Tonight marks the fourth-season finale of Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew (MTV, 9:00 p.m. EDT), and to mark the occasion, the titular producer and American Idol judge got on the phone with EW.com to discuss the AfroBorike-vs.-We Are Heroes ABDC finale, the addition of Ellen DeGeneres to Idol’s judges panel, and critics who are tired of him using the word “Dawg” in every episode of the nation’s No. 1 television program.
There’s been a wide-range of responses to Ellen DeGeneres joining the Idol judges’ panel. What would you say to people who argue Ellen doesn’t have the musical background or the toughness to be a good judge?
Between myself, Simon and Kara, we’re so well-versed in the music industry, I don’t know if there needs to be any more insider information talking about the music and everything. [Music] is clearly what we all do every day as our real life’s work — even though we have other TV shows and other things going on — and Ellen, she can represent the voice of the people. It’s almost like having someone from the public on the panel. Ellen is very smart, very talented, and is a huge, huge, giant music fan, along with being a friend of mine, a friend of Ryan’s, a friend of Simon’s. We’ve all known her for a while and we love her, and I think she’ll be really good. I think she’ll offer that insight of the person sitting at home.
I often think, though, that folks sitting on their couches at home sound more like Simon Cowell. The public is actually really critical, no?
Yes, some people do, and other people give people the benefit of the doubt. That’s the reason you have a multiple of judges. It’s like being in a band — I love bands. I love rock bands, and it’s fun talking about this band I manage, Paper Tongues out of Charlotte, NC. But the great thing about bands, you don’t like the guitar player, maybe you like the bass player or the drummer, or the keyboard player. There’s an opinion there for everyone, and definitely the panel plays a huge part as a whole. Remember if you sat four people on a couch, someone might say ‘Oh my god, that person sucks!’ Someone else might say, ‘They’re nice or at least they’re cute and I like their top; they’re not that bad.”’
As someone obsessed with Idol myself, I have to say I prefer a three-judge format. Last season, sometimes it felt like with all the judges’ feedback, we barely had time to hear the contestants singing. What would you say to that criticism, and is it something you’ve talked about behind the scenes?
I think this season we’ll be a lot better at that. Last season was the first time we [had four judges], and it’s a little bit of a tough time, it’s a little wrinkle when you first do it. But the show was originally planned as a four-person panel. So we’ll get our hands around that a little better this time, and actually now I really like the four-person look. When we first did it I was like [makes ambivalent sound], but I really like it now.
Of all the folks who’ve been reported as Idol guest judges during the audition episodes — Victoria Beckham, Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne, Neil Patrick Harris, Joe Jonas, Kristin Chenoweth, Shania Twain, Mary J. Blige — who was the toughest?
I don’t know if anyone was really tough. It’s hard for any artist to be tough on another would-be artist, because they remember what it was like to come up, and no one ever wants to bash them. It’s about being truthful and honest, and there’s a harsher way to do it and a nicer way to do it.
Without Paula Abdul on the panel, some people were worried about the lack of a nurturing voice for the contestants. Is that actually important?
I think you’ll get some of that from Ellen. And I always try — even if it’s a negative comment — to do it in a nicer sort of way. Simon goes for the jugular, to the excitement of a lot of people. We give a fair bit of that. But honestly this is a show about people trying to jump on a rocket ship to their career, and [us] giving them what they need to get there. Because if you think we’re tough on them, the public is a lot worse than we are.
There was a Media Curves study last February that actually ranked you as Idol’s most popular judge. Thoughts?
I didn’t know about that, and I’m shocked to hear that. Usually in those polls, Simon is the one. I am so happy and I really welcome it. [Laughs] How about that? One for the good guys!
On the flip side of that, how about people who say that you rely too much on phrases like ”for me, for you” or “aiight” or “pitchy”? Does it bother you when people say that? And will you try to shake it up with regard to those critiques in season 9?
That’s just a sound bite they edit together. And you get stuck on the words ‘dawg’ and you get stuck on those things sometimes. But what it really is, if you really listen to what I say and not listen to the sound bite [compilation] that happens at the end of the season, when we’re at the finale and they’re making fun of us, that’s where that comes from by the way. You can string together any reporter saying “What, what, what, what, what” a thousand times and it sounds funny. And it’s hard being the first one to speak, I’ve got to tell you. It’s hard to jump in first and give your critique, because you’ve got to jump in right away and do your thing. People have selective listening for the most part, but I think I actually say a lot of valuable, good things.
So let’s shift gears to America’s Best Dance Crew. This season’s contestants, and especially the final two (We Are Heroes and AfroBorike) have been really diverse, and different from the hip-hop-centric style the show favored in its first three seasons.
We want diversity of crews, diversity of styles, and to keep moving the envelope down the road. This is a show for everyone of all styles of dance, people who can really dance and pull together a great crew.
AfroBorike has had some raunchy moments this year.
One of the things I always wondered: “Where were the Latin dancers?” I want the Latin vibe, and that vibe is always very sensual, from Shakira going back down the line.
In one routine, though, AfroBorike simulated oral sex. What are your thoughts on pushing the envelope like that?
[Laughs.] I’m not sure our thing is to push the boundaries, but to push the boundaries of dance and to really herald that brand and identify that brand of dance so it can be universal in all sorts of ways. These were people that were more salsa or ballroom types, and now you see them on a show that’s a hip-hop kind of show, a show that’s got krumping on it.
What about the other member of the final two, We Are Heroes?
On the other side, We Are Heroes, they represent a contemporary style of dance. I’m just so happy we’re representing what really goes on in America. All shapes, sizes, colors, creeds, styles, everything. This is literally — people say it all the time — but this literally is a show for everyone and everybody.
The two finalists are very different from what we’ve seen in the first three seasons of ABDC.
Part of that is the public voting. The crews do their thing every week and throw it down, but the public’s mind is being expanded, too, and allowing other styles in.
Judge JC Chasez’s foppish fashion has gotten toned down a little bit this year. Were you pushing for that from behind the scenes?
[Laughs.] I love JC. JC is always pushing the envelope. He was an integral part of *NSync and he’s a dope, talented guy himself as a singer, dancer, and writer. So he’s always pushing the envelope of style, and I think he still is, but he’s just honing it in this season. What do I want to be? Who do I really want to look like? I think he looks fly, but it’s funny you mentioned it. [Laughs.] That’s funny.
Who are you rooting for between We Are Heroes and AfroBorike?
It’s a really tough one but I must say I love the story of We Are Heroes and what it represents in the world and in the American culture. Anybody can do it. Any shape, size, whatever, coming from anywhere, any way. AfroBorike is great, too, but my heart goes a little more to the story of We Are Heroes. They give you a little of the pumped fist. Sometimes these shows are really about the Rocky story, the ones you never thought could do it or would do it. But they’re doing it. I’m always really rooting for the underdog.
For more discussion of Ellen on Idol and other reality TV ridiculata, watch the series premiere of Réalité below. And follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak!
Image Credit: Chris Hatcher/PR Photos
Comments (1-15) of 51 Add your comment
This season of ABDC has been the absolute worst out of all of the seasons. After last year’s jawdropping performances by Quest Crew, the weak routines by this year’s groups have been a tremendous disappointment. Afroborke should be nowhere near the top 5…if they had been on any of the other seasons they would have been long gone by now. We Are Heroes deserves to win this eyar. ABDC needs to have a Best of the Best season where Jabberwockeez, Super Crew, Quest Crew, Beat Freaks, Kaba Modern, Supreme Soul, We Are Heroes all compete for the title of who is truly America’s Best Dance Crew (IMO it’s most definetly Quest).
Wrong – Jabba is definitely the best crew to come from ABDC. That’s the reason every other season SUCKS. B/c they were the best and no one can live up to the high standard they set. They killed it on the show and now they are on tours, at major sporting events and in commercials.
I agree that Jabba was the best crew overall to ever take the stage, but Kaba Modern put on the best individual performances that show has ever had.
Sorry BEAT FREAKS were robbed!! But that last performance (doing splits in the fire)of We Are Heroes threw down the gauntlet! Randy, please replace Little Mama with Paula. Shane, Paula and JC would make an awesome 5th season of ABDC!
Jabba is the BEST crew to come out of ABDC, period. Kabba Modern, Beat Freaks, and Fanny Pak are close, but still not on the level of pure talent and accomplishment that Jabba has, but I have to agree this season was the worse season yet!
That would be great to see if they would make a best of the best show, but I think if Beat Freaks were on this season instead of last, they would’ve won. I didn’t really care for this season myself.
Randy Jackson is coming off as being more delusional than LIL Rounds. He gives “valuable critiques”? STFU already Randy…
I wonder why he thinks he gives valuable critiques — he says next to nothing. Are you sure he didn’t say cliches instead of critiques?
And the most popular? Exactly what is Media Curve and how do they tally votes?
I thought Randy said Dawg and Aight so much because I watched every episode of the show- I didn’t realize I was being tricked by an end of season compilation..that I hadn’t seen yet..
HAHA A+
ROFL. So the editing of a live show caused Randy to seem like he … wait a minute! I think he’s silly.
I think this season got off to a pretty slow start and agreed with Shane Sparks when he kind of took them all to task and told them all to do better. After that, I felt like some groups stepped up to the challenge. I was excited to watch the last battle and thought We Are Heroes just killed it. They’re not a breakdancing group but they are cohesive, creative and they threw down these last several weeks! They def deserve to win this season.
I love the idea Liquid has about all the best of the best competing next year. Now that would be exciting television!
Randy is delusional if he thinks we are selectively hearing his overuse of “pitchy” “dawg” and “aiight”. For me for you, I wouldn’t have missed him if they had dumped him and Paula. I’ve fast forwarded through both of them for years. He may be well versed in the music industry, but he is not well versed. Pick up a thesaurus, please.
I agree 100%. He’s definitely worse than Paula and one of the worst judges on *any* Idol show. He almost never says anything meaningful.
.
I think there’s a reason why he says “it’s hard being the first one to speak.” It’s because he has doesn’t have a cogent thought in his brain.
HILARIOUS that he thinks the audience is only criticizing his critiques because of the sound byte edit at the end of the season. Hellooooooo! Do these people read any of their own reviews/press for feedback? Does their management? Do the producers? Has no one been telling him to change it up at all? I can’t believe that.
Could he follow the FOX party line a little harder there? He sounds like a tool and generally I like Randy. Ellen has made Idol a joke.
I lost all respect for Ellen when she claimed she was qualified to judge because she has been judged her whole life for being gay? I’m gay and I hate it when people play the gay card. I’ve been judged but that doesn’t mean I’m qualified to judge everything on Earth. Give me a freaken break Ellen and go away. You embarrass the cause!
Yo Rosie,
If you’ve managed to watched the episode of Ellen that so has you in a tizzy, you’d realize that whole ‘I’ve been judged my whole life’ was a SET UP to the because I’m blonde joke. If you’ve lost all respect for Ellen because of what you perceived her to say, well then, you won’t be missed. BTW, I love the other posters who are so having fits about Ellen joining AI and how it will be a joke. You mean, it wasn’t campy before? With everything that has happened within the Idol universe since it started, having Ellen join will make you finally stop watching? Also Rosie, saying Ellen embarrasses you is quite insulting. Ellen has done more to improve the gay cause than anything you can possibly do as she broke some major barriers. It’s a joke honey, calm down.
Speaking of calming down…maybe you should take your own advice, big boy.
No, she said she’s been judged her entire life for being blonde.
Is he kidding? Does he not realize he actually does say every one of those things every episode, repeatedly? I can’t tell if he’s delusional or just super-defensive.
This show is quickly becoming a joke.
Love you Randy and I like your “words”. Only music ignorants can diss on a grammy-winner and big shot of the music industry.
micheleKamay: Woah, so just bc he has won a grammy
( for production, not for singing nor for writing nor for a performance )
he is not to be criticised?
We arent “music ignorants”. & if Randy is so great why has his last cds bombed, they havent even sold 50,000 copies worldwide!
Bigshot? RJ is medium shot at best. Mariah Carey is the biggest singer he worked w & that was in the ealy 90s.
Randy, you are a tool. Sound byte editing? Dawg,it’s live. And when Simon disagrees you change your answer. Me thinks you think to highly of your music knowledge. Aiiighgt?
ooops,too
EllenSHOULDNT be a perm judge. I think fox signed her bc they think her daytime tv show audience of moms will then watch Idol. Fox just wants ratings.
Idol judges should be those in/of/from the music industry who have expertise.
ELLLEN SHOULDNT BE AN IDOL JUDGE!
Shut your pie hole people! Simon Cowell probably have said the same thing over and over more than any other judges on the show!