Latest Report: Shania Twain to Judge American Idol?
Perezhilton.com is now reporting that the people behind "Idol" are considering asking Shania Twain to take a place at the judges table for the upcoming season.
Shania Twain filled in as a celebrity judge last season. She wasn't completely brutal like Simon can be or bitchy like Kara always was. She was more of a spiced up version of Paula. Twain is also incredibly talented and has had much success in country music, which has quickly become one of "Idol"'s favorite musical genres. I think she would really know how to detect talent. I think she would be a pretty okay judge. Not as good as Perez, but a huge improvement over J.LO or Jessica Simpson.
What do you think about Shania Twain as a possible judge for American Idol? Do you think she'd be good or do you think they should keep looking? Is anyone getting as tired as I am about the different reports? Don't you wish they'd just make up their minds already?!?
Simon Cowell's brother, who hosts the weekly podcast titled, "The Cowell Factor" announced on his most recent podcast that judge Simon Cowell will be leaving Idol after the conclusion of this coming season.
Cowell's brother stated that instead of continuing with another season of "Idol", Cowell will focus on establishing his popular UK show, The X-Factor in America.
Without Cowell's harsh comments at the judges table, it is unknown whether the show will succeed or not. The ratings for the past few years have suffered, but have still continued to bring Idol to the number one slot each week. Co-judge, Paula Abdul announced that she would be resigning from her position as judge in the summer. This action, combined with Cowell's departure would make season 10 of Idol a far cry from the original lineup that the show has carried on for 8 consecutive seasons.
Will you still tune in to Idol without Simon on the show? Do you think the show can succeed without him, or will it be an epic fail?
Record Companies Don't Want Ellen DeGeneres to "Just Dance"
According to TMZ.com, several record labels including Arista, Atlantic, Capitol Records, Motown, Sony Music Entertainment, Virgin Records and Warner Bros. Records are joining forces in lawsuits filed against the popular talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres.
Their lawsuit(s) state that DeGeneres has used hundreds of songs for her Dance feature on her show for years, yet they have never received any money from the show. However, the people who work for the Ellen DeGeneres show claim that DeGeneres knows nothing about the music played on the show and is not involved in this case, which does not make much sense at all.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show's production company spokesman, Scott Rowe, stated that the show is in the process of working out a deal with the record label, but thus far nothing has been settled.
No word yet on how much the record labels plan to sue for.
It's pretty interesting that this has come to light in the midst of the breaking news about DeGeneres replacing Paula Abdul on American Idol. Do you think that this is nothing more than a publicity stunt, or do you believe that this is a serious matter that The Ellen Show should have to pay up to?
Ellen DeGeneres to Permanently Replace Abdul on "Idol".
Ever since it was confirmed that Paula Abdul would not be taking part as an Idol judge this coming season people have wondered who would take her place. After today all predictions, rumors, and conspiracies can be laid to rest though, since the new judge was announced. Taking the place of singer/dancer/choreographer/performer, Paula Abdul, will be talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres.
Producers are hoping that DeGeneres will be able to fill in Abdul's place because of her compassionate and warm-hearted nature. They feel that she will be able to balance out judge Kara DioGuardi's feisty, and sometimes harsh, comments, not to mention Simon Cowell's down-right rude remarks.
Along with taking her place behind the Idol judges table, DeGeneres will also continue to host her own talk show.
What do you think about Ellen DeGeneres replacing Paula Abdul? Do you feel she has enough knowledge about music to bring to the table, or do you feel they should have just stuck with Abdul or another musician?
The Verdict is In! Paula Abdul will NOT be Returning to this Season of American Idol!
This just in! According to perezhilton.com, Paula Abdul will NOT be returning to this season of American Idol! The reason being failed financial negotiations. Simon Cowell was recently offered approximately $144 million per year of Idol and Ryan Seacrest was also granted a pay increase of $45 million per year, whereas Paula Abdul made less than $15 million dollars per year.
It's pretty sad, yet also incredible, that they would offer Cowell over 100 million dollars more than Abdul, but with the addition of last year's Kara Diogaurdi, I guess they don't need Paula anymore. Simon is much more valuable for the show. I don't think the show would be nearly as successful without him. Paula is a bit of an airhead, but she has a craziness and compassion that the contestants and the show needs and DioGuardi lacks. Most viewers are not fans of DioGuardi, anyway.
Do you think the show will do OK with the absence of Abdul?
After seeing the first of the season 8 American Idol auditions I'm feeling very optimsitic about this season. I think there were several great singers tonight and also some that have great personalities. Here is a review of some singers I liked and didn't like.
Deanna Brown. At first I thought she was going to be incredibly annoying like Paris Hilton or Kellie Pickler, but I actually ended up really liking her voice. I think she'll make it into the top 36.
Katrina Darrell AKA "Bikini Girl"
She is annoying as hell. Total and complete slut. She only got through because she wore a bikini and Randy and Simon thought she was hot. She can't sing at all. Kara was right. I'm kind of glad she feuded with Kara, though. I didn't like Kara at first and I thought having a fourth judge was completely unnecessary especially since she seemed so much like Paula. However, after watching her feud with Bikini Girl, I now have a new found respect for her. lol.
Michael Sarver. He was alright. I was suprised at how soft and calm his voice sounded. I expected him to have a deeper, edgier, more rock sound voicing. I guess that was just a stereotypical observation though because of his dangerous occupation and all. He was ok, but I don't see him making it to the top 36.
Arianna Afsar. She was awesome. She's so sweet too! I'd be very suprised if she didn't make it into at least the top 36. I think we'll be seeing her in the top 12 this year.
Amy Wynne-Hughes Urgh! I hate her! It sounds like she screeched through her whole song! How did she get through???
I don't have a picture or video, but I really loved Lea Marie Golde. She sang "Everytime We Touch" by Cascada and brought a huge binder filled with over 100 songs that she wrote for Kara. I'm suprised she didn't get in. I thought she was pretty good and a diligent worker.
I also really enjoyed Stevie Wright. It took me awhile to get used to how different she made "At Last" sound though. She had a really different voice. I think I'd like her more if I heard her sing a different song.
Scott Macintyre served as the heart-warming sob-story of the night. Of course he got through, but he truly deserved it. It's great to see a blind guy who has to work 10 times harder than the other contestants get through. It's even greater when the blind guy is more talented than most of the other contestants. I hope he goes really far on this show.
Well I think that's about all for now. Look for more Idol updates after tomorrow's show!
