AMERICAN IDOL Year 10: Our attempts to deal with the post-Cowell era and the new (probably) worse than ever contestants.

http://www.fancast.com/blogs/2010/tv-news/idol-lowers-age-limit-to-15-reveals-season-10-audition-sites/

‘American Idol’ Lowers Age Limit, Reveals Season 10 Audition Sites

Fox’s ‘American Idol‘ will open its doors to crooners as young as 15 when it kicks off its Season 10 try-outs on July 17 in Nashville.

“A lot of young, talented people are now seeking careers and representation before they turn 16,” ‘Idol’ executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz explains to USA Today. “Lowering the age limit allows us to tap into this talent pool.”

Previously, the age range for ‘Idol’ wannabes spanned 16 to 28.

As noted by America’s newspaper, this tweak might not shake up the eventual outcomes too much, seeing as the last teens to make the ‘Idol’ finals were Season 6 runner-up David Archuleta and Season 7 winner Jordin Sparks.

Instead, the lower age limit could play right into the hands of ‘Idol’s text-happy younger fan base – a group already being catered to by the coming season’s MySpace audition option.

Speaking of Season 10 – which is to be judged by Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres and…. who knows?! – here is the complete list of audition cities and dates, courtesy of RyanSeacrest.com:

Saturday, July 17: Nashville, TN (Bridgestone Arena)
Wednesday, July 21: Milwaukee, WI (Bradley Center)
Monday, July 26: New Orleans, LA (Site TBA)
Tuesday, August 3: East Rutherford, NJ (IZOD Center)
Wednesday, August 11: Austin, TX (Frank Erwin Center)
Thursday, August 19: San Francisco, CA (AT&T Park)

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So, at least six Justin Biebers this year?

Yeah, because American Juniors worked out so well for them. This is at least as dumb as hiring Kara and Ellen to be judges.

http://www.fancast.com/blogs/2010/tv-news/american-idol-eying-chris-isaak-to-replace-simon/

Chris Isaak? He's proven to be a pretty funny guy over the years, and has plenty of on-air experience both as an actor and interviewer. I dunno, though. This option just doesn't seem to *pop* enough for me. I still think Harry Connick would fit this show like a glove (and would hopefully keep some of the questionable talent out of the top 12).

The great news? Bret Michaels is really no longer in the running. HOORAY!

the best news: I somehow no longer give two shits about American Idol

YAY MORE TIME FOR WOW wait ;_;

Ellen's out.

thank god

If Nigel Lythgoe does indeed come back as exec producer, and wipes the judging panel clean, it's about the only way the show can move on in the right way I think. Ellen, eh...can take or leave her. Kara and Randy, though...they can't be let go soon enough!

I hope he does. Yesterday he had a Freudian slip and said "American Idol" while he meant "So You Think You Can Dance"

um guys

jennifer lopez

jlo

http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/breaking-ellen-out-of-idol/

Also a rumor about Steven Tyler? I'll reserve judgement.

Still hoping Randy and Kara get booted, and Harry Connick and Sheila E take their places. But MOST IMPORTANTLY, STILL HOPING RANDY AND KARA GET BOOTED.

Randy, Steven Tyler, J Lo

Dawg, for me, for you, that trio doesn't look good even on paper.

I kind of like the J Lo move. Less interested in Steven Tyler. Grumpy that it looks like Randy Jackson is hanging around.

If they wanted to hire a dancer who can't sing they could've just brought Paula back.

I think J Lo has real potential to bring the bitchiness. And I mean that in a good way.

Randy Jackson's contract runs out after the next season, so I assume this will be his last one.

Kara and Ellen had contracts too, so that's not what's keeping Randy from being booted. Sure, Ellen asked to be let out of hers, but afaik Kara was fired.

That's true. It would make more sense to completely start fresh at this point and replace all of them.

Oh no, not Steven Tyler please!

JLo >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Paula

Steven Tyler :(

when this show finally gets cancelled, does that mean the music industry will be officially dead?

i'm stoked about jlo

has she ever been a guest judge on the show?

She mentored a couple seasons ago, but I really don't remember if she was any good or not.

Yeah, mentor is what I meant.

I guess I'm not sure what everyone's J Lo enthusiasm is based on.

haven't watched american idol in a while; jlo piquing my interest

american idol will probably get cancelled after next season if X-Factor USA realy takes off.

I guess I'm not sure what everyone's J Lo enthusiasm is based on.

Well, personally I can't imagine her being any worse than any of the female judges that have been on the show so far. Somehow she doesn't seem completely clueless about things.

I used to have some respect for Randy until I read about his comments on Paper Tongues.

Isn't Seacrest signed on for another two seasons at least? This show isn't going anywhere until 2012 at the earliest.

I'm excited about JLo, it's not like it'll turn the show around or anything, but she's obviously 100000000X more interesting than the other judges on the panel.

lol, was this already posted on another thread?
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/07/why-not-hire-a-music-critic-as-an-american-idol-judge-ten-contestants-for-the-job.html

Welp, no J Lo after all: http://www.avclub.com/articles/jennifer-lopezs-out-of-hand-demands-get-her-droppe,44045/

Aw, I might have tuned in to see J-Lo.

J-Lo would have been interesting, but as a few people have written in various places, I think it might be nicer if they retreat from uber-famous judges and get some personable, knowledgeable people and shift the attention back to the contestants.

That doesn't mean I don't want Harry Connick, Jr. on the panel, though. Because I do.

the panel should be Jesse Ventura, Tila Tequila and Andrew Lloyd Weber

An all-male panel would be lame though.

xpost I didn't mean to imply that Tila is a man.

aw that's too bad because I'm over here lolling

Joe Perry reacts to news of Steven Tyler's new gig.

Official: J-Lo & Steven Tyler are the new Idol judges

http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/2010822//560.ai.lc.092210.jpg
http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b201708_official_jennifer_lopez_steven_tyler.html

Yuk.

Just looking at Steven Tyler these days is a hard thing to do, so seeing him on tv two nights a week isn't really something I'm anticipating. And Randy...oh, Randy, you're still the useless judge at the far end of the table. Less "feelin' it"s and "dawg"s and more actually coherent judging may have moved you to the other end, but it's not your style. I get it. And Jennifer Lopez, sweet Jennifer Lopez. I actually have no complaints here. She might do okay, even as (what I presume will be) a pale imitation of Sheila E's role on Next Great American Band.

Tyler looks like a shaved muppet.

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/imagebrowser/view/imagecache/53285/Full

skeee bop dee bop elevator hhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey

Randy Jackson, still the weak link.

http://www.fancast.com/blogs/2010/tv-news/lopez-will-put-american-idol-hopefuls-through-the-wringer/

The members of ‘American Idol’s Season 10 judging panel – Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson – have revealed their individual mindsets for when it comes to assessing the coming crop of singers.

Describing her style as “tough” but “fair,” ‘Idol’ newcomer Jennifer Lopez says, “I really want to put them through the wringer in the sense that I don’t want to let anybody who’s really great go.”

As auditions got underway this week, “We worked with them a little more than maybe you’ve seen in the past,” she told reporters at a press conference. “We give them more of a chance.”

J.Lo’s favorite ‘Idol’ champ to date? Season 1’s Kelly Clarkson, whom she hails as “a real artist.”

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, the other new addition to the panel, says, “I try to judge them fairly.” He then boils his advice to wannabe Idols thusly: “Don’t get mad at what we say. Get better.”

And then there’s Randy. Now the old warhorse at ‘Idol,’ his directive to the singers heading their way goes a little something like this: “Whatever you do, make it hot.”

Dawg.

wau I didn't expect James to leave tonight, but you bet I'm not sad about it at all.

Odds are 2:1 we get a female winner this year.

Yeah, that was moderately shocking, but I think America got it right; of those 4, the most talented 3 remain. I actually got a little misty at the end. James obviously wanted badly to win, and battling ADD and Tourette's certainly can't be easy. He fought the good fight for metal.

Okay I know everyone's basically off the Idol train, but if you care: (reputable) spoiler alert re Haley tonight. (First song.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuPACw167s8

Oh hell, I forgot it's just gonna embed! Oh well...

I'm still on the train and that is awesome. I'm a little worried about that Zeppelin song showing off her strengths tho.

^yeah, Zep may not work as well as she (& I) hopes but Darin is otm; I like Haley more and more every week, and I can't believe I was gunning for her to get booted off in the early rounds...

It's tough to edit to 90 seconds, plus there's a chance to oversing. Seems she's giving up on any "Moanin'" -type jazz and going full on rockerchick (with the aid of the judges/Iovine's picks.) Don't know if that's gonna help her with voters or throw her under the bus, but she's got moxie!

Holy hell! Haley's performance of "Rhiannon" was maybe the most professional-quality AI performance I've ever seen in any week before a finale. Can't believe I was ready to send her home a few weeks ago. Now I'm hoping she wins.

Haley > Lauren >>> Scotty

That Beyonce song was a serious M.I.A. ripoff. Like, lawsuit-worthy ripoff.

Welcome aboard Team Growl, Johnny! I just voted for her a bunch, for the first time ever.

oh god, fuck you america

new (definitely) worse than ever results

Well, okay then. (Didn't see the show, just read the results.)

At least James Durbin isn't in, so...yay?

I was holding on hopefully that Lauren and Scotty would be splitting votes but fuck I guess there's a LOT of chaw-spittin' birthers out there seeking retribution for the white house or something.

Enh, this show is always going to vote safe over edgy, Faith Hill over Alanis Morrisette. Haley had a fun arc over the the season, and picked up a lot of buzz and recognition. She'll do something outside the Idol machinery. (And this frees up two TV nights for me next week, as I have zero interest in a country/country top 2 where the winner is preordained.)

dude Lauren is going to win it

Says the dude who was totally putting money on James two weeks ago!

I'd prefer Lauren over Scotty, but he's never been in the bottom 3 and she has multiple times so....

LOL xp true nuff

Scotty had twice as many votes as Lauren on dialidol last night. I would rather see her win too, but it's gonna take a ginormous upset. (I think she's only been in the bottom once, though?)

actually tbh I think Lauren winning Idol this year would epitomize the whole "something went wrong" vibe of the results this year

New Siobhan Magnus single. The screamy bits at the end are amazing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdqF4wYCHtk&feature=related

I remember the first time she unleashed that scream and my jaw dropped to the floor. Then it got old.

But I've missed it, tbh.

"Idol" finale will feature U2's Bono, The Edge and their "Spider-Man" musical. The U2 bandmates will perform alongside the cast of their troubled musical, "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/update-u2s-bono-edge-perform-191156

I hope Spiderman falls on Scotty.

TMZ sez Lauren Alaina may not sing in Idol finale due to laryngitis. If that happens 3rd place Haley Reinhart would sing.

Drudge is saying something about the outcome...I won't spoil it here, though. If you're curious, look around.

Ugh. Hate when Drudge is right.

I like Scotty fine, and he'll probably be the first winner of the show in several seasons to actually sell records. Good for him.

i don't know anything about this guy or if he's gonna be doing anti-gay marriage PSAs or w/e but i heard a clip of him singing on the radio and it was kinda O_O

So they sang "Born This Way" and excised the LGBT stuff, but then Durbin comes out dressed like an extra from Cruising while singing with Rob Halford. Kind of a push, I guess.

I missed the first ten minutes (came in halfway through the Priest/James performance). Good call on my part, I guess.

Bono and The Edge are just flat embarrassing now, yes? There was a time when I'd not dare speak ill of them, but that time was many albums ago.

fuck this nerddddd

I can't get mad about Scotty's win. Country is a genre I mostly ignore, but he seems to do it well.

The contestant/celebrity pairings were fun, but instead of teaming up Jacob with Kirk Franklin and (the still-amazing) Gladys Knight, they should have hooked him up with RuPaul.

Yeah, mostly don't care, except I feel like he coasted through the entire season doing some minor variation of either a ballad or a corny uptempo tune like "Swingin'." I never saw much stylistic depth, or even depth within the country genre. (They even gave him "Green, Green Grass Of Home" during the Tom Jones medley, because it sounded like every other song he ever sang, and he couldn't have pulled off any of the other ones.)

^in that regard he wasn't much different than Crystal Bowersox

Smirking, pandering douche.

Crystal came in with her act/genre pretty much formed, yeah, but in between the Tracy Chapman and Melissa Etheridge she covered CCR, Gladys Knight, Curtis Mayfield and Kenny Loggins (thank you, wiki!) in addition to the artist theme nights. Scotty chose straight Josh Turner/Travis Tritt/Garth Brooks/Montgomery Gentry throughout.

Enjoyed Mike Slezak's analysis of the finale with guest Melinda Doolittle:

http://www.tvline.com/2011/05/idoloonies-american-idol-season-10-finale-scotty-mccreery-haley-reinhart/

And an interview with Scotty:

http://www.tvline.com/2011/06/idoloonies-scotty-mccreery-american-idol-season-10-winner-interview/

That guy who sang and played drums at the same time tonight is the WORST.

Is that Reed Grimm? I have no idea, I haven't watched a moment of AI this year. Here's the Top 24 fwiw:

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679860/american-idol-top-24.jhtml

Yeah, I didn't watch ANY of the auditions, but I just caught up with some video of the top 24 and may dive back in as they slim it to 12 to see if I wanna commit for the long haul. I feel mostly done with Idol and Idol-type shows at this point, though.

Top 24 Dance of Dorkiness:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9vYW2ZRUmzg#!

Jessica Sanchez is dope, son

Deandre is pretty fucking sweet too.

Just got through watching them all online, much quicker and easier. The drummer is indeed Reed Grimm, he's semi-local so he's been shown on my evening news. Yeah, dorkus malorkus.

Not much stood out to me. Jessica's got mad skills; that kind of singing is massively not my thing, though. Deandre's got something; liked that, didn't love it. I kinda liked the piano playing Adele-singer, maybe? Think I'm gonna be following this season pretty casually.

Dude. That super smooth-jazz version of Moves Like Jagger was fucking nauseating. I take it the judges decided to just blow smoke up everyone's asses for the first episode...

Okay, wait, I hadn't seen this one yet. Wow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lddGLxASYU&feature=player_embedded

Not much stood out to me. Jessica's got mad skills; that kind of singing is massively not my thing, though. Deandre's got something; liked that, didn't love it. I kinda liked the piano playing Adele-singer, maybe? Think I'm gonna be following this season pretty casually.

Yeah I haven't been watching it for the most part. Thought I'd check in now that it's live.

I didn't like the piano lady (although she started pretty strong), but I did like Joe Magrane's daughter, and Skyler Laine.

Didn't watch the dudes sing.

No new thread for this year?

I was feeling really apathetic about this season (I watched only two or three episodes last year), but I saw most of the top 24 and was impressed. Almost all of them would have been good enough to make the top ten in most other seasons.

The top 13 is pretty solid. Didn't really lose anyone I was attached to.