Idol Fills One Judging Vacancy

Filling one of the vacancies created when Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez quit, American Idol has announced the signing of Grammy winner Mariah Carey as a judge for next season.  After the news broke, Carey tweeted:

MariahCarey It's gonna be so much fun working on @AmericanIdol. As a singer-songwriter, I'm excited to help find and nurture new talent. LYM! --MC 7/23/12 3:11 PM

I'm probably in the minority, but the addition of Carey to American Idol doesn't move me.  Suffice it to say that Idol producers need to find a judge who will knock my socks off to keep my interest because as of right now, they have two judges that just don't excite me in Mariah and veteran Randy Jackson.

Oh, Good Evening!

Two Vacancies on American Idol's "Supreme Court"

The powers-that-be running American Idol are once again scratching their beds trying to figure out who can fill two vacancies on the popular show's judging panel in time to stay on schedule with auditions and production for Season 12.  Last week, Jennifer Lopez hinted that she might leave the show after two seasons.  Within days, Steven Tyler didn't just hint, he announced that he's done, leaving his "mistress," Idol, to focus on his main love, rock 'n roll.  Translated, his band Aerosmith is #1 in his heart.  Then a day later, JLo came back with a firm, "I'm leaving, too."

The question, now, is -- who should replace them?   

American Idol judges (l-r) Steven Tyler,
Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson.
Photo: FOX

I'm really sorry to see Lopez depart.  In terms of legitimate judging, she has been #1 among all the women who have occupied permanent seats on the panel and, I would rank her #2 all-time behind former judge Simon Cowell.  I think her departure hurts and I can't really think of who I would want as her replacement.  Suffice it to say, I'm not impressed by the names that have been floating around. (Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, etc.)

I also am sorry to see Tyler leave.  Yes, he is a crazy character but, I like the humor he brought to the show while still giving some decent critiques to the contestants based his passion for music and vast experience fronting a legendary band.  I will miss Tyler (if I return as a viewer next season) but could see his seat being filled by likes of Gene Simmons or Usher, maybe.

American Idol 11: And, The Winner Is...

Another American Idol season has come to an end. CONGRATS to Phillip Phillips on winning the title! It was, truly, the best possible result for both he and Jessica.

Phillip Phillips
Photo: FOX

The final competition show was, as I expected, very BORING. Phillip was his usual steady self, which is my way of saying he was good, but VERY safe. It seemed the song choices for him were designed to present him at his best. Interestingly, I felt the song choices for Jessica did just the opposite. Instead of playing to her season-long strengths, she sang songs that amplified her vocal flaws and you could hear her young nerves as well. Setup? Arsenio Hall would say, "Hmmm…." 

But, not winning is really the best thing for Jessica Sanchez. Now, it will be up to the recording execs to do what Randy Jackson suggested-- make sure they play to her strengths when picking songs, recording them and mastering the tracks. They need to let Jessica be Jessica and stop trying to turn her into the next Beyonce or Rihanna.