a particularly big surprise given their performances this past year. Mildly entertaining in spurts, especially when he was edited during auditions, Tyler ended up being more a limited, goofy cheerleader than a good judge. He has a perfectly fine career as lead singer of Aerosmith. Lopez has revived her career in music, endorsements and acting so she is not bad off at all moving on. As for Lopez's contribution as a judge, she was always more level headed than, say, Paula Adul, and brought emotion and grace to the position but as is often the case in this show, I eventually started tuning her out during the live shows. In fact, as the years go by, I find the judges less and less useful, especially in the later rounds. An L.A. Times story says even Nigel Lythgoe's position is in doubt. I actually enjoyed season 11 in terms of talent. As we have all discussed, the massive ratings decline was a combination of age and competition, not necessarily because the "Idol" formula is broken. I'm not sure how much "fixing" will do to stem any future reduction in viewership. And read this Hollywood Reporter piece about likely budget cuts for "Idol" now that its ratings are down so much, which also notes that the talent search so far this year hasn't been all that impressive.]
Will the original, Randy Jackson, be back? A lot of press stories imply he isn’t. I have an in person interview with him scheduled in Atlanta Monday, July 23, to talk about “Idol” and his Type II diabetes, which he was diagnosed nine years ago and is only talking about now. We may know by then whether he’s staying or going. My problem: I have jury duty that day. Hopefully, the county will not need me and I won’t have to show up at all, allowing me to have my first sit-down with the man ever. (I’ve done phone conference calls with him and met him briefly seasons two and three.) Assuming I talk to him, I’ll certainly ask him about his future with “Idol.” I can’t imagine he’d like to go anywhere. It’s his home.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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129 comments Add your comment
Rickster
July 16th, 2012
8:18 am
Other than Ryan & Nigel, I hope none of the big names are back next year.
Sam-A
July 16th, 2012
8:59 am
Deirdre: When you seen “Falling Skies”, tell me what you think is Ben’s agenda with his move last night. Pretty sure I know, but could be totally wrong.
Mercedes: I saw “Safety Not Guaranteed” yesterday. Liked it a lot, but didn’t love it like I did “Moon…..” That girl could so be Allison Janney’s daughter – they look so much alike! I interpreted it that he really did go back in time years before and save the girl he loved.
Very sad about Sylvester Stallone’s son – too young. His lawyer said he wasn’t a drinker and didn’t take illegal drugs – was preparing for his wedding. Seems like an all-around good young man
Allison Wonderland
July 16th, 2012
9:00 am
Time to be cancelled!!
G
July 16th, 2012
9:01 am
What else is Randy going to do, release/produce an album?
At this point, I’m not all that amped about who the next judges will be. Jimmy Iovine has been my unofficial judge. As long as he remains, I’m cool on the judging front. With Jimmy’s personality, I think the formula works as is. Since Simon has been gone, Idol judges have provided nothing more than hot fodder. The show is missing Simon’s candor.
The talent on Idol this past season has been the best I’ve seen in a long time (outside of PP, of course). It shouldn’t be a surprise if there is a dip in talent this year. Besides, there’s plenty of other opportunities besides Idol that will give contestants a better chance at winning………..and exposure.
Oh yeah……..morning.
Mercedes S.
July 16th, 2012
9:10 am
When it rains, it pours, RoHo. Randy AND juty duty. If you have my bad luck, you’ll sit through the morning at the courthouse, get told to go have lunch in their expensive cafeteria, and when you return to the waitroom, you’ll be told to go home. OR, the wait period can drag out to five pm. Why not ask Randy to join you at the coue courthiuse?
Mercedes S.
July 16th, 2012
9:11 am
sorry last senetnc dang, words keep freezing up!
Woodpappy
July 16th, 2012
9:19 am
Now Now….there is that one nugget out there just waiting to be discovered. Remember Carrie Underwood who had never even flown on an airplane before. I’m like Deirdre, in that I watch the show to see who the next “star” is going to be (if any each season). I just hope that the panel that is put together has the knowledge and experience that is needed to actually judge contestants.
Tito
July 16th, 2012
9:29 am
Let it die gracefully. Whenever something goes past its prime, its starts to be an embarrassment. Sinatra was a prime example of this, he sang waaay past his voice. Lena Horn was different, she knew when to hang up the mic, and went out like a graceful lady. Idol should take a similar path. You set the standards, now leave it to the others to try to achieve what you have done.
Mercedes S.
July 16th, 2012
9:34 am
An amost there RoHo better than noRoHo!
And good morning!
Interesting take, Sam-E, on “Safety Not Guaranteed”… I do think, though, that the trip he takes with the girl is his first one ever… his early dream girl was never in danger… all of the characters fiddle with the truth when they talk about the big moments of their lives… when they go back in the end, the mad inventor realizes that a dead mom beats a recalcitrant girlfriend. IMHO, at least
Mercedes S.
July 16th, 2012
9:37 am
Anyone see “True Blood” last night? I watched 28 uninterestng minutes and saved the rest for later watching. Have a new book, to get into, after all, Daborah Harkness’s “Shadow of Night”, much-praised sequel to “A Discovery of Witches” (now in paperback – excellent read).
Mercedes S.
July 16th, 2012
9:38 am
Tito, AI never had any grace, why start now?
Mercedes S.
July 16th, 2012
9:39 am
And now I’ll let someone else “talk.”
Mercedes S.
July 16th, 2012
9:39 am
Yo-hoo! Anyone?
Deirdre
July 16th, 2012
9:44 am
Morning!
Tito…the show, despite its ratings decline, is still #1 in the primetime series ratings. NOBODY in their right mind would “let it die” at the moment. That would be like shooting the cash cow.
To tell you the truth, I’m not sure what will happen. Obviously, we’ll have new judges but I’m not sure that other changes need to be made. I’m in favor of changing the voting system, not because it is actually flawed(I don’t believe that changing the voting will change the outcome…when we get a girl who is as good as Kelly or Carrie, she will win…we’ve been spoiled) but the voting needs to change because the voters have lost confidence in it.
Tito
July 16th, 2012
9:49 am
“when we get a girl who is as good as Kelly or Carrie, she will win”
Really? What about Melinda Doolittle? JHud? Jessica Sanchez? These ladies are just as good if not better than K and C. Talent means nothing on this show, its all about demographics.
JTesla
July 16th, 2012
9:57 am
Tito “good” probably doesn’t mean just vocal ability. Kelly and Carrie had things Melinda did not, hence Meinda didn’t win.
Deirdre
July 16th, 2012
9:58 am
Tito, while I agree with you about Melinda I’m going to remind you that a girl won Melinda’s season so it doesn’t apply to the whole “guys always win” complaint. And I don’t know whether you were reading any of the online forums that season but there was a lot of ugly stuff written about Melinda’s appearance. While I think she is one of the best singers ever on Idol, many people vote with their eyes not their ears.
As for Jessica, I don’t agree that she is as good as Kelly or Carrie or Melinda. Her vibrato was intensely annoying to some in the same way tinnitus is annoying. I do agree that she has a very good voice and it will be an excellent voice when she gets some training.
Deirdre
July 16th, 2012
9:59 am
As for JHud, if you go back and listen to all her performaces during Idol…she wasn’t that good. And her attitude stunk. She has gotten a lot better since then.
Tito
July 16th, 2012
10:03 am
I do agree about Jhud’s attitude.
Tito
July 16th, 2012
10:04 am
“Tito “good” probably doesn’t mean just vocal ability. Kelly and Carrie had things Melinda did not, hence Meinda didn’t win”
I agree, they had the demographics.
Tito
July 16th, 2012
10:06 am
And further more, Kelly was not all that when she won, she was a plain jane, that could sing in my book. And Carrie was a hick country girl, who had never flown on a plane.
Sam-A
July 16th, 2012
10:13 am
Tito- I’d have to argue that, for me, Kelly was far superior to all three of those above, though Melinda had a good voice, as did Jessica – but not “the whole pkg”.
Mercedes: so funny you mentioned “Discovery…” – just finished it and I’m not sure at all I actually liked it. There were parts that absolutely bored me to tears (All that “Ashmole” and all the technical stuff,etc.) and parts, mainly when they went to Matthew’s home in France, that I mostly enjoyed. Really liked Marthe & Ysabeau. But there was lots of tedious stuff for me. Doubt I’ll read a sequel.
Tito
July 16th, 2012
10:18 am
What exactly is the “whole package” Kelly was not drop dead georgous like Pickler, so what did she bring other than her voice? She was simi plump (nothing wrong with that, my gf is heavy) and her attire was not a standout, she just was in the right place at the right time. If she had been in any other year, I bet she would not have won. Voting is not the same way it was when she won. And BTW, I like Kelly.
Deirdre
July 16th, 2012
10:19 am
Carrie was gorgeous in spite of being a hick and Kelly’s voice was amazing. Her only real competition was Tamyra.
But it isn’t just looks and voice when it comes to the girl singers. It’s also an appealing personality. And that is also true of al the guys who have won the last few years. Voice is only one aspect(or no aspect at all if we’re talking about Lee DeWyse)All the guys have had a pleasing personality and fairly decent looks as well.
As I said, I’m not sure the outcome will be any different if the voting is changed. The demographic of the show will stay the same and that demographic obviously prefers male singers over female singers.
Deirdre
July 16th, 2012
10:20 am
Gotta sing off for awhile. The little guy will be waking up soon.
Sam-A
July 16th, 2012
10:28 am
Actually Kelly was cute as can be – pull up her performance of “Stuff Like That There” and see her “dressed for the part” of this 40’s song. And she had a super personality – very bubbly and real. And the voice – a total WOW factor.
Mercedes S.
July 16th, 2012
10:52 am
The show is called “American idol”, not “American Singer”.
Rickster
July 16th, 2012
10:56 am
Her queeness: “Gotta sing off for a while. The little guy will be waking up soon.”
Well… maybe if you didn’t sing, you wouldn’t wake him up?
G
July 16th, 2012
12:52 pm
@Mercedes S. Good point. If this was “American Singer”, there’s a few Idol winners that wouldn’t even make it to the top 10. Also, American Singer would probably have to perform without the use of an instrument. Let’s just say that a guitar player’s chance of even auditioning would be limited.
DanJ
July 16th, 2012
12:59 pm
@Tito: when we get a girl who is as good as Kelly or Carrie, she will win”
Really? What about Melinda Doolittle? JHud? Jessica Sanchez? These ladies are just as good if not better than K and C. Talent means nothing on this show, its all about demographics
Tito Melinda and Jennifer Hudson lost to girls. Melinda to Jordin Sparks and Fantasia won the year Jennifer Hudson was on. And as much as I like Jessica and think she can be a superstar she is missing something. That something being the IT factor. Sorry can’t say X-Factor on an Idol thread! lol
El Mongol
July 16th, 2012
1:06 pm
Lemmy Kilmister lead singer of Motorhead man he would scare the crap out of some of those wannabes.
Rickster
July 16th, 2012
1:33 pm
What about Howard Stern?? Only problem is that he’d want them to move Idol to NY… and they wouldn’t.
WAR EAGLE
July 16th, 2012
1:38 pm
Idol has had it’s run and people are SICK of Seacrest as much as they are sick of Bieber, the Jackson 4 and Oprah. END IT! WHO CARES!?
Woodpappy
July 16th, 2012
2:04 pm
I care.
Jenny
July 16th, 2012
2:37 pm
Hey all! Have only had time to skim, so pls forgive any seemingly random (or late) thoughts. I kept seeing stuff I wanted to say but no time- so spitting it all out now.
My HUGE preference for the judges panel: Adam Lambert, Katy Perry and Paula. New panel=new life.
And on the recent (this morning?) voting change discussion – I think it’s needed so they can overcome the *perception* of unfairness. Agree w/D that the voters have lost confidence in the system.
But… will it make a difference in the winner? I’ve begun to doubt it.
I don’t think even Kelly or Carrie could have derailed the pp train this past season. But maybe just maybe, that’s an America’s taste issue… maybe not a voting issue. I think with the current demographics a girl may never win again, even if she’s another Whitney.
And as for a girl winning over Melinda, well, that was a crazy-judges-let’s-pimp-a-young-popstar-even-though-shes-not-as-good issue. That wasn’t the wgwg effect…it didn’t really exist yet. The first time wgwg unfairness reared its ugly head was Kris.
magiccyclopsh8er
July 16th, 2012
2:47 pm
Blake finishing second over Melinda, Gina, Talented Phil, and Lakeisha wasn’t the wgwg, but it was the wg effect.
Eric
July 16th, 2012
2:52 pm
Fox may as well just pull the plug on American Idol after season 12. So You Think You Can Dance and The X-Factor seem to be doing quite well for themselves. Idol has already over-stayed its welcome, and it hasn’t been the same since Simon and Paula left.
curious
July 16th, 2012
2:56 pm
Since the show embraces product placement, I see no reason not to select Ronald McDonald and Wendy.
Ga Boy
July 16th, 2012
3:03 pm
Gene Simmons would be great.
Vast Wastrel
July 16th, 2012
3:23 pm
JLo was simply product placement of her own brand.
AI is the highest rated talent show and even thinking Fox would pull the plug at this point is ludicrous.
I’m 100% in favor of changing the voting to one vote per phone number, IP number, or social network ID.
If they are really into cost cutting then Randy needs to go as well.
I agree with Rodney that the “judges” are pretty much superfluous now with the exception of some pot stirring oftentimes at the behest of the producers. (I’m not saying its rigged! They’re just groomed to project whatever slant will increase ratings).
I’m not in agreement to using a past idol as a judge. For lack of a better term it’s just too incestuous.
Fox could do themselves a favor for the long run by shortening the length of the individual shows, especially the results shows.
Ivan Cohen
July 16th, 2012
4:02 pm
Maybe because it is a moneymaker for Fox which is why they are still holding on to American Idol. Of course there are risks involved the show could run out of steam or get run into the ground by the network. Some fresh blood(new judges) might help. Maybe there is a judge workshop which can teach a Steven Tyler or a Jennifer Lopez what to look for or they could take private lessons from Randy or Simon.
Harriett
July 16th, 2012
4:02 pm
Hey everyone! The beach is great! Gorgeous weather and going out for some great food tonight.
Rodney, I knew with all the news breaking we’d have to hear from you.
Mo Schreibman
July 16th, 2012
4:12 pm
The Idol television program should do itself a personal favor and make the scene like all the kids are saying these days and sign some youngsters to be the judges like Steve Lawrence and that girl who sings with him or Jack Jones even who is not busy now that the Love Boat television program is in summer reruns. Who would be perfect would be Bob Goulet if he was still alive which he is not so they might as well forget about him already and get somebody in better health who will last the whole season like that guy who threw the those tomahawks at Johnny Carson or was it Ed I can never remember which even if he is not a real Indian and keeps kosher of all things.
Harriett
July 16th, 2012
4:17 pm
Hey, M0! I love Mo1 Great sugggestions!
Deirdre
July 16th, 2012
4:20 pm
Nap time!
People who say that Fox should cancel Idol don’t seem to understand how tv works. If a show is making money, a network doesn’t cancel it.
And FYI, Idol is doing a lot better in the ratings than either The Voice or X-Factor. That may change but for now, Idol is still the king.
G
July 16th, 2012
4:27 pm
A couple of things occured to me about the future judges:
1. They should “probably” represent the majority mainstream.
2. No R&B artists (past or present) should be judges.
3. No Hard Rock or Rap artists (past or present) should be judges.
4. Country and pop artists are okay to judge.
5. At the end of the day, judges do not predict the outcome of the final winner.
Sam-A
July 16th, 2012
4:53 pm
Harriett, enjoy that great fresh seafood! I’ll be having flounder from Harry’s – how fresh? Who knows?
Highlander
July 16th, 2012
5:34 pm
G, I agree with numbers 3, 4 and 5 on your list. Not sure about #1 since I don’t know if anyone knows what the “mainstream majority” is.
And as for #2, there have been quite a few R&B artists who have had hits on the Pop charts.
I think the public does more to pigeon-hole artists into one category and have a hard time believing that artist has any knowledge about another genre. And that leads to the perception that there would be more favorable critiques from a judge who knows the particular genre in question and perhaps a slant against a genre that the judge was not familiar with. (I recall that was a problem with Mary J during her guest stint on Idol. She clearly did not like Country and wasn’t to shy to show it.)
Highlander
July 16th, 2012
5:37 pm
Make that “too” shy… (I really DO know the difference between to, too and two! )
Vast Wastrel
July 16th, 2012
5:48 pm
@Mo – Ed Ames was Mingo on Daniel Boone and a fun tidbit was Leonard Nimoy did a show or two on there as a Native American with him as well. Ames had a great singing voice and my mother had his one hit album, My Cup Runneth Over With Looooooovvvvve. Of course in the golden years of Cowboy movies there were a bevy of kosher Indians but my favorite anachronistic one was Jeff Chandler as Cochise.
I’m thinking even younger for judges though I’m sure some of them played the Catskills in their day. Neil Diamond was just on the show and is still pretty spry. Bette Midler for those insisting upon a diva. Who better than Leonard Cohen to judge Halleluiah when it gets its 112th rendition on the show? Paul Simon or his sometimes sparring partner Artie Garfunkel. Someone else mentioned Gene Simmons but face it, Kiss only played 3 chords. My pick for aged rocker would be David Lee Roth who should be available since that reunion thing didn’t work out so well.