Fox just issued a statement confirming that Kara DioGuardi won’t be returning to American Idol next season. News comes as Jennifer Lopez is finalizing a deal to join the Fox series and amid speculation that Idol might be reverting to the original three-judge format. Also closing in on a deal for the reality series is Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler. And executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said last weekend he’s still trying to land Elton John. So Randy Jackson will be the only returning panelist after Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, and now DioGuardi have gone.
Kara DioGuardi is stepping down from her role as a judge on AMERICAN IDOL. DioGuardi joined AMERICAN IDOL as a judge in the series’
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Fox Confirms Kara DioGuardi Exits 'Idol'
'Idol' Still Trying To Get Elton John As Judge
Ray Richmond is contributing to Deadline’
Mariah May Be Bringing Her Crazy To American Idol
Mariah Carey is still in talks to bring her brand of know-how to ‘American Idol’ this season! …read full story
CKX Warns Of More Cuts To Come
Michael Ferrel, the new CEO of the American Idol producer, says there are ‘
Now Mariah Carey Wants To Be An American Idol Judge
It’s the summer of “I Wanna Be…American Idol Edition” for Hollywood. Instead of down-on-their-luck aspiring singers auditioning, it’s the stars that are vying for a seat on American Idol. …read full story
Jennifer Lopez Is A No-Go For American Idol
Due to her “increasing demands” while negotiating a deal, Jennifer Lopez is out of the running to become a judge on American Idol, according to People.com. …read full story
Nigel Lythgoe Inks Deal To Return To 'Idol'
It looks like Fox will be able to confirm shortly at least one new member of the American Idol team for next season, returning executive producer Nigel Lythgoe whose deal has been completed and is expected to be announced tomorrow. At Fox’s TCA presentation on Monday, the network’s entertainment chairman Peter Rice stated that ”the only thing I an tell you with absolute certainty is there are no signed deals with anyone on either side of the camera who wasn’t on the show last year,” referring to judges as well as Lythgoe.
Lythgoe will serve as an executive producer on Idol alongside Ken Warwick, who has been running Idol for the past 2 years, creator Simon Fuller and Cecile Frot-Coutaz. His duties will be strictly off-camera and he is not in contention for the show’s judging panel, Fox sources say. Lythgoe’
Papa Joe killed Judging Opportunity for Jessica Simpson on American Idol?
(HMG) – There have been a number of big names from the entertainment field tossed around as potential new judges on “American Idol,” to replace Simon Cowell. Nigel Lythgoe’s return to ‘
Jennifer Lopez to take over for Ellen DeGeneres as American Idol judge
(HMG) – Wow, the speculation on who will become the new American Idol judges is in high gear. While recent reports have Elton John, Usher and Paula Abdul, Justin Timberlake, Jessica Simpson, Chris Isaak, Harry Connick Jr. among celebrity music industry folks under consideration for American Idol, as we mentioned previously, Nigel [...]
JENNIFER LOPEZ IS NEW 'IDOL' JUDGE! Closed Deal This Week; Replaces Ellen Who Wanted Out of Contract: "It's Not Been Fun"
EXCLUSIVE UPDATE 6:30 PM: We’ve just learned the backstory of how Ellen DeGeneres bowed out of American Idol and who will be the new judge taking her place. It’s Jennifer Lopez, 
whose singing and acting career has been on the skids after her recent movie failed at the box office in the spring and she was dropped by her record company Sony Music Epic Records this past winter. We hear her manager Benny Medina (whom she once fired) orchestrated the meeting with the American Idol producers a month ago, and negotiations have been ongoing ever since. We’ve learned a deal was closed earlier this week under the utmost secrecy.
Still to be decided is who will replace Simon Cowell. Everyone associated with the show wants Elton John, but we hear he’s asking for too much money and has too many touring commitments he can’t get out of. (Denials That Justin Or Elton Judging ‘Idol’) Tonight, unconfirmed reports say Idol has offered Cowell’s judge seat to Steven Tyler.
As for Ellen Degeneres, we’re told she wanted off the show two months ago, and she and her reps went in to to see Fox Broadcasting’s Entertainment Chairman Peter Rice and Alternative TV President Mike Darnell and asked to be let out of the year left on her contract. “She’s not comfortable. She’s not happy. It’s not been fun,” Fox was told. But Rice and Darnell responded that, with Cowell leaving,
BREAKING NEWS: Ellen DeGeneres Quits American Idol
Well this is an interesting development. Ellen DeGeneres has decided to leave American Idol. She released the following 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,” …read full story
Are Major Shake-Ups Coming To 'American Idol'?
Some behind-the-scene changes at ‘American Idol’ may mean Simon Cowell wasn’t the only judge who is done on the show. Nigel Lythgoe, a producer who helped make the UK version of ‘Idol’ a hit and was with ‘American Idol’ for the first six seasons, has been brought back to re-tool the show.
One thing Nigel reportedly wants to do? Dump all the judges, according to the Hollywood Reporter. And who would replace the current panel of judges?
The wish list is said to include Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Elton John. Nigel is also said to like Paula Abdul as a judge.
I already can’t imagine ‘American Idol’ without Simon. Randy Jackson is the only original one left, and I can’t imagine it without him, either!
And I really can’t imagine Justin, Usher, and Elton as judges. What do you think?
Photos by INF
Nigel Lythgoe possible return to American Idol could mean clean sweep of judges
(HMG) – The constant rumors of multiple new candidates joining American Idol might not be just a question of filling Simon Cowell’s vacant judge’s seat. “Idol” producer 19 Entertainment chief Simon Fuller’s intention might be for a clean sweep with fresh new judges. Enter Nigel Lythgoe, who helped launch the “Idol” phenomenon in the U.K. with [...]
Nigel Lythgoe Returns to 'Idol' As EP
He was the first major member of the American idol team to depart the show. Now former executive producer Nigel Lythgoe is finalizing a deal to return for the upcoming 10th season as the top-rated reality series is looking to shake off a lackluster Season 9 and to prepare for its first season without Simon Cowell on the judging panel. Lythgoe is expected to serve as an executive producer alongside Ken Warwick, who has been running Idol for the past 2 years, creator Simon Fuller and Cecile Frot-Coutaz. Lythgoe’
Chris Isaak Wants To Replace Simon Cowell on American Idol!
Chris Isaak is one of the top contenders to replace Simon Cowell on this season’s American Idol! …read full story
Crystal Bowersox fought to stay on Idol, did it all for her son
“American Idol” runner-up Crystal Bowersox gave an interesting interview to Redbook, giving some behind-the scenes perspective about her time on the show. Crystal is diabetic and got very ill early in the show’s run. At one point, Idol producers told her that she was off the show because she had to go to the hospital. [...]
American Idol almnus, Constantine Maroulis gets dancer pregnant
[HMG] – American Idol alumnus, Constantine Maroulis has been wowing the crowds with his role in the Broadway hit, ‘
'American Idol' Lowers Eligibility Age Limit
For a second time in its run, Fox’s American Idol is expanding its eligibility age range. After stretching the upper age limit from 24 to 28 after the first 3 seasons, the Fox talent competition is now lowering the minimum required age from 16 to 15. Clearly, this is tied to the enormous popularity of younger singers like Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus and to the importance of younger teen and tween girls who are a powerful Idol demographic and have gotten behind younger contenstanst like David Archuleta and Aaron Kelly in the past. Additionally, despite talk that Idol may [...]
Ryan Seacrest is hitting this
Julianne Hough is bendy Congrats to Ryan Seacrest’s penis. It must feel like it just won the lottery. Dammit she’s hot. From Us Weekly:On Sunday, she was photographed walking arm-in-arm with American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, fueling rumors the… …read full story
