“American Idol” supporters have resigned themselves to not having Simon Cowell as a judge anymore. It is unsure how die-hard followers will deal with the latest exodus, however. First, Ellen DeGeneres came forward with information that she is leaving the show. Adding insult to injury, now Kara DioGuardi has been fired, reports the Los Angeles Times. That leaves Randy Jackson and vacant seats that may very well be filled by Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.
‘American Idol’ has an unsure future
Clearly Fox, also as Nigel Lythgoe and the “American Idol” production group, think you will find nevertheless ratings to be squeezed from the aging yet still popular program. According to Deadline.com, Jennifer Lopez is slated to fill the Kara DioGuardi seat with additional magic once Season 10 starts. Like Paula Abdul before her, Jennifer Lopez began her entertainment career as a dancer. A Lopez return to Fox may remind a few of her stint as a dancer on “In Living Color”.
‘AI’ is losing ground, but nevertheless popular
While “American Idol” remains America’s most-watched television program, the loss of viewers in recent seasons gave the producers pause. The Times writes the “AI” team was close to giving Ellen DeGeneres the ax. Nevertheless, the producers allowed Ellen to leave rather than firing her as they did DioGuardi. Ellen was non-confrontational in a statement- “A couple months ago, I let Fox and the ‘American Idol’ producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me”. This mirrors what large segments of the viewing audience were thinking, as Ellen vacillated between “deer within the headlights” and saying something nice to cover up the fact that she knows very little about music.
Fox Networks Group chairman Peter Rice said in his own announcement that “We love Ellen and understand and support her decision to bow out of ‘Idol’”.
The chemistry needed an adjustment
“Idol” Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe made no bones about how Kara DioGuardi, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson didn’t mesh well onscreen. Adding Ellen DeGeneres to the mix didn’t help matters. At one point, Lythgoe speculated that if he could have his pick of judges, he’d take Usher, Elton John and Paula Abdul. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler appear to be on the fast track to “AI”.
Steven Tyler isn’t really talking
X17 Online was able to catch up to Steven Tyler outside the Sunset Marquis hotel in West Hollywood, so they pumped him for a scoop. Allegedly, Tyler would be made head judge, the role once played by Simon Cowell. Tyler failed to let on. However, he also didn’t deny that he could be a part of “American Idol’s” future.
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Los Angeles Times
latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/kara-dioguardi-out-of-tune-with-american-idol.html
The Washington Post
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/29/AR2010072905730.html
X17 Online
x17online.com/celebrities/steven_tyler/x17_xclusive_steven_tyler_tight_lipped_on_new_gig_as_idol_judge-07302010.php