MTV News |
- 'American Idol' Preview: Matt Giraud, Experts Look Ahead
- Watch Lil Wayne In The Studio, Laughing While He Works
- Simon Cowell Leaving 'American Idol'
- Lloyd Banks Expected To Be Released Tuesday, Lawyer Says
- Justin Bieber, Cory Monteith And Chace Crawford: Three Guys To Watch In 2010
- Nick Jonas Says Having A Sister-In-Law Is 'Amazing'
- 'American Idol' Off-Season In 60 Seconds: A Revolving Door Of Judges And Controversy
- Will Simon Cowell's Exit Help 'American Idol'? Experts Weigh In
- Is Paula Abdul Joining Simon Cowell's 'X Factor'?
- Simon Cowell's Exit Has 'American Idol' Fans Worried
| 'American Idol' Preview: Matt Giraud, Experts Look Ahead Posted: 12 Jan 2010 03:50 AM PST With Ellen DeGeneres on board and Simon Cowell on his way out, we take a look at what we can expect.
For the past couple of years, the producers of "American Idol" have gone out of their way to promise that this season they're going to focus on the drama onstage, not behind the judge's table. But, just like last year, when songwriter Kara DioGuardi joined the panel, the buzz on the eve of the show's ninth season is squarely on the judges. In particular, the focus is fully on Simon Cowell, who shocked fans on Monday when he announced that the upcoming season will be his last.
Cowell made the announcement on Monday, 24 hours before season nine was slated to kick off and it immediately shifted the focus to the acerbic Brit whose commentary has been the center of the show since day one. And while Cowell grabbed headlines, there are plenty of other judge-related subplots that will also vie for attention, including ones centered on Randy Jackson (how will he fare without fellow lifer Paula Abdul, Kara (can she make fans love her after a rocky first season?) and this year's new face, talk-show veteran Ellen DeGeneres. "When I first started on 'American Idol' they said, 'Don't go on the Internet and read people's comments,' but I did anyway and the comments from people who were really excited after seeing the first set of commercials were all about the judges — 'I can't wait to see Simon and Paula,' " said Matt Giraud, last season's fifth-place finisher who, like others we talked to, discussed the upcoming season before the news about Cowell broke. "People do tune in for the judges too. They make the show. If it was just singing and people voting, it wouldn't have half as many viewers." The first rounds of auditions will feature a rotating cast of celebrity judges filling in until DeGeneres suits up for the Hollywood rounds, which are scheduled to start airing on February 9. In the first of what promises to be a number of twists this season, the Hollywood rounds were pushed back several months and coincide with the rollout of the auditions shows, which has resulted in much less leaking of early contenders' names. Entertainment Weekly "Idol" expert Michael Slezak said it's hard to know how the chemistry between the judges will effect the season until the contestants are on stage getting feedback, but he thinks DioGuardi's tale is a cautionary one. "On some level, the producers must have thought Kara would be a good addition and we all saw how that worked out," he said. "It will be interesting to see how Ellen fits in, but the bar is set fairly low in terms of providing good, solid, coherent feedback, because Randy and Kara are not exactly doing that now." Slezak said there's an opening for DeGeneres to really connect with fans and fill a void that's been there since season one. "We've all gotten used to how easy it is to fast-forward through most of the judges' comments until we get to Simon," he said. "And that's not good for the long-term health of the show because it doesn't make it more entertaining. But if Ellen is good and sharp and if she's honest and tough — she doesn't have to be cruel — there's a potential for the show to be more enjoyable." And while the pre-season buzz always focuses on the judges, the talk always eventually shifts to the contestants, just as it did last year with the battle between Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert and dark-horse winner Kris Allen. "Ultimately, for the show to be successful, it has to be about the contestants," he said. "What separates 'Idol' from other shows is that the winners actually go on to do something." The other story line is whether "Idol," which has been the #1 show in prime time for five years running, can continue its winning ways and keep being at the center of the pop-culture conversation. A good sign, Slezak said, is that season eight was probably the buzziest in years thanks to the speculation about Lambert's sexuality, Gokey's compelling backstory and Allen's surprise, come-from-behind win. It hasn't hurt matters that rather than die out in July after the show has run its course, the buzz on "Idol" has continued almost unabated thanks to Lambert's high visibility and his talked-about American Music Awards performance. Even with the top-36 format jettisoned in favor of the more familiar top 24 finalists and more talk about focusing on the backstories of the contestants, MJ Santilli, Webmaster of the leading "Idol" blog, said she's still thinking about Abdul. "I got a bit fed up with Paula when she was jousting with Fox [over her contract], but I'm probably going to miss her when the show starts," she said. "I will miss her brother-sister relationship with Simon, but I think Ellen could turn out to be a really smart move and she could have really good things to say." Most importantly, MJ speculated, she will likely not be afraid to mix it up with Cowell and challenge him in a way that Kara and Randy do not. "She could cut him down in a second and won't hesitate to do that, which could be interesting to watch." With rumors out of Hollywood that this year's crop of female contestants is very strong, MJ said she's expecting a girl to win after an unprecedented two-year run by the boys. "It will be interesting to see if they go for the jokes again this year because there was so much cannon fodder last year with Tatiana, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Watch Lil Wayne In The Studio, Laughing While He Works Posted: 12 Jan 2010 03:50 AM PST 'Wayne is my favorite rapper of the new age,' Noreaga tells Mixtape Daily.
The Unveiling Part 2: Lil Wayne's 'The Nino Brown Story, Pt. 2' DVD Lil Wayne is always so focused and serious about his work in the vocal booth — it's amazing to watch, if you are ever lucky enough to be able to witness him putting the tracks together. It's not the stern face you get — Wayne smiles and laughs, because he's enjoying himself and he loves what he does.
"Hold on, man, hold on, man," Wayne says to his engineer after cracking up in a Miami studio. It's 7 a.m. and while most everyone is asleep, Wayne is in the booth composing lines as the beat plays. His goal is to rap 60 bars straight — no hook — over N.O.R.E.'s classic Swizz Beatz-produced track for "Banned From TV," for last year's No Ceilings mixtape. While in the booth, a line that came into his head is bold and crass and causes Weezy to chuckle. "I'm a beast, I'm a pit bull, I get my ass kissed." In this exclusive clip from DJ Scoob Doo's "The Nino Brown Story, Pt. 2," you see Wayne putting the rhymes together. Even though he has fun, he also makes sure that the rap is perfect before he leaves. "Wayne is my favorite rapper of the new age," Noreaga told us Monday. "Although in rap years, he's just as old as me. But that's my favorite rapper for the new age. For him to not only do the joint, but it appear on Mixtape Daily video ... that's an honor. My kids love Lil Wayne. Do 'Super Thug' next, Wayne — keep my legacy alive. ... I'm trying to do Special Ed's 'I Got It Made' and a few other classics over. It's only to give respect to the people. If Wayne is a real MC like I know he is, he was doing it to show love and respect to the joint and what it meant to him. I'm speechless." "That dude is the epitome of workaholic," Scoob Doo said about Wayne. "He doesn't even sit down in the studio. He could be in the studio for nine hours and he's not even sitting down. Everybody is nodding off, sleeping on the couch 'cause it's a $3 million studio, and he decides not to sit down. That gives you an idea where his mental is at." "The Nino Brown Story, Pt. 2" is in stores on January 22, but you can purchase it now on DJ Scoob Doo's Web site. (No Don't Sleep this week, but we have a flood of Mixtape Daily segments coming soon. Special shout-out to DJ Whiteowl for dropping his 100th and 101st mixtapes.) Other Heat This Week » DJ Whiteowl - Whiteowl Drop That 100 and 101 For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. Related Videos |
| Simon Cowell Leaving 'American Idol' Posted: 11 Jan 2010 01:13 AM PST Cowell will make his exit after season nine to judge and executive-produce a U.S. version of 'The X Factor.'
After months of rumors and speculation, it was confirmed Monday (January 11) that Simon Cowell will leave the judges' panel of "American Idol," America's most popular TV show, to launch the American version of his other talent show, "The X Factor." In a press release, Fox announced that "The X Factor" will launch in the U.S. in fall 2011 with Cowell, creator of the show he launched in the U.K. in 2004, serving as both executive producer and a judge on the U.S. version. Cowell announced his "Idol" departure at the Television Critics Association Press Tour, according to Entertainment Weekly. "We did talk about me staying on both shows but when we looked at the practicalities of that, it was impossible," Cowell told the press. "In my opinion, it's like having a good player and a good football team. The two have to be OK together. I believe it's not my show, but it's still very close to me. We made sure when we did this, that I would be protected. I'm confident it will continue to be the #1 show. Everyone is committed to keeping it that way."
Cowell followed the announcement a short time later by tweeting "I have had the best 8 or 9 years of my life doing this show." "The X Factor," which is currently shown in 17 countries worldwide, is a singing competition in which contestants square off against each other with the help of professional mentors. Cowell has been eager to bring the show to the U.S., and he will continue to both executive produce and judge the U.K. version after the American one launches. "I'm thrilled that we have put a date on the launch of the U.S. version of 'The X Factor' and delighted to be continuing to work with FOX," Cowell said in a statement. "We have a fantastic relationship, a great team and are all very excited about this." Fox has not announced who might replace Cowell on the judges' panel when he leaves the show, and a spokesperson could not be reached for comment at press time. The acerbic British music executive — who has helped launch the careers of Leona Lewis and Susan Boyle, among others — is considered the most influential voice on the "Idol" panel, and his quip-filled put-downs and comments have provided countless water-cooler moments over the show's eight seasons. The ninth season of "Idol" kicks off Tuesday at 8 p.m., and in their first joint interview, Cowell and new judge Ellen DeGeneres joked about his possible departure, with DeGeneres, who signed a five-year contract with the show, saying, "If Simon goes, I go! I will not be there without Simon." It was unclear from the interview if DeGeneres was being playful or serious about her feelings about Cowell's potential exit. Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Lloyd Banks Expected To Be Released Tuesday, Lawyer Says Posted: 11 Jan 2010 06:37 AM PST G-Unit rapper was arrested in Canada over the weekend on assault and robbery charges.
Lloyd Banks' lawyer said the rapper should be headed home to America on Tuesday. Since Saturday morning, Banks has been held in a Kitchener, Ontario, jail on assault and robbery charges after an incident involving a local promoter Friday night. Authorities say Banks and three others assaulted the promoter after the G-Unit member performed at Club NV in nearby Brantford late Friday night. There will be a bail hearing Tuesday; bail is $50,000 for Banks and $25,000 for the other men involved. "There has been an agreement between the prosecution and defense for his release and the release for each of the individuals," Patrick Ducharme, Banks' legal counsel in Canada, told MTV News on Monday (January 11). "I expect for him to be released tomorrow morning. It's just a question of posting some bail, which I'm going to do. I'm going up there tonight with the money, and they'll be released sometime tomorrow morning." On Monday, audio was posted online of a man purported to be the victim, Chris Hines, talking about the incident. "We got into a confrontation, and of course, they assaulted me, they kept me there for a little while, assaulted me for a few minutes, like 20 minutes, 30 minutes," he told the interviewer. "They had me there for quite some time." When contacted by MTV News, Hines declined to comment or to confirm that the audio was him, although Ducharme confirmed the victim's name. Banks' dealings with the court are far from over. Ducharme said he expects to enter a not-guilty plea on Banks' behalf in three to four weeks, with a trial in the future. "The case probably will proceed on the basis that it will be put over for three to four weeks for me to receive what is called the 'prosecutors disclosure.' That's all the information that supposedly supports the charges. Then three to four weeks after I've had the chance to review that disclosure, I would be prepared to set the date for the trial or preliminary hearing, depending on some procedural matters. The case will proceed trough the courts. If it stays in the lower courts, it takes about a year and a few months to resolve. If it goes to the higher courts, it could be as along as a year and a half to bring the matter to court." At the time of our interview, Ducharme said he still had not met Banks face to face but described the G-Unit rapper as being in good spirits. "He's just fine," the attorney said. "I have not met him personally. I've talked to him on the phone. He seems like he's a very respectful, sensitive, thoughtful, intelligent man." Banks — whose real name is Christopher Lloyd — was arrested over the weekend shortly after a show late Friday night. Police told MTV News that Hines, a show promoter/ booking agent, alleged that Banks, Nicklas Sloane, Shawn McGee and Tyrell Cooper held him in his hotel room against his will, assaulted and robbed him. All four men were arrested at the hotel in Kitchener while the promoter was taken to the hospital with unspecified, non-life-threatening injuries. Related Artists |
| Justin Bieber, Cory Monteith And Chace Crawford: Three Guys To Watch In 2010 Posted: 12 Jan 2010 03:50 AM PST As Pop Week continues, we take a closer look at the dudes who will be on your radar this year.
We already told you about the ladies to watch in 2010, but there are a few dudes you should keep your eye on as well. Whether it's in TV, movies or music (or all three), these guys are ready to make some noise. Cory Monteith Hails From: Calgary, Alberta In 2009: The high school dropout ironically found fame and glory on "Glee," a show about high school. He plays Finn Hudson, the show's hunky football player-turned-glee clubber.
Why He'll Be Huge in 2010: "Glee" returns in April and was just picked up for a second season, which means Monteith will be beaming into your living rooms for a while longer as TV's resident song-and-dance man. Choice Quote: "I never sang before," he said of his experience before joining the musical TV show. "When I would go out with my friends for karaoke, I'd never sing anything." Chace Crawford Hails From: Plano, Texas In 2009: Crawford continued his TV reign as the adorable Nate Archibald on "Gossip Girl." He also made headlines when he was cast in "Footloose," replacing fellow heartthrob Zac Efron in the role. Why He'll Be Huge in 2010: "Gossip Girl" is set to return in March, and the TV stud is about to get edgy alongside 50 Cent in the Joel Schumacher flick "Twelve," in which he'll play an NYC drug dealer to the city's wealthiest kids. He's also looking to be this generation's Kevin Bacon as he dances his way onto the big screen in "Footloose," set to begin filming this year. Choice Quote: "I'm a clean, sober drug dealer," he said about his role in "Twelve." "It was different. It really turned out well, and it was great working with 50." Justin Bieber Hails From: Stratford, Ontario In 2009: He had every teen girl swooning and Usher and Justin Timberlake in a bidding war, not to mention he gave the Jonas Brothers a run for their money with his songs "One Time" and "One Less Lonely Girl" from My World (Part I). Why He'll Be Huge in 2010: In March, he's set to release the follow-up to his platinum-selling debut, the aptly titled My World (Part II), and hitting the road for his very own headlining tour. Plus, he will host Pop Con, the pop world's very first convention, in February with Selena Gomez. Choice Quote: "My fans, I wouldn't be in this position without them," he said about his very devoted fanbase of screaming girls. "They're the ones I do this all for. It's Pop Week here at MTV News, and that means we're introducing you to or catching up with everyone who's going to make a splash in pop music and culture over the next 12 months. Whether they're just arriving on the scene or are already well established, these are the people we expect big things from in 2010. Stay tuned all week for more! Related Videos Related Photos |
| Nick Jonas Says Having A Sister-In-Law Is 'Amazing' Posted: 12 Jan 2010 03:50 AM PST 'I'm so happy to have her [be] a part of our family,' he says of brother Kevin's wife Danielle.
Last month the Jonas clan added a new lady to the family when older brother Kevin married his longtime love Danielle Deleasa at the Oheka Castle in New York's Long Island. Nick said that with four boys in the bunch he was bracing himself for a female to come along sooner or later. "I think I knew eventually it would happen," he joked when he checked in with MTV News at the Beacon Theater while on tour with the Administration on Friday. "There's three of us — well there's four including Frankie — I knew it would happen eventually. And so it's good to know it all came together."
Deleasa was actually in the crowd at the show, where both Kevin and Joe surprised their little brother onstage, and he thinks it's great that his sister-in-law is coming out to the shows to support her new little brother. "It's amazing," he said. "She's here ... with her whole family and they're great. I'm so happy to have her [be] a part of our family. It's kind of hard to believe I've got a sister-in-law and it's wonderful." Since all the boys in the Jonas clan have special nicknames (Kevin is "K2," Joe is "Danger," Nick is "Mr. President" and Frankie is "Bonus Jonas"), have they thought up a special moniker for the new lady Jonas? "We just call her Dani," he revealed, adding they haven't thought up a nickname for her just yet. "No, she's just Dani." Related Videos |
| 'American Idol' Off-Season In 60 Seconds: A Revolving Door Of Judges And Controversy Posted: 11 Jan 2010 02:20 AM PST Relive Paula Abdul's exit, Adam Lambert's over-the-top AMA performance and more, in just a minute!
On May 20, "American Idol" wrapped its eighth season by crowning Kris Allen the champion. And things really haven't slowed down since.
It's quite possible that, in 2009, "Idol" — which has always been one of the most massive shows on TV — got even more gigantic, thanks to a boatload of talented contestants, a dynamic pair of polar-opposite finalists (humble everydude Allen vs. flashy, dashy Adam Lambert) and a drama-filled offseason that featured backstabbing, big-money contracts and, uh, bondage-heavy awards-show performances. In a lot of ways, it's like "Idol" never left us, and keeping up with the headlines truly became a full-time job. And so, with the ninth season of "Idol" scheduled to kick off Tuesday at 8 p.m., we figured now was the perfect time to bring you up to speed on everything that's gone on since the show went off the air. And who better to turn to than MTV News "American Idol" expert Jim Cantiello? He's packed a whole lot into his patented 60-second recap, but since so much has gone down, he couldn't fit it all — which is why we're here to fill in the gaps. Like we said, it's a full-time job. The "Idol" off-season began in earnest when Allen and Lambert wowed fans with a performance on the "Today" show in late May. We also had our annual controversies, stemming from reports that AT&T employees had allegedly shown fans how to "power vote" for Allen (something show producers and both finalists downplayed). Plus, "Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi accidentally outed Lambert on "The View" (whoops!). The following month, the top 10 hit the road for the Idols Live! Tour, which kicked off in Portland, Oregon, and saw Lambert whip audiences into a frenzy with his covers of David Bowie's "Fame" and Muse's "Starlight" (Allen reportedly also performed). Oh, and on June 14, auditions for the show's ninth season began in Boston. The real drama started to spread in July, first when host Ryan Seacrest inked a $45 million, three-year deal with CKX, the parent company of "Idol" producers 19 Entertainment. Perhaps smarting from this, "Idol" mainstay Paula Abdul began public speculation that she might not return to the show, with her manager saying she didn't have an offer on the table from 19 and that the lack of a new contract was "unnecessarily hurtful ... rude and disrespectful." That was followed by the news that DioGuardi would be brought back for a second season behind the judges' desk, and then an announcement from Abdul herself that she would not return to the show. Speculation began about where Abdul would land next — everywhere from "Dancing With the Stars" to a talk show were in play — and who would replace her. Ultimately, the job went to comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres. But it wasn't just the judges who were making headlines. Lambert came out on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, recorded the fiery "Time for Miracles" for the "2012" soundtrack and shocked viewers with a lewd, S&M-heavy performance at the American Music Awards, which flooded ABC with viewer complaints and got him banned from a pair of upcoming specials on the network. He released his debut album, For Your Entertainment, in late November, then found himself on the receiving end of a verbal (and probably homophobic) barb from none other than Eminem, though he managed to laugh it off, saying he didn't take the insult personally. Hidden in Lambert's shadow, Allen worked hard on his debut album, which was released in November, selling 80,000 copies in its first week of release. Third-place finisher Danny Gokey decided to make a country album, and fourth-place finisher Allison Iraheta got punky on her debut disc, Just Like You. Oh, and as if all that weren't enough, on Monday (January 11), Simon Cowell announced he would leave the show after the ninth season to focus on a U.S. version of his hit U.K. talent show "The X Factor." All of this means that starting Tuesday night, we're in for a very interesting run. Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Will Simon Cowell's Exit Help 'American Idol'? Experts Weigh In Posted: 11 Jan 2010 04:16 AM PST ' 'Idol' is the brand; it's not Simon Cowell,' blogger Rickey Yaneza says of the move.
On Monday (January 11), Simon Cowell shocked "American Idol" fans by announcing that he was leaving the show at the completion of its ninth season, with plans to launch a U.S. version of "The X Factor" in fall 2011. But, for those who follow "Idol" for a living — bloggers and industry experts — the news was pretty much anything but a shock. Rather, it was the culmination of months of rampant speculation, fueled by members of Cowell's family and his impending launch of "The X Factor." And, really, it's sort of become par for the course at this point.
"There have been a lot of hints about him leaving. His own brother [Tony] said on his podcast that Simon would be leaving, and there was a lot of chatter that was reported across the pond in England," blogger MJ Santilli, who runs the "Idol" site MJ's Big Blog told MTV News. "And we've been hearing for a month now that 'X Factor' would be coming to the States, so I wasn't shocked today. I wasn't sure how soon an announcement would be made. I just figured they'd wait until the season was over." "For several seasons now, we've taken part in the 'Will Simon leave or won't he?' dance that precedes every 'Idol' season and follows every 'Idol' season. It always comes up, and he always seems a little ambivalent about it," Entertainment Weekly senior writer Michael Slezak said. "The show sort of trades in that. That said, I was a bit surprised by the announcement. ... Maybe not shocked, but if you would've asked me two weeks ago, I would've said they would've waited until the end of the season to do it. It kind of makes sense, though, because is there any better advertisement for the upcoming season? It's not just a cherry on top of the sundae; it's like an extra sundae on top of the sundae." So while those who follow "Idol" closest are in agreement that Cowell's exit was pretty much inevitable, they are at odds about what it means for the show's upcoming season — and about where the show goes from here. "I have no idea what to expect, but I'm definitely excited. I think [new host] Ellen [DeGeneres] will play an even bigger part in the show now," said blogger Rickey Yaneza, who runs Rickey.org. " 'Idol' will definitely continue on without him. The show is a bit of a Super Bowl moment in America already, so no matter who the judge is, as long as they keep the formula going — talented contestants and intelligent judges — it will be OK. It might be jarring for some viewers not to see Simon sitting there, but 'Idol' is the brand; it's not Simon Cowell." "I think it might help the season, because people might tune in to see the last season of Simon, and maybe he'll stop phoning it in. For the past couple years, he's been bored out of his skull," Santilli said. "I know a lot of people are saying 'Bye, "Idol," nice knowing you,' but I'm not so sure. ... It's definitely a big crossroads for the show, though. I think the show is bigger than anyone on it, but they have to be careful with who they choose to replace him with, because they're going to need to find someone who can fill his role without actually trying to follow in his footsteps." And one thing seems certain: "Idol" fans — even those who may have strayed from the show over the past few seasons — will return in droves for season nine. Whether they stay beyond that remains to be seen, but even if they flee en masse, you probably don't have to worry about "Idol" disappearing from our airwaves any time soon — even with Cowell's new project looming on the horizon. "It's funny, because when people have been talking about 'X Factor,' they're like, 'Will it pull "Idol" off the air?' And I'm like, 'Yeah, I'm sure Fox will want to pull the #1 show off the air,' " Slezak laughed. "It's impossible to sit here and say that losing Simon probably won't lead to a ratings decline for 'Idol,' but I don't think it will obliterate its audience. I mean, the show can lose a quarter of its audience and still be a massive hit. Plus, there's not an 'Idol' fan alive who hasn't uttered the words, 'Well, I'm not watching next season.' ... That's an annual rite of passage, and somehow, for eight straight seasons, the producers have managed to pull you back in. I would not underestimate the 'Idol' machine's ability to do it again, with or without Simon." Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Is Paula Abdul Joining Simon Cowell's 'X Factor'? Posted: 11 Jan 2010 04:35 AM PST Since her 'American Idol' exit, shows like 'Dancing With the Stars' and 'So You Think You Can Dance' have come calling.
Following Simon Cowell's announcement Monday (January 11) that he would be leaving "American Idol" at the end of the season to bring his hit U.K. talent show "The X Factor" to the U.S., rumors began swirling that former "Idol" judge Paula Abdul might join him at the new show's judges' table. When reached for comment, Abdul's rep told MTV News, "Just spoke with Paula. When the time is right we can have a conversation, and Paula is grateful to you for reaching out."
Though Abdul's future with "The X Factor" is unclear, plenty of career speculation has followed the famously upbeat judge since she announced her departure from "Idol" via Twitter on August 5. That same day, former "Idol" producer and "So You Think You Can Dance" judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told TV Guide that he would be inviting Abdul to "Dance," adding that he'd wanted her on the show for years. "I've offered her a judge/choreographer [position] ever since season one, but of course, [Fox] said, 'No, no, we can't have her judging "So You Think You Can Dance" and "American Idol," ' " Lythgoe said. "So now, if she remains free from 'Idol,' she's got no excuse." Abdul has yet to materialize on the dance show, though Lythgoe continues to tease a possible Abdul appearance, going so far as to display an empty chair marked with the name "Paul Abdul" during multiple episodes. ABC President Stephen McPherson continued to stoke rumors a week after the announcement, saying he'd be happy to welcome Abdul to the cast of "Dancing With the Stars." "We would love to have her on 'Dancing,' as a contestant, a participant or a judge. I think she's a huge talent," McPherson said. "I think there's a lot made of her in terms of who she is. ... There's a sensitivity and an emotion to her that balances out 'Idol,' and we'd love to have a piece of that." Abdul has remained largely mum on the subject of her career plans, though she told TV Guide in late August that a talk show could be one potential avenue. "It would be a lot of fun variety with a ton of unexpected stuff and tributes to everyday people getting their big chance," she said of the possible show. In the wake of her departure, the former pop star has kept busy with several television appearances. In September, Abdul hosted "VH1 Divas," featuring former "Idol" contestants Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks and Jennifer Hudson. During the show's opening, Abdul reminded the audience where they were, shouting, "This is not 'American Idol'!" She also parodied her "Idol" replacement, comedian Ellen DeGeneres, donning a blond wig and suit and dancing in DeGeneres' signature Converse sneakers. Abdul made a two-episode guest appearance on the Lifetime series "Drop Dead Diva," playing a fantasy version of herself on the September 13 and October 11 episodes, and also presented at the American Music Awards in November. Up next, Abdul will appear in the dance documentary "Move," along with dozens of other Hollywood and Broadway performers, dancers and choreographers, including Debbie Allen, Bebe Neuwirth and Lythgoe. Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Simon Cowell's Exit Has 'American Idol' Fans Worried Posted: 11 Jan 2010 05:51 AM PST 'I hope things don't get worse for the show after he leaves,' one MTV News commenter writes.
It's hard to imagine "American Idol" without Simon Cowell. He's been there from the beginning as a judge and helped mastermind the show's massive success, but avid viewers have to face the facts: After the season-nine finale in May, Cowell will be jumping ship for his other reality competition, "The X Factor." New judge Ellen DeGeneres is calling the news "very, very sad," and "Idol" experts are saying Cowell's exit could help the show. But what are fans saying? We hit the MTV News comments to see how viewers are taking the news.
Many are ready to jump ship right along with Cowell. "Bye-bye, 'American Idol' — hello, 'X Factor'!!!!!" GinaNYC wrote. "Where Simon goes, we go. Full stop." "What! Without Simon, there is no 'American Idol,' " TH LOVER commented. WebSWAG added: "It's going to be boring if he's not there!" Others are hoping their favorite show can weather the storm without its original captain. "Simon was my favorite judge of all because he was the most honest," rockchick wrote. "I am really upset that he's leaving. I always looked forward to his comments, which was what made the show great. I hope things don't get worse for the show after he leaves." Over on our Newsroom blog, we posed the question many fans are asking: Who should replace Cowell? Readers chimed in with their own suggestions, including one Fox conspiracy theory. "Perhaps it's not mere coincidence that Fox announced that Sarah Palin would be joining Fox News as a contributor on the same day that they announced Simon Cowell is leaving 'Idol,' " Derek suggested. "You think they offered Palin a package deal here?" Another commenter, Saji, went the Fox News route as well: "If you want a scary dynamic where insults and arguments will ensue, may I suggest Bill O'Reilly?" Namanh apparently wants "Idol" to take after the 2009 Video Music Awards: "I think Kanye would make an awesome replacement, because it would be drama all the time." "Who says they need a 4th judge?" B offered. "What's wrong with Randy, Kara and Ellen helming the show?" The lone commenter excited about the judging panel doesn't seem to be a big fan of Cowell's British invasion. "About time!" AAAAANDRE wrote. "Why is a British guy picking the AMERICAN Idol?" What do you think of Cowell's exit? Will "Idol" recover next season? Make your voice heard in the comments section below or upload a video response to Your.MTV.com! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
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