American Idol | Channel Guide Magazine

American Idol: Judges and execs talk Season 12

January 8, 2013 | By Lori Acken
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The judging panel for American Idol Season 12 took to the stage at the TCA Winter Press Tour today to present a united front. Sort of. While FOX head of alternative programming, Mike Darnell, assured assembled critics that the much-publicized feud between freshman judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj wasn’t drummed up to lure disillusioned viewers back to the show, he added that all of the judges disagree with one another — only because they are so passionate about finding America’s next music superstar. “They fight all the time,” Carey then quipped about fellow newbie Keith Urban and the judge’s [...]

“American Idol” Season 12 online auditions reopen today

October 12, 2012 | By Jeff Pfeiffer
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Starting today, Oct. 12, though Sunday, Nov. 4, American Idol hopefuls have one more chance to audition for the show’s upcoming 12th season, which begins in January on FOX (with recently announced judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban, along with returning judge Randy Jackson). Online auditions are being taken during these dates, and entrants should submit an audition video online, featuring them performing a song of their choice a cappella. Videos are limited to one submission per person. All auditioners must be between the ages of 15-28 (on June 5, 2012) and a legal U.S. citizen or a [...]

Five ways to fix “American Idol”

August 21, 2012 | By Tom Comi
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American Idol is not only close to jumping the shark, it is getting dangerously close to getting eaten by it. And with the show changing judges quicker than Simon Cowell can put away a carton of cigarettes, it would be wise for FOX to revamp the competition immediately. FOX had a good thing going back in the day when the only three judges were Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul. Fearing that viewers were getting tired of the trio, executives made the ill-fated decision to replace Abdul with Kara DioGuardi and then add Ellen DeGeneres to the mix. The four-panel [...]

Statements on Steven Tyler’s “American Idol” departure

July 12, 2012 | By Jeff Pfeiffer
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Steven Tyler has decided to depart his role as a judge on American Idol, FOX announced in a press release today. Tyler served as a judge during the hit series’ 10th and 11th seasons. Following are statements from Tyler and network and show execs. Steven Tyler: “After some long …hard … thoughts … I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress American Idol before she boils my rabbit. I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I’m back – but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I’ve got two fists in the air and [...]

FOX celebrates 25th anniversary tonight

April 22, 2012 | By Jeff Pfeiffer
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Although it may be hard for even those of us who were around at its launch to recall, FOX really was an upstart network and the butt of many of jokes in the wake of its primetime debut in April 1987 (it continued to be the punchline of some jokes regarding dubious programming for years afterward, even into the 2000s, but what can you expect when you greenlight shows like Man vs. Beast and The Littlest Groom?). There was also plenty of criticism of some of its “edgy” program choices early on. Married…With Children was an early success for the network and [...]

Matt Lauer, Ryan Seacrest confront “Today Show” rumors

April 4, 2012 | By Tom Comi
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There was a giant elephant on the set of the Today Show this morning, and Matt Lauer and Ryan Seacrest finally got together publicly to talk about it. For those not paying attention, there have been major rumors circulating that the American Idol host could be next in line to replace the morning show anchor should he not renew his expiring contract this year. It should be noted upfront that Lauer and Seacrest are social outside of their respective jobs, so much of the interview came across as two buddies having a conversation over a beer. And even though laughter [...]

Jeremy Rosado on his “American Idol” ouster

March 9, 2012 | By Lori Acken
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Speaking with journalists via conference call Friday morning, Jeremy “Jer-Bear” Rosado — the first American Idol contestant to be ousted on the Season 11 competition — lived up to his teddy bear with a heart of gold reputation, having nothing but kind words to say about the AI judges and producers and his “brothers and sisters” who remain to sing on. “I cried and prayed and called my mom,” Rosado said when asked what he did when the cameras stopped rolling. “I’m still devastated. But I was so tremendously blessed to have been on the show.” Even before he and [...]

Can “The Voice” pose a threat to the “American Idol” dynasty?

March 5, 2012 | By Tom Comi
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This week will be very intriguing for music fans as American Idol and The Voice both get to the next stages of their respective competitions. And it will be interesting from a ratings standpoint to see if Idol will continue to be the standard bearer or if the up-and-coming Voice can present a challenge to the throne. There was a time when Idol was the only kid on the block, but shows like The Voice, X-Factor and even The Sing-Off are now giving music fans some options. That doesn’t mean Idol still isn’t a ratings juggernaut, because it’s still the [...]

“American Idol” exec Nigel Lythgoe talks Hollywood Week and more

February 7, 2012 | By Lori Acken
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On the eve of American Idol‘s Season 11 Hollywood Week adventures, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe fielded conference call questions from TV journalists. And though we were politely urged to keep it to Idol, the queries stretched just a leeeetle bit to encompass X-Factor, Smash, The Voice and the future of rising entertainment mogul Mr. Ryan Seascrest. Straight out of the gate, Lythgoe revealed that last year’s much-admired — and blessedly effective — contestant mentor uber-producer Jimmy Iovine would be back, along with other guest mentors he wouldn’t name. Surprisingly — at least to me — he also compared Iovine to [...]

“American Idol” holiday e-cards available

December 23, 2011 | By Jeff Pfeiffer
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So there are only two days until Christmas, and you haven’t sent any cards out. Hey, this the Digital Age, and there’s always time to shoot off a quick holiday note to someone — at least in the form of an e-card. And if that someone happens to also be a fan of FOX’s hit series American Idol (which is returning for Season 11 on Jan. 18), you’re really in luck, because the network has made available a set of American Idol holiday e-cards that can be personalized for everyone on your list. Just go to www.idolholidaycard.com and pick your [...]