Image Credit: Janet Mayer/PR Photos; Chris Hatcher/PR PhotosFor an American Idol fan like myself, the flurry of staffing shakeups this week at The House That Kelly Clarkson Built have been the emotional equivalent of taking a sledgehammer to an outdated kitchen wall. Yeah, you knew it had to be done — and quickly — but still…with all the dust and destruction and a possible contractor named Nigel who you’re still not entirely sure you trust, it’s hard to know whether to be terrified, excited, or a little of both.
That said, I’m genuinely optimistic about the widely reported rumor (still not officially confirmed by Fox brass) that Jennifer Lopez has snagged a permanent seat in this high-stakes game of musical judges. If I’m going to carry the “renovation” theme into this paragraph — and you know that I am, of course — then J.Lo is like that slab of luxurious marble that you can only hope will be a perfect fit for your countertop. Nope, I’m not being facetious. Lest we forget, the “Jenny from the Block” singer was a warm and funny presence when she mentored the season 6 Idol contestants on Latin Night. Remember how she called Blake Lewis into the room to do a little beatboxing and help hopeless Haley Scarnato capture the rhythm of “Turn the Beat Around”? Or the way she pushed Melinda Doolittle to try to connect with her inner sex kitten on “Sway”? So what if J.Lo’s not the world’s greatest warbler? What she brought to her mentorship was a genuine interest in the contestants and a genuine ease in front of the cameras.
Still, it’s one thing to have the right materials for a redesign. It’s quite another to make sure they’re installed properly. And with that in mind, I’ve got a list of three lessons Lopez can learn from failed departing panelist Ellen DeGeneres. (As for the Internet buzz that Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson are in, while Kara DioGuardi is out, Fox and reps for the stars in question have declined to comment; I’ll keep chasing the news all weekend, so follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak for updates.)
1) Honesty is the best policy. If you had played a drinking game on season 9 performance nights and done a shot every time Ellen used the words “good,” “great,” or “really great” to describe a performance, you’d have had to make a weekly trip to the emergency room to have your stomach pumped. And I don’t think DeGeneres would disagree. “It was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings,” she said in a statement last night announcing her departure from the show. That’s a line of thinking Lopez needs to banish from the get-go. When a mother yells at a child to stop running into the road, is she worried about hurting his feelings? Hell no! J.Lo needs to remember that the greatest gift she can give to the next generation of Kelly Clarksons and Andrew Garcias and William Hungs is total, brutal honesty. There are worse fates than finding out you don’t have what it takes to become a professional singer. Better to find while there’s still time to go back to school or learn a trade, no?
2) Authority always wins. Early in Ellen’s Idol tenure, you could sense that her instincts about the performances were actually fairly accurate, but she always capped her tough critiques with a bland bit of praise that negated everything that had come before it — something along the lines of “That was way too much song for you, you missed half the notes, but…I really like you and I hope you’re back next week.” If Lopez wants to connect with the audience at home, and actually help the contestants in the process, she needs to learn how to instantly formulate an opinion about a performance — and then stick to that opinion regardless of what her fellow judges say. Sure, she’s not Jessye Norman, but as Simon Cowell taught us for the last nine years, it’s the sharpness of your critiques, not your personal vocal technique, that garners the public’s trust.
3) There’s no substitute for keeping it real. One of Simon’s greatest attributes as a reality TV judge is his ability to react to the performances in front of him, without ever latching onto a particular catchphrase (“Dawg!” “Package artist!”) or pre-scripted persona (i.e. “the funny one,” “the cougar,” “the imbecile”). You pretty much get the feeling that the guy shows up for work in a dumpy v-neck t-shirt, sits down at a table, listens to some kids sing, and (most of the time) says the first funny thing that comes to his mind. That shouldn’t be a problem for a woman who scored a huge hit with a song called “I’m Real,” right? If Lopez never forgets that at its heart, Idol is about discovering the next generation of young talent, not about foisting some contrived, “look at me!” shtick onto an unsuspecting public, she could begin a whole new chapter of her career as the woman who helped breathe new life into the nation’s No. 1 TV show.
How are you feeling about J.Lo as Idol judge? Is there anything else she can learn from Ellen’s abbreviated run on the show? And if, in fact, Nigel Lythgoe is determined to return to a three-judge format, who would you pick to sit to Lopez’s left and right come January?
More ‘American Idol’:
Ellen DeGeneres exiting ‘American Idol’
‘American Idol’: Jessica Simpson met with execs
‘American Idol’ recap: Jennifer Lopez serves as mentor on season 6 Latin night
‘American Idol’: 15 Ways to Fix It!
She will NEVER EVER be a great judge. J-Lo is trash and her career is over. This is just for her to be in the spotlight again. She’ll be known as the person who single handily took down the biggest show in America cause no one will watch AI while J-Lo is on it.
lol. don’t have strong feelings about this do you? hate to break it to you, but she isn’t a one woman wrecking ball. AI lost its way this year and isn’t coming back – it was over before she even signed on.
Superstar J-Lo!!! Jenny has a lot of girl power. She will do great. She is such a very fun entertainer and she is amazing at her fast fun songs. Wonderful performer. I’ve always been a big fan of hers.
GET RID OF TEXT VOTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah. ONE PERSON ONE VOTE. The ridiculousness of voting hundreds of times if you want has ruined the competition. Not only that, without Simon, we are not watching.
I don’t even watch the show and can tell you that it doesn’t matter who ends up judging idol. Once Abdul and now Cowell were considered gone, so was the show’s fate. Ratings tell a huge story and Idol didn’t do as well last season, which, in retrospect, was a precursor to the low-attendance Idol tour.
Idol is simply past its prime.
The judges may have contibuted to the lower ratings last year, but a lot of people actually watch for the contestants. I DVR the show and tend to ff through a lot of the judges, who ramble on and on and say the same things over and over again. The problem last season was that the singers were boring and not exciting or inspiring. Picking better talent this year will go a long way towards fixing the show.
I agree that they should limit the amount of votes. They do it on Dancing with the Stars and it really makes me think before I call in my votes.
Ann – Your comment indicates you’re just like the person who doesn’t vote, and then complains about the politicians and the way the country is run. Yes, you have the right to complain, but the people who actually WATCH Idol don’t give a rats a** what you think! Don’t waste your valuable time!
J.Lo is a great entertainer. If she can judge is another question.
Overstate things much? Before Paula started AI, many were saying the same thing about her. People don’t take jobs on TV or try out for reality shows if they don’t want to be in the spotlight.
What’s this “much” thing? Who started it? It sounds stupid.
Been under a rock much mike??????
You’re supossed to end your sentence with the word “much” in order to make that comeback work.
IMHO, most people don’t take jobs on TV “to be in the spotlight.” They have training, experience, or talent which lends itself to be in front of the camera. In the case of talent contests, the contestants ARE the entertainment. The judges should be providing the contestant with an informed critique of their performance. We could write a book about Paula and Ryan and their demands “for the spotlight,” but I digress.
Back to the subject….. I’m ok about JLo because the rumor mill had me crazy about who it COULD have been (much worse). As to who sits on her left, I’m also ok with Steve Tyler. However, for overall knowledge and sharp critiques, would rather see Connick Jr. or Gene Simmons as anchor.
While we’re at it, the voting process desperately needs to be overhauled. As it stands now, the tweens have the vote because they’re under the sheets steadily voting for two hours when they should be asleep. It is not significant that 1 billion votes were cast if it doesn’t represent the true popular vote.
As to AI’s longevity, I’ve got money down that says it’s coming back in full swing for another decade.
LONG LIVE AMERICAN IDOL!!!
Bring on Jenny from the block! Yes! I’ve always loved her music. And her personality is great-I love her interviews because she is such a very fun person. Now I get to see her every week. Nice! Sounds like a plan to me!
I think Jennifer will make a great judge. The only thing that could make it better now would be if they hired Diddy for a judge and sat them side by side. Imagine the sparks they could bring since they were an item for several years. lol
Marie that is EXACTLY what I was thinking. Diddy would actually be good too.. they both would speak their mind in an interesting way.
Not a fan of hers, but this exactly. J-Lo has never had a problem with two things, namely being a diva and being mean on occasion. This should allow her to provide an actual critique unlike Ellen who clearly felt bad for all of the contestants. Having said that they then need someone to fill the old Paula/recently vacated Ellen seat who can actually be encouraging to the contestants.
umm, wow. issues alert.
I hate to break it to you hun but no one forms a career in show business without wanting to be in the spotlight.
Some of them do. They’re just the rare artist who loves music and creates things which, despite their best intentions, catch on. They do the dance for a bit then realize, “It’s ain’t my bag,” and slink off to be left alone. Leonard Cohen, Edie Brickell, Hope Sandoval. However, your point still stands, though there are (very rare) exceptions.
A few do. Johnny Depp comes to mind.
@ MOVIEMAN: Ojani Noa, is that you?
Seriously, she was the best mentor in her season for all the reasons Michael mentioned. Why so serious?
J-Lo can be a very good judge. She’s already proven herself as a guest judge. She may not be the greatest singer, actress, or dancer, but what does that matter? She knows the music business and she worked hard to get where she is. And come to think of it, as highly regarded as Simon is, he can’t sing, act, or dance.
J-Lo isn’t trash but I do agree she is a weak performer meaning she’s a better acress than singer. And you’re right she’s just dying to get in the spotlight again. If AI doesn’t work she’s on her way to Vegas!
As long as she never wears that jumpsuit again that she wore on Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year’s Eve. Awful.
She’s gonna judge, not sing and dance!
Thank god! I wouldn’t be able to take too much of that whiney voice of hers and that lumbering, clumsy dancing.
AI is about the contestants, not the judges. As long as they have good contestants, people will watch.
Well, people will continue to watch if there are good contestants, but if the new judging panel is lacking in the first place it could keep people from bothering to see if there are any good contestants in the first place. I know several people who stopped watching because of the additions of Ellen and Kara and loss of Paula and others who have said they won’t watch without Simon. I’ve been waiting to see what they would do before I decide whether to tune in next season; while I’m glad they have chosen to revamp (although it’s not a true revamp so long as Randy “Yo Dawg” Jackson is still a seat filler there) I’m not so sure I can see JLo and possibly Steven Tyler as is rumored being the best options. Maybe just cause I’m not a fan of either to begin with. What happened to Harry Connick Jr., Chris Isaak, Shania Twain, et al? I’d say David Foster or even a former contestant who has had some success post-Idol would be much better additions and would make more sense. Probably would have more people interested in tuning in in the first place to see if there are any good contestants next season than JLo or Steven Tyler may interest.
Who do you think pick the contestants? Without good judges, you will have bad contestants and low ratings. And the judges have to be good on camera also.
What makes me laugh is when people say oh well thats why Idol’s ratings went down last season. Yes Idol’s ratings were down last season, but thats because ALL of TV watching was down last season. Idol had a smaller % decline then the rest of the shows on tv and STILL managed to be the #1 show on TV.
@Pop Culture – Thank you for bringing up that article and facts about the ratings. I saw it, meant to quote it, but forgot. Need to say also that the tour didn’t do well, not just because the Top 10 wasn’t the hottest, but because of the poor economy. Parents just didn’t have the disposable income to take their tweens to the concerts.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! It baffles me how strong some people’s opinions are on the most insignificant things. Get a hobby! (FYI – I just happened to scroll down and saw your comment. I certainly don’t scroll through searching for valid opinions)
Wowwww, you think OTHER people need to get a hobby????? Whoa!!!!! Talk about a lack of self-awareness.
i think they should make up their mind to either mentors or judges the mentors tell them how they think they should do the song and then the judges tear them apart for doing itthat way
MMMM, if she is trash, but yet people pay to see her in movies and listen to her music, what does that make you?
Have you been living under a rock!!!??? Her music label DROPPED her cause her last albums TANKED!! Her movie was a box-office FLOP!!
You’re probably just one of J-Lo’s employees or something.
She’s trash? I’m sure that she’s crying about your comment as she drinks daquiries in her villa.
You don’t have to like the choice or her but you don’t need to be such an a-hole.
Movieman, you’re ignorant trash! She has a long musical background, she started on TV, been in movies and she’s a take-no-crap Nuyorican! She’s exactly what the show needs.
agree-can’t stand her
It’s really sad to know that J-Lo’s career is in the toilet. Why else would she be trying to be on a reality show?!?
Um a reality show? We’re talking about the #1 show on TV for the past 9 years. Its not a reality show, its a ratings juggernut.
JLo is not funny
she is only funny if it is scripted lines that are memorized and practiced for a few weeks
Just say NO to to J LO
She might not actually be that bad. Watch her talk with the Season 6 contestants: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zG8rOKDSfs&feature=PlayList&p=DAF48949067EAF71&playnext=1&index=11
Her career is over? Do you have ANY idea how much money she makes, or what her international popularity is? She’s still making movies, she has her own perfume lines, she has her own clothing line, she can sing, etc… If my career were over, I wish I could bring in the bank that she does!
J-Lo is beautiful, funny, likeable, and I think she just might ressurrect a dying show.
All of these are good, Jennifer Lopez would be a good choice (until proven so) and she seems pretty real to me and she has a long musical background. Lets not forget that Sharon Osbourne was a judge on Britain’s X Factor and now the show is huge there.
Sharon is more sincere and shes naturally funny
JLo is not naturally funny and she is NOT sincere
Not sure if want.
not sure if want? what the h— does that mean? That you don’t speak English?
That’s texting talk.
Heaven help us.
Not really interested in her as a judge even based on Season 6 where I did like that she pulled Blake in to try helping another contestant find the beat. Melinda didn’t need any help on Sway – she was naturally brilliant.
She is certainly a better fit for Paula’s spot than Ellen, however.
He’s a self-important arrogant ass
*meant for the dump Randy post…
Can we lose Randy now?
I second the motion.
Third xxx
Randy rocks! Don’t hate. He’s a fun guy.
If by fun you mean stupid, then yeah I guess………….
Let’s see, Randy is on TV making millions while you are sitting at home…uh posting on a blog. Randy produces music for some of the hottest artists and you, watch TV. Wait, may its not Randy that is stupid after all!
Randy is indeed a loser, a very rich loser, but a loser nonetheless. He’s a complete waste of space on that show. He raely gives constructive criticism and his vocabulary is limited to using words such as “yo” and calling everybody, including the girls, “dawg.” I’m sorry, he needs to go. We’ve all seen his act.
Yes! And limit the text voting to 1 – 5 votes per phone number…
lets leave it at 1 vote per number
Agree! Text voting is the major thing wrong with Idol. Take the phones away from the tweens or limit calls from each phone.
Exactly! I vote by phone and since I know that other people vote over and over for their favorites and I feel like I have to do the same to keep mine in the running. Repeated phone voting is not fun.
A million-billion percent I agree!!
Text voting is what robbed Adam Lambert of his rightful title of American Idol winner in season 8! However, it didn’t really matter because he has far exceeded Kris Allen as a super star!
LOL….Dear gawd Jeanne, that was two freaking years ago. It’s not YOUR career. Adam is doing fine. Kris is doing fine. Everyone is doing fine, except YOU. It’s time to get help now because you’re going all bitter over a career that — once again — ISN’T YOURS. I realize voting gives the on-the-edge-of -sanity fans some insane delusion that they actually have some say in an artist’s career, but really, you don’t. Adam hasn’t called you for career advice because he doesn’t know that you exist. If the phone doesn’t ring, it’s Adam. And all your good thoughts and moonbeams and unicorns will not change that.
Is that you Kris’ mom?????
I agree. No text voting.
i agree to 1-5 votes and yes dump the dog randy
If they limited the text voting, they can’t brag about how many votes came in. Everyone is given the opportunity to vote as many times as they want. It is obvious that that many fans complain because their favorite didn’t win that it is due to the voting. @Jeanne, did you ever think that Adam still might of lost even if votes were limited. Two years later and people still gripe about it. It is a reality show, not a matter of life or death.
Some people cannot let go. Kris won
legitimately. Both, Kris and Adam are doing well, each in their own way. And they are friends and have performed together.
yes please! he just doesn’t do it for me, dawg
She needs to critique the contestants honestly and fairly and not try to make the show about her. One of the biggest problems with AI is the judges always trying to outdo each other and put the spotlight on the judges table. The show should be about the contestants and not drama kings and queens at the judges table.
Agreed. If they reformat the show to put the spotlight back on the contestants, I might start watching again.
@Susan and @disgruntled:
My, my, you’re both on subject!! Heaven forbid! (Of course I’m being sarcastic.)
I totally agree with both of you. While enjoying AGT the other night, I noticed how the three judges were critical & charming, quick & quirky, witty & wise, without overdoing it. Was trying to figure out the difference when it occurred to me that Nick Cannon (who would have guessed) is giving AGT something that Seacrest is not for AI. Just a thought…
Couldn’t agree more… Nick is perfect as a host. He’s always tasteful, funny, and never over the top. I like how he sticks up for the contestants, but always keeps his banter with the judges light and funny. Like calling Piers “the ogre”. Never any creepy moments like the staring match between Ryan and Simon last season. If AI really wants to shake up the show and make it better, they will listen to their fans and get rid of Seacrest. He was straight-up annoying last season.
She was not a great choice. Plus, I guess now it is safe to say her career is over.
She may not be the perfect choice, but she has to be better than Ellen.
What happened to Harry Connick Jr? He was great as a mentor. I don’t see me tuning in this year, but I’d have been tempted if he’d been chosen.
I know. I love Harry.
I agree, I thought Harry Connick Jr was one of the funniest, funnest, most helpful and honest mentors, and everyone loved him. He’d bring LIFE to the judging panel!
I don’t get where all this J.Lo hate is coming from. Especially looking back at Ellen’s hiring, which I REALLY didn’t get even though I love her. In one way you can argue that J.Lo had a career similar to that of Paula’s, though possibly bigger (I did hear that Paula sold 60 million albums back in the day, which still surprises me). I’m more frustrated over the idea that the tired Randy Jackson will stay put, I guess just to have some sort of continuing presence on the show. But Randy’s no Joy Behar!
The only reason that Randy is staying is because he signed a multi-year contract. In order for them to get rid of him they’d have to buy out his contract. Kara had signed a new contract for each year she was on the show and never negotiated a contract that kept her on for more than one season. They opted not to offer her a contract for the upcoming season. Although Ellen had a multi-year contract with the show, she decided to leave of her own accord.
Paula didnt sell 60 million albums. Considering Forever Your Girl only sold 10 million worldwide and that was BY FAR her biggest of three studio albums – there is no way she has sold 60 mill. She only has 3 studio albums and 2 compilation albums. I would guestimate Paula sold at most 20 million and that is being very generous. Jennifer Lopez has sold over 25 million and has been a very sucessful film actress. Not disagreeing with anything you’ve said, just co-signing your point.
JLo was always called the new school version of Paula Abdul since their music careers are similar. JLo just never danced with a cartoon cat. But aside from that, I agree with you both.
(@ tictaurus) The sad thing (musically) is popular dance music is a producer’s medium. Singing or lack there of is secondary. She’s more notorious for her derriere than her mediocre singing.
@AnthonyCW–that’s actually a great idea–get Joy Behar, Joan Rivers, and Bette Midler in to judge…I’ve never watched AI before, but this would guarantee that I’d start!!
Bette Midler would be great, the other to have NO experience in the music industry at all…and in my humble opinion, are not worth watching on there own shows, let alone AI!
You know, she’s pretty much just like Paula except the obvious drug addiction. I don’t see why everyone is so annoyed. Paula’s career was over too.
Right on. I’ll never understand the Paula love. I think their careers are pretty comparable. Started out as a dancer, moved on to singing career despite mediocre voice. J-Lo did have the movie thing though. Cuz, ya know, she’s a “package artist.” I always fastforwarded through Paula’s nonsense, but I think J-Lo might be able to give it to them straight.
I’m so happy that Ellen is out, and would love to see J-Lo as a judge. This is someone who has paid her dues and knows what it feels like to navigate through auditions (music and acting). She understands production, staging, choreography AND singing, so she brings credibility to the panel that was severely lacking with Ellen. I hope this story proves true, and I hope they ditch Kara, too and bring on another recording artist/producer to the panel.
Terrible choice. She is everything that’s wrong with music. No voice, no range, no originality in her own music, constructed in a studio. . . do I need to go on? They needed to find someone who is truly a heavy hitter in the business, relevant and a legit authority.
Kenny Edmonds
Simon and Randy can’t sing either. Just because Jennifer can’t sing like Aguilera, doesn’t mean she doesn’t know about the industry and about how to sing in the proper pitch. At the end of the day, this show is really about finding a talent who can also be a viable, marketable mainstream artist. Most of the “winners” of this show would kill for Jennifer’s career.
Ummmmm, so if she knows how to sing in the proper pitch, why doesn’t she?????????
if being an Idol judge means your career is over, then lets get Justin Beiber and lady Gaga as judges
I don’t care who sits with J-Lo and Steven Tyler as long as it’s not Randy Jackson. HE HAS GOT TO GO, DAWG.
Why not have a different guest judge every week? Perhaps the same person who is the mentor.
Hear that sound? It is the death knell for AMERICAN IDOL. First Paula, then Simon, now Ellen. And they want to add “Jenny From The Block??!” HAHAHAHAHA. This show is going down like Adam Lambert on a c**k.
YOu should change your name from Pslightly Psycho to Highly Homophobic.
LMFAO… You hit the nail on the head.
That is a disgusting comment about Adam! He is a true super star and the best thing ever to come out of American Idol!
@Jeanne – Why is the comment disgusting? And what does it have to do w/him being a (so-called) “superstar”? He IS gay, you know…
Her career is tanking so Idol is a desperate move. She can’t sing and appears to know little about music. Plus her reputation for being difficult to say the least is well-known in the business. I was shocked when Jessica Simpson was mentioned but this is really no better.
Tyler is a good musical choice but not sure if personality/temperament-wise he’s a good fit. At the very least I’m hoping he puts J Lo in her place! As a longtime Idol fan, I have to say I think the show is over. Lythgoe took the art of dance and turned it into a popularity contest so I don’t expect Idol to regain any credibility with this new lineup.
Stella…I couldn’t have said any better. “It’s over johnny … OVER!”
Stop with all the “American Idol is over” nonsense. It is still by far the highest rated show on TV. Once they find some Beiber wannabees with the age change, they will have their prime demo. Oh yeah, and all of you that say you won’t watch it… WILL WATCH IT!
Shnicky……..American Idol is over. I know you don’t want to believe it, (it’s like when you’re parents tell you they’re divorcing) but it’s true. It’s not your fault Shnicky, American Idol still loves you, but it is indeed OVER. Now how about we go and get some ice cream okay????????
What is your definition of over? Wanna bet some money that it remains the highest rated show on TV (especially with the changes)? It may be “maturing” and not get the huge audience it once had, but it will ALWAYS be a viable show that enough people will tune into watch… and it sure beats any other reality TV crap that out there!
Its over Shnicky.