Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez Will be Newest American Idol Judges
The wait is over. American Idol host Ryan Seacrest today announced who will replace Simon Cowell and Kara DioGuardi in the new season of American Idol.
At least one judge wasn't much of a surprise. Producer Simon Fuller chose Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and musician-turned-actress Jennifer Lopez. The two are celebrity juggernauts and will give the show a much-needed boost after the judging crew has almost completely changed in the past two seasons.
The three original judges, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell served together for the first six seasons. Jackson is the only original judge to remain. Abdul quit after Season 8 and was replaced by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, who served one season. Cowell left at the end of last season, the show's ninth.
Jackson revved up the crowd at Wednesday's announcement in Los Angeles, shouting, "Idol 2010 remixed!" And fans should get used to more judging remixes. Tyler and Lopez bring in legions of fans from the rock, pop, and Latin music scenes.
Idol has typically invited "guest" judges to sit in with the regulars and offer their own critiques of the contestants' performances. But from Season 10 and beyond, fans should expect an annual announcement of the judging corps.
This could actually be a very good thing for the show. Fans who had tired of Abdul's constant gladhanding the contestants and Cowell's persistent "honesty" will get a fresh perspective this year from Tyler and Lopez.
Next year? Who knows.
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