RANDY JACKSON TO LEAVE AMERICAN IDOL

Randy Jackson, a fixture as a judge on American Idol for the past 12 years, disclosed on Thursday that he will depart at the end of this season. His announcement came days after reports appeared suggesting that Fox intends to introduce a panel of superstar judges next season. Early in the day, Jackson sent an […]

MARIAH CAREY NAMED AMERICAN IDOL JUDGE

As was widely anticipated, Mariah Carey was named the new judge of American Idol today (Monday). Her selection comes following the departures of Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler earlier this month. Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly told TV reporters and columnists gathered for their annual summer “tour” that the completed judging panel will be revealed […]

LOPEZ QUITTING AMERICAN IDOL

Jennifer Lopez made it official today — one day after Steven Tyler announced that he had decided to leave American Idol and rejoin Aerosmith: She, too will be leaving, she told Ryan Seacrest on his synidcated radio show, On Air with Ryan Seacrest. Lopez, who, like Tyler, joined the show two years ago, sounded emotional, […]

STEVEN TYLER QUITS AMERICAN IDOL

After two seasons of steadily declining ratings, American Idol will be undergoing a major revamp next season. Steven Tyler announced his departure today (Thursday), heading back in the saddle as the frontman of Aerosmith. And Jennifer Lopez hinted during an interview on the Today show that she may follow Tyler out the door. Speculation quickly […]

IDOL JUDGES ASTONISHED BY ANOTHER AUDIENCE VOTE

Pia Toscano, who had been regarded by Las Vegas oddsmakers as the frontrunner in this year’s American Idol competition, was eliminated Thursday following the announcement of the audience vote. The announcement touched off boos from the studio audience and surprised comments from the judges. Idol judge Jennifer Lopez seemed particularly upset by the result, especially […]

COWELL NO BIG LOSS AS IDOL LAUNCHES 10TH SEASON

American Idol launched its tenth season on Fox Wednesday night with 26.1 million viewers, down from 29.8 million for the premiere of Season 9, 30.4 million for Season 8, and 33.4 million for Season 7. In other words, it dropped no more this year than it has in recent years, despite the departure of Simon […]

NO SURPRISES AT IDOL JUDGES ANNOUNCEMENT

In an announcement that was considerably less unexpected than LeBron James’s revelation that he was forsaking the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat, the producers of American Idol said today that Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler will replace Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres as judges on American Idol. The webcast of the decision, presented by […]