0Is Jennifer Hudson Headed to ‘American Idol’?

Rumour on the street is that Jennifer Hudson may be heading to American Idol next season to replace either Nicki Minaj or Mariah Carey. Which one doesn’t matter since both of them are probably getting the boot, but whatever. If you remember, Jennifer came in 8th place or something a few seasons back and has gone on to star in and get an Oscar for Dreamgirls and lose a lot of weight. She also had a few good tracks – ‘Spotlight’ was my shit back in the day, to be honest – but generally, that’s about all she’s notable for in my mind.

From Vulture:

Well, that was fast: Barely a day after Vulture broke the news that Fox was mulling an all-alumni panel of judges for American Idol, with Jennifer Hudson among the names being discussed, there may already be some movement on that front. There’s buzz around Hollywood that Hudson and Fox may have already started talks about her joining the show; one source tells us the deal is essentially “done.” As always, Fox won’t comment. And buzz even from people familiar with the situation does not always lead to deals, as we noted yesterday. But the idea of Idol alumni as judges may not be a dream after all.

If we’re going for an all-alumni panel, why not bring back Carrie Underwood (if she would even lower herself down onto this sinking ship at this point, that is)? The best they’ll probably get is like, Ace Young or Alison Iraheta. Yes, I’m a sicko and I know these people’s names. WHATEVER.

Anyway, producers better make sure JHud’s cup is filled with DIET Coke. Don’t make homegirl lose her Weight Watchers endorsement deal, now.

May 24, 2013 at 7:30 am by Jennifer

4Was Mariah Carey Lip Synching And Do You Care?

Mariah Carey, in a diabolical feathered gown, sang her face off last night in the season finale of American Idol — or DID she? A lot of people are freaking out, pointing fingers, saying she was actually lip synching her Mariah’s greatest hits medley. Maybe she did, considering she and everyone else on the judging panel got fired, and this is her way of saying, “Thanks, bye.” Like maybe she doesn’t even care. Or maybe she actually was singing. I can’t tell. It looks like she’s singing but there’s something very smooth about it. But maybe that’s because she’s a professional who has been singing since she was but a wee child in a diabolical feathered gown.

Watch it and tell us what you think.

May 17, 2013 at 5:30 pm by Catherine St. Ives

3Pretty Much Everyone On American Idol Got Fired

Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson, and…who is the other one? Ah, Keith Urban. Yeah all of them are fired and won’t be coming back for the next season of American Idol. And Jennifer Lopez isn’t coming back either. Or Nigel Lythgoe. That’s what they’re saying. So spin it away, boys! Here’s most of the report. It contains the delicious quote “No more big checks for big divas.”

From The Wrap:

“All four are gone,” [an] insider told TheWrap. “They feel they’ve lost their core audience and they want it back.”

A Fox spokesperson declined to comment for this story.

All four judges have options to return for another season, but Fox won’t be picking them up, according to the knowledgeable individual, who said: “No more big checks for divas.”

The network has resolved to stop paying the huge salaries it has been shoveling out for its big name talent, i.e. Carey’s reported $18 million package, Minaj’s $12 million salary and former judge Jennifer Lopez’s $15 million.

The show’s format will also change. Its look will be redesigned and the dated tribute nights will be a thing of the past. But the show’s trademark audition episodes will continue.

Behind the scenes, Fox Broadcasting chairman Kevin Reilly is charged with “fixing Idol.” And one of the first changes will occur at the top of the food chain: Longtime executive producer Lythgoe is expected to be replaced. What that means for the show’s producers, FremantleMedia, remains to be seen.

Fox’s meltdown has everything to do with the talent competition’s declining viewership. Its ratings are already down 22 percent this season and it hit a series low for ratings last Thursday, when it attracted only 11 million viewers and a 2.4 rating/7 share in the ad-coveted 18-49 demographic. The ratings slide is especially problematic during May Sweeps, where ratings numbers are used to dictate advertising rates.

Viewing has been in decline for several seasons now. At its height during Season 6, “Idol” attracted about 30 million viewers an episode.

So, why not just cancel the show?

“Idol” is still a huge revenue generator for Fox, bringing in $836.4 million in ad revenue last year, according to Kantar Media. Plus, it has nothing to replace it. Simon Cowell’s “The X Factor” is far from being “Idol’s” heir apparent after failing to meet ratings expectations over its first two seasons. It, too, is undergoing another round of changes for Season 3, with pop star Britney Spears and record executive L.A. Reid not returning.

“Idol’s” problems are compounded by the success of NBC’s “The Voice.” Currently airing its fourth season, the show recently crossed a milestone when it beat “Idol” (and everyone else on the small screen for that matter) in both total viewers and the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic. Additionally, “The Voice” took “Idol’s” spot in the Emmy race last year, replacing it among the nominees in the Outstanding Reality Competition category.

I haven’t watched American Idol in years. It got boring as hell. And it really wasn’t the same after Simon left. Remember when they tried Ellen? And Steven Tyler? They had no idea what they were doing and neither did the audience. I’m surprised it still generates so much ad revenue.

Anyway, EFF YEAH, because it is EFFING RIDICULOUS to give people that much money to essentially cohost a talent contest. I guess they’re keeping Seacrest though.

May 9, 2013 at 3:30 pm by Catherine St. Ives

1‘American Idol’ Producers Are Kinda Behind the whole Nicki and Mariah Feud

Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj don’t get along, in case you hadn’t noticed – though chances are you have, since they seem to always be at each other’s throats during every American Idol broadcast and Nicki won’t stop trying to fan non-existent flames on Twitter. Turns out, that’s sorta the producers’ fault, as they really egg the bickering on – this according to Mariah’s husband Nick Cannon.

Nick stopped by The Talk on Monday, where he was of course asked about his wife, since no one cares about what he’s doing.

“It’s kind of unfortunate. I ain’t got time for that … When you see someone like my wife, who tries to remain classy and tries to take the high road, it feels like everybody else around it — including the network and the producers — feed into this whole sound bite drama. It feels like it lacks substance.

“You can’t even blame Nicki Minaj or her team. I feel like they fed into that. They wanted to see the drama. I think America in general is tired of seeing the mean judges and people be mean to people. They’re over it … In the book of Mariah Carey, American Idol will be a footnote.”

That’s true enough – American Idol is going to be a footnote in pretty much everyone’s lives, except for like, Kelly Clarkson and probably Simon Cowell. Why can’t this show just die already?

As for the “feud”, I’ve aired my thoughts before. Nicki needs to sit the hell down and know her place and Mariah just needs to get off this sinking ship. (I seriously typed “sinking shit” accidentally, at first.)

May 7, 2013 at 12:30 pm by Jennifer

0Did Mariah Carey Almost Get Sacked From ‘Idol’ For Jennifer Lopez?

Mariah Carey was a big get for American Idol, a dying show that no one really cares about anymore. By all measures, her presence on the judges’ panel should have made the ratings skyrocket – especially given her “feud” with Nicki Minaj, which has been far less exciting than we’d all hoped. In any case, higher ratings have been elusive and apparently, Idol producers considered getting rid of Mariah in favour of bringing back former judge Jennifer Lopez. Oh, snap!

Team Mariah caught wind of this, apparently, and threatened to sue the show, which threw a wrench in the whole operation. Of course, Nigel Lythgoe over at Idol has denied this was ever in the works, but I think we all know better.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

“This is just another ridiculous Idol judge rumor, likely started by talks of Jennifer performing on the finale,” a Fox spokeswoman tells THR in a statement. Producer Fremantle NorthAmerica declines to comment. A rep for Carey denies these allegations. Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe tells THR: “I have not been included in any conversation regarding replacing Mariah with Jen this season.”

American Idol kicked off its 12th season on solid enough footing. Earning a 6.0 rating with adults 18-49 and 17.9 million total viewers in its January return, the 17 percent dip was less precipitous than some of the bigger drops in recent years. But the months since have been less kind. The Wednesday performance show is currently averaging a 4.3 rating with adults 18-49, its worst performance since its inaugural season in 2001. And it is dropping nearly every week.

Well, obviously it’s dropping every week – no one gives a shit about American Idol. It’s a dated format now that produces very few stars anymore and people aren’t watching because of it. Obviously shows like The Voice are doing well (though they don’t fare well with producing real-life stars at all and never have) because it’s a shake-up of the traditional talent show genre, but whatever.

Apparently Idol producers want to gut the entire panel for next season, which begs the question: WHY IS THERE GOING TO BE ANOTHER SEASON OF AMERICAN IDOL? Christ almighty, let it die.

April 24, 2013 at 9:30 am by Jennifer

1Mariah Carey Ratted on Nicki Minaj to Barbara Walters

Did any of you guys watch The View today? Because while I normally don’t, I happened to catch part of it, and it was probably the most relevant part of The View that’s ever aired for me.

On The View, Barbara Walters revealed that Mariah Carey confirmed—to her—that Nicki Minaj threatened her life on the ‘American Idol’ set, saying, “If I had a gun I would shoot the bitch,” meaning Nicki would shoot Mariah, had she a firearm on her person. I mean, there’s really no other way to take that, right? I’m not off by a few meanings because of some hip, new Young Money slang that actually happens to mean “I love this woman and I’d take a bullet for her,” right? OK. Moving on. So because of Nicki’s “death threat,” Mariah told Barbara that she went and amped up her security team, but says she feels that Nicki loves her anyway. WTF, right? I know. I don’t get it, either.

When Nicki heard the news earlier today, she fired off the following Tweets:

I don’t call tmz n Barbara Walters cuz I stand on my own two feet. Never needed an army. God is good. Insecurity is as cruel as the grave

I guess it hurts 2 have the producers tell u to ur face that nicki is the best judge we’ve had since simon. Awww, poor u. Keep them lies cmn.

I’m really feeling the “love” here, too, guys, aren’t you?

October 4, 2012 at 4:30 pm by Sarah