It befuddles me how long it’s taken to score up a couple of new judges for American Idol. Sure the show is a tired, odious and overdone bore; but it’s still a ratings and cash machine, for Fox and anyone else on the show. No doubt Simon Cowell is probably a couple of dollars away from being able to buy Fox itself if he wanted thanks to this program. And Paula Abdul must have surely been on her knees thanking God every night since 2002 that she didn’t have to sweat her Head Over Heels royalties to fund her retirement.
The back and forth, on-again, off-again, courting, rumor, innuendo, blah blah blah has finally ended as J.Lo and Steven Tyler have finally been confirmed as the new judges for the upcoming season of the show. From Fox:
Golden
Globe-nominated actress, platinum-selling recording artist, movie
producer and entrepreneur Jennifer Lopez and multiple Grammy
Award-winning singer and songwriter, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
inductee Steven Tyler, the frontman of Aerosmith – the best-selling
American rock band of all time – have joined AMERICAN IDOL as judges.
Lopez and Tyler will join returning IDOL judge Randy Jackson for the
10th anniversary season, which premieres January 2011 on FOX.
In addition, Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M
Records, co-founder of Beats Audio and one of the world’s most
successful and prolific music producers, will join AMERICAN IDOL as an
in-house mentor. Throughout the season, IDOL will go behind-the-scenes
to feature Iovine working with and lending his expertise to the
contestants as they compete to become the next American Idol. As part
of Universal Music Group’s long-term alliance with AMERICAN IDOL,
Interscope Geffen A&M will market, promote and distribute albums
globally from AMERICAN IDOL finalists and winning contestants across a
broad array of retail and new media platforms.
“For nine years I’ve enjoyed watching artists compete to get a
meaningful chance to achieve their dreams,” said Lopez. “I know from my
own experience how hard it is to succeed, and I’m looking forward to
discovering and nurturing that spirit in the many AMERICAN IDOL
contestants I look forward to meeting this year.”
“I’ve been on tour for most of my life in a band with four guys who
judge me every day. Sometimes it hurt, but it only made me stronger,”
said Tyler. “I want to give everybody a little love before I decide who
goes home heartbroken. If you don’t like what I say, don’t get mad, get
better. I’m ready to bring some rock to this ‘roller’ coaster and show
these kids if they have the dream, the talent and the drive, they will
be the next American Idol.”
“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years of the greatest show in the world,”
said Jackson. “I am looking forward to this next season; we are going
to knock it out of the park. Season 10 is going to be hot!”
“We are all thrilled to have Interscope Geffen A&M now be the
distributor for AMERICAN IDOL’s music,” said Iovine. “I’m looking
forward to working as a mentor on the show, where I’ll work with the
talent to help them develop and grow week to week. This will also give
the audience a deeper look into the artists’ abilities and give viewers
more insight when making their choices.”
“Our 10th season begins with a completely invigorated panel of judges
with Jennifer and Steven joining Randy. This is combined with the
world’s most successful and brilliant music executive, Jimmy Iovine,
becoming the contestants’ special mentor,” explains series creator and
executive producer Simon Fuller. “AMERICAN IDOL in 2011 promises plenty
of surprises and positive changes, and we look forward to continuing to
innovate and lead the way for others to follow.”
“It’s exciting to have such a diverse cast of industry professionals,
each with distinctive passions for music, lead the charge in
discovering the next American Idol,” said executive producer Cecile
Frot-Coutaz. “From dancing sensation to pop, film and fashion
superstar, Jennifer has experienced a career that exemplifies the
American dream, and Steven is a rock icon whose performances,
accomplished songwriting and personal style are as relevant today as
ever. Together they join Randy Jackson, whose beloved IDOL persona has
been synonymous with the show since day one, alongside our in-house
mentor, Jimmy Iovine, who as chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M
Records will share with our contestants his expertise in shaping the
careers of some of the most successful recording artists of all time.”
“Jennifer and Steven have made the journey from aspiring unknowns to
global superstars, which makes both of them uniquely qualified to help
discover the next American Idol,” said Peter Rice, Chairman of
Entertainment, Fox Networks Group. “From Jennifer’s early career in
dance to selling over 55 million records worldwide – along with
television, films, fashion projects and a range of business enterprises
– she is a self-made superstar who will bring an incredible range of
experience to benefit the aspiring talent who could only dream of
following in her footsteps. Additionally, Steven has earned his status
as a rock legend and an American icon, both while fronting for the
best-selling American rock band of all time and through his incredible
personal journey over the last four decades. With Jimmy behind the
scenes and Jennifer, Steven and Randy at the table, these young
contestants are going to benefit from experiences beyond their wildest
dreams.”
“Jennifer was a terrific mentor on IDOL – one of the best we’ve ever
had – and we’ve always dreamed that she would take a seat at the
judges’ table,” said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative
Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “America is going to love her
on this show because she’s impossibly glamorous, yet totally relatable,
and she understands what these contestants will be going through as
they pursue their dreams. Steven Tyler is, hands down, one of the most
successful rock artists in history, and he is the epitome of what
rock-and-roll is all about: bold, outrageous, creative and passionate.
With an unprecedented career and innate knowledge of the music
industry, Steven will definitely add a unique edge to the new judges’
panel next to Randy, who understands every aspect of developing talent
and performing.” He added, “Jimmy Iovine is the most impressive mentor
we could have ever wished for on the series. In his role at Interscope
Geffen A&M, Jimmy would be developing these young artists anyway,
so now we’ll get an even deeper look at how someone is transformed into
a star.” Don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for those inevitable Final 10 musical commercials for Ford set to Jenny From the Block and Coca-Cola to the tune of Dude Looks Like a Lady.
Globe-nominated actress, platinum-selling recording artist, movie
producer and entrepreneur Jennifer Lopez and multiple Grammy
Award-winning singer and songwriter, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
inductee Steven Tyler, the frontman of Aerosmith – the best-selling
American rock band of all time – have joined AMERICAN IDOL as judges.
Lopez and Tyler will join returning IDOL judge Randy Jackson for the
10th anniversary season, which premieres January 2011 on FOX.
In addition, Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M
Records, co-founder of Beats Audio and one of the world’s most
successful and prolific music producers, will join AMERICAN IDOL as an
in-house mentor. Throughout the season, IDOL will go behind-the-scenes
to feature Iovine working with and lending his expertise to the
contestants as they compete to become the next American Idol. As part
of Universal Music Group’s long-term alliance with AMERICAN IDOL,
Interscope Geffen A&M will market, promote and distribute albums
globally from AMERICAN IDOL finalists and winning contestants across a
broad array of retail and new media platforms.
“For nine years I’ve enjoyed watching artists compete to get a
meaningful chance to achieve their dreams,” said Lopez. “I know from my
own experience how hard it is to succeed, and I’m looking forward to
discovering and nurturing that spirit in the many AMERICAN IDOL
contestants I look forward to meeting this year.”
“I’ve been on tour for most of my life in a band with four guys who
judge me every day. Sometimes it hurt, but it only made me stronger,”
said Tyler. “I want to give everybody a little love before I decide who
goes home heartbroken. If you don’t like what I say, don’t get mad, get
better. I’m ready to bring some rock to this ‘roller’ coaster and show
these kids if they have the dream, the talent and the drive, they will
be the next American Idol.”
“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years of the greatest show in the world,”
said Jackson. “I am looking forward to this next season; we are going
to knock it out of the park. Season 10 is going to be hot!”
“We are all thrilled to have Interscope Geffen A&M now be the
distributor for AMERICAN IDOL’s music,” said Iovine. “I’m looking
forward to working as a mentor on the show, where I’ll work with the
talent to help them develop and grow week to week. This will also give
the audience a deeper look into the artists’ abilities and give viewers
more insight when making their choices.”
“Our 10th season begins with a completely invigorated panel of judges
with Jennifer and Steven joining Randy. This is combined with the
world’s most successful and brilliant music executive, Jimmy Iovine,
becoming the contestants’ special mentor,” explains series creator and
executive producer Simon Fuller. “AMERICAN IDOL in 2011 promises plenty
of surprises and positive changes, and we look forward to continuing to
innovate and lead the way for others to follow.”
“It’s exciting to have such a diverse cast of industry professionals,
each with distinctive passions for music, lead the charge in
discovering the next American Idol,” said executive producer Cecile
Frot-Coutaz. “From dancing sensation to pop, film and fashion
superstar, Jennifer has experienced a career that exemplifies the
American dream, and Steven is a rock icon whose performances,
accomplished songwriting and personal style are as relevant today as
ever. Together they join Randy Jackson, whose beloved IDOL persona has
been synonymous with the show since day one, alongside our in-house
mentor, Jimmy Iovine, who as chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M
Records will share with our contestants his expertise in shaping the
careers of some of the most successful recording artists of all time.”
“Jennifer and Steven have made the journey from aspiring unknowns to
global superstars, which makes both of them uniquely qualified to help
discover the next American Idol,” said Peter Rice, Chairman of
Entertainment, Fox Networks Group. “From Jennifer’s early career in
dance to selling over 55 million records worldwide – along with
television, films, fashion projects and a range of business enterprises
– she is a self-made superstar who will bring an incredible range of
experience to benefit the aspiring talent who could only dream of
following in her footsteps. Additionally, Steven has earned his status
as a rock legend and an American icon, both while fronting for the
best-selling American rock band of all time and through his incredible
personal journey over the last four decades. With Jimmy behind the
scenes and Jennifer, Steven and Randy at the table, these young
contestants are going to benefit from experiences beyond their wildest
dreams.”
“Jennifer was a terrific mentor on IDOL – one of the best we’ve ever
had – and we’ve always dreamed that she would take a seat at the
judges’ table,” said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative
Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “America is going to love her
on this show because she’s impossibly glamorous, yet totally relatable,
and she understands what these contestants will be going through as
they pursue their dreams. Steven Tyler is, hands down, one of the most
successful rock artists in history, and he is the epitome of what
rock-and-roll is all about: bold, outrageous, creative and passionate.
With an unprecedented career and innate knowledge of the music
industry, Steven will definitely add a unique edge to the new judges’
panel next to Randy, who understands every aspect of developing talent
and performing.” He added, “Jimmy Iovine is the most impressive mentor
we could have ever wished for on the series. In his role at Interscope
Geffen A&M, Jimmy would be developing these young artists anyway,
so now we’ll get an even deeper look at how someone is transformed into
a star.” Don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for those inevitable Final 10 musical commercials for Ford set to Jenny From the Block and Coca-Cola to the tune of Dude Looks Like a Lady.