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Madonna's manager Guy Oseary is leading the line to replace Simon Cowell as a judge on next season's American Idol, according to reports.
A host of stars have been rumoured to replace the music mogul following confirmation that he is to step down later this year.
While Cowell focuses on launching a US version of The X Factor in 2011, producer Rodney Jerkins and radio DJ Howard Stern have so far been named as potential successors to the 50-year-old.
However, show insiders have now told the New York Daily News that Madonna's longterm representative Oseary is in talks for the role, alongside Jamie Foxx and Mariah Carey's former husband Tommy Mottola.
A source revealed: "Guy has been in the music business since Madonna discovered him when he was 17, and he has a lot of the same experience as Simon.
"His competition just can't live up to his level of experience and the people behind the show are slowly starting to realise it. He was thrilled to hear Fox is considering him. He thinks it would be great for his image. And it's great exposure to boot."
They added: "People really only know him (Mottola) as Mariah Carey's big bad ex. And producers are worried he'll even be harsher on contestants than Simon was."
tammyy2j
01-06-2010, 14:11
After Bret Michael's surprise appearance on American Idol, 68 percent of TVGuide.com voters say the Poison front man should replace Simon Cowell as the new judge of the reality singing competition.
Michaels, who performed a duet with Idol finalist Casey James on Wednesday's finale, three days after winning Celebrity Apprentice, told the crowd at his Biloxi, Miss., show Friday that he was in the running to replace Cowell.
The 47-year-old performer's concert was his first since he suffered a brain hemorrhage and a warning stroke during the past month.
tammyy2j
22-07-2010, 10:45
Will singer Chris Isaak become American Idol's newest judge?
With preliminary auditions for American Idol's 10th season well underway, Fox is hustling to find a suitable replacement for Simon Cowell, and Isaak may be one of the top contenders after having met with the network twice, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Isaak, 54, is best known for his 1989 hit song "Wicked Game," but he has also acted in small parts on Eastwick, Cold Case and Smallville, as well as in the films Married to the Mob and Silence of the Lambs. He also starred in The Chris Isaak Show, his semiautobiographical series for Showtime.
Crooner Harry Connick Jr. is also a contender, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
While the network has met with several candidates for the position, Peter Rice, Fox's entertainment chairman, says he expects to have a new judge ready to join the show by early September.
Nigel Lythgoe is nearing a deal to return to American Idol as an executive producer, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The So You Think You Can Dance executive producer and judge is being brought back to revamp Idol following Simon Cowell's exit earlier this year. The 61—year-old producer, who helped launch the original Pop Idol in England along with creator Simon Fuller, also worked on American Idol for the first six years.
American Idol also is looking to shake up the judges table. Justin Timberlake and Elton John are currently on the top of Fuller's wish list for new judges, THR reported. Additional names in consideration for the judges table include Harry Connick Jr. and Chris Isaak.
Since leaving Idol two years ago, Lythgoe has been critical of the judges table and told Zap2it in April that if he were in charge, he would replace all the judges.
Jessica Simpson has become the latest celebrity to be linked to American Idol.
According to Life & Style, the popstar/actress has met with Idol executives several times about landing a spot on the show.
"They like her - she's a good fit - and she likes it. Now it's just a question of how to fit her in," said an insider.
A representative for Simpson is believed to have confirmed the two sides have been in contact to Gossip Cop, however continued to say that there have been no negotiations about the role yet.
Other names who have been linked to the Fox competition include Chris Isaak, Bret Michaels and Harry Connick Jr, who appeared as a guest mentor during season nine.
Fox has yet to comment on the Simpson report.
tammyy2j
29-07-2010, 10:36
Jessica Simpson has met with American Idol producers about joining the show’s judging panel, a source close to the show tells EW, confirming a report on TMZ this afternoon. “I’m not sure whether her people approached Idol, or if it was the other way around,” said the source, who added that Simpson is just one of “dozens” of candidates who’ve been considered for an Idol gig when it returns to the air in January 2011.
As was widely reported yesterday, former Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe is all but certain to return to the show for its tenth season, and he went on the record last spring saying he favored an entirely new slate of judges for Fox’s ratings juggernaut. Translation? The network may be looking for more than a replacement for the departing Simon Cowell, who jumped ship at the end of Idol‘s ninth season in order to launch a U.S.-based version of his popular British series The X Factor. Complicating matters could be the fact that current judge Randy Jackson is reportedly signed through next year, and his colleague Ellen DeGeneres has only completed the first year of a multi-year deal.
“The network’s dream scenario would be to make a splashy announcement at TCA on Monday morning,” said the source, referring to Fox’s presentation at the 2010 TCA Press Tour that is scheduled for August 2. “They’d be the talk of TCA, and the message to other networks would essentially be, ‘Follow that!’”
EW has also learned that despite their names surfacing as potential Cowell replacements earlier this week, both Justin Timberlake and Elton John’s meetings with Idol producers took place “a couple months ago.”
Ellen DeGeneres has decided to leave her post as judge after only one year on American Idol.
The comedian posted the announcement on her website on Thursday, stating that she felt the position wasn't the "right fit".
"A couple months ago, I let Fox and the American Idol producers know that this didn't feel like the right fit for me. I told them I wouldn't leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next," she wrote.
"It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realised this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings."
DeGeneres added that she will continue to watch the show after her departure.
"I loved the experience working on Idol and I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be."
Idol creator and executive producer Simon Fuller added: "I loved Ellen's passion for the artists and her nurturing skills. She brought honesty and optimism to our judging panel and I will miss her greatly."
The show's executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz said: “We will miss Ellen, she has been the consummate professional throughout her time on the show, and she’ll always be part of the American Idol family.”
Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment at Fox, said: “It was a joy to work with Ellen. She brought an incredible spirit to Idol and was a great new addition to the team.
"While we’re saddened by her decision, we are very appreciative that she gave us ample notice so that we could work through it together.”
Fellow judge Simon Cowell previously announced that he will not be returning to the programme in order to launch a US version of The X Factor in 2011.
tammyy2j
30-07-2010, 10:26
Fox announced today that Ellen DeGeneres has decided to step down from her role as a judge on American Idol. DeGeneres joined the panel in its ninth season. The network released this statement today: “A couple months ago, I let Fox and the American Idol producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me,” said DeGeneres. “I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next. It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings. I loved the experience working on IDOL and I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be.”
Fox released a statement of its own: “We love Ellen and understand and support her decision to bow out of Idol,” said Peter Rice, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Networks Group. “We were fortunate to receive the humor, energy and love for talent that she brought to the show.” Added Idol creator Simon Fuller in a statement: “I loved Ellen’s passion for the artists and her nurturing skills. She brought honesty and optimism to our judging panel and I will miss her greatly.”
News of DeGeneres’ departure comes amid reports that former Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe is all but certain to return to the show for its 10th season and that he reportedly favors an entirely new slate of judges for the competition show to make up for the loss of Simon Cowell, who left at the end of Idol’s ninth season to launch a U.S.-based version of his popular British series The X Factor. Complicating matters could be the fact that current judge Randy Jackson is reportedly signed through next year.
tammyy2j
30-07-2010, 10:37
Jennifer Lopez has inked a deal to join American Idol‘s judging panel for its upcoming 10th season, according to a Deadline Hollywood report. The news dropped just hours after Ellen DeGeneres confirmed her exit from the show, despite having only served one year of a reported multi-season deal.
Lopez served as an Idol mentor on Latin night during the show’s sixth season, garnering generally positive reviews for her warm, candid style, and her ability to extract a not entirely terrible performance of “Bésame Mucho” from widely maligned contestant Sanjaya Malakar.
A Fox spokesperson declined to comment on the reported deal with Lopez. Calls and emails to Fremantle Media, American Idol spokespersons, and Lopez’s reps were not immediately returned.
The new American Idol judge will reportedly be announced next week.
The team behind the show have been searching for a new star to join the programme since Simon Cowell announced earlier this year that he has decided to leave.
TV Guide has now claimed that Fox will unveil his replacement at its Television Critics Association presentation on Monday.
Rumours have also suggested that Fox could announce a completely new panel following the departure of Ellen DeGeneres. Recent reports have also suggested that Kara DioGuardi will not be returning.
Nigel Lythgoe, who is expected to rejoin American Idol as an executive producer, has reportedly previously said that he would like to hire a new set of judges.
A source explained: "Nigel wants to make changes."
Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler have all recently been linked to the competition.
Kara DioGuardi has reportedly been fired from American Idol.
According to TMZ, the show's judge will not appear on the next season because she has been let go by producers.
The programme will apparently return to its original three-judge format next season, with Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler thought to be possible panellists.
DioGuardi could return to the show if Lopez does not accept the offer.
Ellen DeGeneres announced on Thursday that she was quitting the programme after one season
Kara DioGuardi is said to be horrified after allegedly being fired from American Idol.
The judge, who joined the show in its eighth season, is rumoured to have been let go in favour of Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.
A source told Showbiz Spy: "Kara loved judging Idol. She’s horrified that she’s just being tossed aside like this.
"She understands the show is in need of a revamp, but Kara really thought she had a job for as long as she wanted it. She’s beside herself."
Ellen DeGeneres announced earlier this week that she is leaving American Idol after just one season.
Ryan Seacrest has reportedly said that the new American Idol judges might not be revealed for "weeks".
Speaking to The AP, the host of the Fox competition said that fans of the series might have to wait a little longer to discover who will be sitting on the panel when the show returns for its tenth season.
He is also quoted as saying that he does not know whether there will be a four-judge panel or a three-judge panel.
The ninth season of American Idol featured a panel comprising Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres, however Cowell announced that he was leaving the show earlier this year and DeGeneres recently revealed that she had stepped down from her post. Rumours have also circulated that DioGuardi might not return for another season although the network has yet to comment.
A string of stars have been linked to the new judging panel including Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, although Fox has yet to confirm or deny the reports.
The network's entertainment chairman Peter Rice recently said that "no-one has signed a deal yet on either side of the camera to join American Idol other than people who were on last year".
No one will be as good as Simon he will be missed on the panel everyone only wants to hear his opinion not the others
Nigel Lythgoe's return to American Idol as an executive producer has reportedly been confirmed.
According to USA Today, representatives have said that the current So You Think You Can Dance judge has signed a two-year deal to rejoin the Fox competition.
He will work alongside creator and executive producer Simon Fuller and fellow executive producers Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Ken Warwick.
The tenth season of the talent contest will see a new-look judging panel following the departures of Simon Cowell and Kara DioGuardi, although Fox has yet to announce the line-up. Host Ryan Seacrest recently suggested that it could be weeks until the new names are revealed.
Lythgoe originally left Idol in 2008 to focus on So You Think You Can Dance.
tammyy2j
05-08-2010, 10:28
Nigel Lythgoe, familiar to many viewers as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, is returning as an executive producer of American Idol, the Los Angeles Times reported on its website today (Wednesday), noting that the deal with Lythgoe — he returns after a two-year absence — was completed this afternoon. The newspaper also said that veteran record producer Jimmy Iovine has been signed as a mentor — essentially playing the role that Clive Davis did in the show’s early years. Neither Lythgoe nor Iovine will sit on the judges’ panel, the Times indicated, noting that deals with Jennifer Lopez and Steve Tyler to come aboard as judges are expected to be completed before the end of the week.
tammyy2j
13-08-2010, 12:55
Jennifer Lopez's American Idol deal is apparently in danger of falling apart due to "unreasonable demands" according to US reports.
The singer, who is also known as J-Lo, is believed to be the frontrunner to replace Simon Cowell, who left at the end of the last season.
However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, talks have stalled due to Jennifer's request for 20 million dollars a year, a personal hair, make-up and styling team and her own dressing room compound.
Others being touted for a spot on the judging panel are Shania Twain and Mariah Carey.
Shania Twain is top of the producers' wishlist for American Idol, according to a source.
People reports that execs have been keen for the country pop singer to join the judging panel since she appeared as a guest mentor on the talent contest earlier this year.
"They've been after her ever since she was a mentor on the show last season, and they haven't given up," an insider claimed. "Shania’s a huge fan of the show and she had a great time as a mentor."
However, neither Fox nor Shania Twain's representatives commented on the speculation.
tammyy2j
19-08-2010, 10:48
Steven Tyler is signed, sealed, and Idol'd. While Fox officially says "no comment," a very-inside music source confirms the flamboyant Aerosmith singer finalized negotiations late last week and is officially signed on to be a judge on the 10th season of American Idol.
Kara DioGuardi has confirmed reports that she is departing her role as a judge on American Idol.
The 39-year-old, who joined the talent show in its eighth season as a fourth judge, follows fellow panellists Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres in leaving the programme.
She said in a statement released by Fox: "I felt like I won the lottery when I joined American Idol two years ago, but I feel like now is the best time to leave Idol.
"I am very proud to have been associated with American Idol - it has truly been an amazing experience. I am grateful to Fox, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, as well as the cast, crew and contestants, for all they have given to me."
She added: "I look forward to my next challenge, and want to thank everyone who has supported me. All the best to everyone on season ten!"
It was earlier suggested that judge Randy Jackson has signed to return to the show.
Fox is yet to confirm reports that Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler will form part of the panel on the tenth season.
American Idol returns in January 2011 on Fox.
American Idol has confirmed the date on which it will unveil the upcoming tenth season's judges.
Fox announced in an email to Entertainment Weekly that it will hold an Idol press conference at The Forum, Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 22 at 12pm PST to reveal who will make up next year's panel.
Show host Ryan Seacrest is to attend the event and will be joined by the new panellists as well as Idol bosses, reportedly including exec producers Nigel Lythgoe, Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Simon Fuller.
Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler have both been strongly linked with joining the show.
Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi have all exited the series. The only other judge remaining from last season, Randy Jackson, is yet to confirm his status.
tammyy2j
23-09-2010, 11:56
Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler have been unveiled as the new judges on 'American Idol'.
At a press conference announcing their appointment, Lopez said she was "looking for the next Michael Jackson".
Tyler said of his new role: "[It] feels like the perfect feathered nest. It's being a part of something much bigger than yourself. I want to bring some rock to this roller coaster."
Returning judge Randy Jackson said: "We found some unbelievable talent and I am calling season 10 the remix, baby!"
The new series of 'American Idol' begins on American television on 10 January.
annette_tr9
23-09-2010, 12:53
i am really pleased Steve Tyler is there! hopefully that will mean more rock songs!
More change is afoot for American Idol, which will air on a different night for its forthcoming 10th season.
The Fox TV network said its hit singing contest will move from Tuesday and Wednesday nights to Wednesdays and Thursdays when it returns.
Its season debut is on January 19.
The switch means more big change for American Idol, which is bringing in new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez after the departures of Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi. Randy Jackson will be back on the panel.
Fox's decision to move the series comes as American Idol fights to keep its number one spot.
The show's ratings have been declining, with this year's finale between winner Lee DeWyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox drawing about 24 million viewers, down five million from 2009.
Simon Cowell has said he's happy that Steven Tyler will take his place as a judge on American Idol.
The X Factor judge, who attended the International Emmy Awards in New York with his fiance Mezhgan Hussainy, said: "I always said it had to be someone who wasn't better looking than me and they achieved it."
He added that the Aerosmith frontman seems like a nice guy, and Randy Jackson told him they were having a lot of fun.
He believes Steven can adequately fill his shoes, but stopped short of saying the rock star would damage his credibility being on the show.
Simon said the role of judge is something that Steven wants to do and added: "It's a fun job. You got to take it like that. You can't take it too seriously."
American Idol and its new team of judges seem to be losing viewers, initial ratings for the latest series show.
Media research company Nielsen said 26.2 million people watched the two-hour season premiere of US television's most popular show on Wednesday night - 13 per cent down from the 29.9 million people who saw last year's season debut.
Nielsen said there was an even steeper ratings drop of 18 per cent among the youthful audience the Fox network wants to attract.
Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler appeared for the first time as judges, their style considerably nicer than Simon Cowell, who has left the talent show to concentrate on the US version of The X Factor.
But a Fox executive said the network was pleased there was still so much interest in the show and that chatter on social media about the new hosts seemed mostly positive.
The show's ratings also grew during each of its four half-hours, said Nielsen.
Meanwhile, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Junior said he was 'thoroughly disgusted' by the show's depiction of the Bronx. The final contestant was 16-year-old, Travis Orlando, from the Bronx who had lived briefly with his family in a homeless shelter.
Thia Megia and Naima Adedapo have been eliminated from the tenth season of American Idol.
The singers, who had fallen into the bottom three alongside Paul Mcdonald, were sent home tonight after it was revealed by host Ryan Seacrest that they had received the lowest number of votes following last night's performances.
The singers who are still in the running are Lauren Alaina, Casey Abrams, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, James Durbin, Jacob Lusk, Haley Reinhart, Stefano Langone, and Scotty McCreery.
The Top 11 all took to the stage together in smaller groups, with Lauren and Scotty singing a duet entitled 'I Told You So' by Randy Travis. Naima and Jacob performed Ashford & Simpson's 'Solid' while Haley, Thia and Pia chose Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream'. Casey, James, Paul and Stefano also came together for a rendition of 'Band On The Run' by Paul McCartney and Wings.
Tonight's episode also featured performances from former American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino with her single 'Collard Greens and Cornbread', as well as will.i.am and Jamie Foxx with their new song 'Hot Wings' from the upcoming film Rio.
American Idol continues next Wednesday on Fox.
DS
Jeff Beck will accompany the American Idol finalists during next week's rock themed episode.
It has been confirmed that the Top 9 will perform tracks from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Wednesday night's instalment of the Fox competition.
They will take to the stage alongside Beck, Ray Chew and the American Idol band.
Season four finalist Constantine Maroulis, who currently stars on Broadway's Rock of Ages, will perform on the Thursday evening results show.
This week's American Idol saw more than 55 million votes cast after the contestants performed tracks by Sir Elton John on Wednesday, setting a new record for the most votes cast this early in the competition.
Two singers were eliminated on Thursday night following the judges' decision to save Casey Abrams the previous week, while will.i.am and Jamie Foxx, and season three winner Fantasia performed.
The contestants' performances from this week are available as studio tracks individually or in a compilation album on iTunes now.
American Idol airs Wednesdays and Thursdays on Fox.
DS
American Idol has confirmed the theme for next week's performance show.
The Top 4 will take to the stage on Wednesday night to tackle tracks by songwriting and producing team Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
Among their numerous hits are 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Hound Dog', 'Charlie Brown', 'I (Who Have Nothing'),'Stand By Me' (with Ben E. King) and 'Yakety Yak'. The pair were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Previous themes this season have included the songs of Sir Elton John, tracks from the year the contestants were born, and songs by their favourite artists.
Next week's American Idol will also see Lady GaGa joining Jimmy Iovine to mentor the finalists as they prepare for their live show performances.
This week's show saw the Top 5 tackling one song from the 1960s and one current track. After more than 60 million votes were cast by the public, this season's Top 4 were chosen. Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull performed their track 'On The Floor' on the results show, while Lady Antebellum also took to the stage.
American Idol airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7c on Fox.
DS
Scotty McCreery has been named the winner of the tenth season of American Idol.
The 17-year-old from North Carolina scooped the recording contract prize over fellow contestant Lauren Alaina in tonight's live finale of the Fox competition.
Both singers had performed three tracks on last night's show: one chosen by them, one selected by celebrity guests Carrie Underwood and George Strait and the song they would release if they won.
"Man, it's been a year since me and Marlena tried out now. We've been together since day one and we're going to stay together. I gotta thank the Lord first, because he got me here," he said following his win.
McCreery's original song is called 'I Love You This Big'. His performance last night had prompted Randy Jackson to marvel at his vocal maturity, while Jennifer Lopez appreciated his storytelling ability and Steven Tyler applauded his attempt at taking chances every week.
The episode opened with the return of this season's Top 13 who took to the stage in all-white for a rendition of Lady GaGa's 'Born This Way'. GaGa herself also appeared later in the show to perform her new single 'The Edge of Glory'.
James Durbin also performed 'Living After Midnight' with Judas Priest while Jacob Lusk and Kirk Franklin took on 'I Smile' with a surprise appearance by Gladys Knight. Casey Abrams sang 'Fat Bottomed Girls' with Jack Black.
The girls then took to the stage for a group medley performance of Beyoncé's songs featuring the singer herself, and Haley Reinhart duetted with Tony Bennett on 'Steppin Out'. Soon after, the boys were given the opportunity to sing with Tom Jones.
Beyoncé also returned later in the show for an acoustic performance for her new single 'One Plus One Plus One'.
TLC also took to the stage to perform some of their classic hits with help from Lil Jon and the Top 13 girls. Later, Marc Anthony sang his latest single 'Aguanile' with an appearance by his wife and Idol judge Jennifer Lopez. Bono and The Edge also appeared with the cast of Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark for a performance of 'Rise Above The Dark' from the Broadway show.
The top two also got their chance to perform again, with Scotty McCreery singing 'Live Like You're Dying' with Tim McGraw and Lauren Alaina shared a duet of 'Before He Cheats' with season four Idol champion Carrie Underwood. Judge and Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler also hit the stage before the results were announced for a version of the band's song 'Dream On'.
American Idol airs on Fox.
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