Lionel Richie In Talks For American Idol Judge

Report from American Idol Net:

Posted: 26 Jun 2017 11:30 AM PDT

We’re still waiting on ABC to finalize their American Idol 2018 panel for both the judges and perhaps even more importantly the host. Now it sounds like the second Judge seat next to Katy Perry may have a name penciled in.

TMZ via MJs shared an update that Lionel Richie is a top pick to join the next Idol team and considering his big name and great talent I think this would be an awesome match for the show:

‘A.I.’ sources tell TMZ … producers think Richie’s legendary music career makes him a perfect pick … credibility and a knack for honing in on what will become popular. Richie is also extremely outgoing, which makes for good TV.

But before ABC picks anyone else up for American Idol’s 2018 return it seems they wisely want to make sure they’ve got Ryan Seacrest locked in for the role of host. Until then I think we’ll be waiting and watching to see what happens with Richie. Hopefully The Voice doesn’t come in and try to steal him away like they did with Clarkson!

If Idol secures Lionel Richie for the American Idol Judges panel to sit with Katy Perry then who do you think should be the third person on that team? Both Richie and Perry have to fall in to the “nice” category, right? Maybe it’s time to try and find a sharper tongue to balance them out? Any suggestions?

American Idol 2018 Auditions: Events Schedule & Details

 News from American Idol Net.

 

American Idol is back and ABC is ramping up their preseason game to get things rolling and that means it’s time to find the first of the American Idol 2018 Hopefuls. Think you’ve got what it takes?

American Idol Bus hits the road – Source: FOX

This year for American Idol the age limits are 15-28 years old, so no changes there from what I remember. Idol will again be holding some audition city events, but not as many as we’ve seen in the past. Instead there are many more bus audition tour stops and you can submit your application and video online. And don’t forget about the ‘direct marketing’ casting efforts that they’re working on. Could be some interesting things ahead for next season of American Idol.

Speaking of next season, this would be American Idol 16, but on the eligibility requirements doc (PDF) from ABC, which you should read if serious about trying out, the new installment is being listed as “American Idol Season 1 on ABC.” I get that they want to differentiate themselves from the show’s history on FOX, but I dunno. Seems weird to try and call it Idol 1 when it’s Idol 16. Anyway, on to the important parts.

American Idol 2018 Auditions:

Open Audition Cities

• Chicago, IL – September 11
• New Orleans, LA – September 14
• (Locations and dates subject to change.)

West Bus Tour

• Portland, OR – August 17
• Oakland, CA – August 20
• Provo, UT – August 23
• Denver, CO – August 26
• Omaha, NE – August 29
• Tulsa, OK – September 1
• Shreveport, LA – September 4
• Muscle Shoals, AL – September 7

East Bus Tour

• Orlando, FL – August 17
• Miami, FL – August 19
• Atlanta, GA – August 22
• Charleston, SC – August 25
• Asheville, NC – August 27
• Louisville, KY – August 30
• Pittsburgh, PA – September 3
• Annapolis, MD – September 5
• Boston, MA – September 8

Can’t make it to any of these locations? Then head over to the online auditions at ABC’s American Idol website. There you can create an account then submit in your info and video to get reviewed for your chance to be on American Idol! ABC also notes that you’re free to try both methods, online and in-person.

Will you be trying out in the American Idol 2018 auditions? If you do then best of luck. We hope to see you on TV performing next season!

American Idol 2018: Ryan Seacrest Still Not Under Contract

American Idol 2018 is official and headed for ABC but so far the wheels aren’t too secure on this fast moving car. At this point they’ve got Katy Perry and, well, that’s about it.

Ryan Seacrest talks American Idol – Source: FOX/YouTube

It was widely expected that Idol’s permanent fixture, Ryan Seacrest, has yet to become permanently attached for the upcoming relaunch of the series. According to Variety, those talks have stalled since the announcement of Katy Perry as one of the American Idol 2018 judges.

I imagine there are lots of obstacles in many contracts, but a few of the issues being raised by Variety could definitely turn an obstacle in to a roadblock. First up is money. Now allegedly ABC budgeted around $38 million for talent and supposedly they earmarked $25 million of that for Katy Perry… Huhwhat? That would leave about $13 million to bring in Ryan Seacrest and presumably two other judges. Yeah.

So say they try to give Ryan Seacrest $10 million, an amount Variety reports, to host American Idol 2018. He’d be there at 40% of what Katy Perry is being paid and would leave just $3M for the other two judges. At that point they’d have to be pretty junior in the musicsphere, right? Ugh.

Variety also brings up the issue that we’ve discussed and that’s location conflicts. Seacrest just moved out to New York per his new contract with ABC. Idol is going to be filmed in LA. So there we go again. That one seems like the none-starter to me, but apparently ABC has been working hard on this and continues to do so.

Really I think they should have secured Ryan first with whatever cost and then got us some decent judges. Katy Perry isn’t worth $25 million a year. Simon Cowell made north of that for a season, but come on, we can’t compare them for their impact on a series like Idol.

What a mess. Come on ABC, please pull this together and get us American Idol in 2018 with it ready to go and all the important pieces, like Ryan Seacrest.

American Idol Net - American Idol 2018 Schedule May Adjust To Support Ryan Seacrest

The American Idol 2018 schedule has yet to be announced, but early details suggest the series could be adjusted to support the return of Ryan Seacrest as the show’s host.

Ryan Seacrest on American Idol – Source: FOX

While it’s been widely expected and rumored that ABC was working to make Ryan Seacrest part of the American Idol 2018 return nothing has been made official just yet. But if they want to get him on board then they’re going to have to work around his busy schedule.

According to PageSix.com, ABC is looking to put American Idol on Sunday nights as a way to avoid an overlay with Seacrest’s weekday obligations for Live with Kelly & Ryan. That’d certainly be easier than the other talks about having Ryan fly back and forth several times a week, dashing between his shows.

Should American Idol’s new schedule air on Sundays that could mean we’re sticking with just one episode a week once things hit the performance and results phase of the season. ABC did this back in 2013 with DWTS as well so the network is probably comfortable with this approach.

But according to Variety, ABC has committed to 40 hours of American Idol broadcasts and there’s no easy way to get there with one night a week episodes through the whole season. Maybe we’ll get a run of nights during the early stages then taper back to once a week with live show performances and results to work with Ryan’s schedule.

So much going on with the American Idol revival on ABC and that’s bringing a lot of questions that we’re excited to have answered. Stick with us on Facebook, Twitter, and by Email Updates to get all that news and more.

American Idol 2018 On ABC Is Official! From American Idol Net

American Idol is back! ABC has officially confirmed and announced that we’ll soon be watching American Idol 2018 on their network with their huge news!

THR reports that it took less than a week after they made an offer to get American Idol on ABC where it will join their reality TV family of shows along with Dancing With The Stars and The Bachelor. This is American Idol… on ABC.

No word yet on who will host or be a judge on Idol’s 2018 season but you can be assured the hunt is on for the talent and I’ll keep my fingers crossed that we could see some familiar faces joining the panel and holding the mic each week.

ABC’s top brass shared lots of excitement for the return of American Idol in their official release this morning:

ABC is bringing back “American Idol.” The network has closed an agreement with producers FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group. Together they will revive television’s most successful and recognized music competition series for the 2017-2018 season, bringing back the fan-favorite and making more dreams come true. A host and judges will be announced at a later time.

“‘American Idol’ on ABC…that has a nice ring to it,” said Ben Sherwood, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney|ABC. “‘Idol’ is an entertainment icon, and now it will air where it belongs, in ABC’s lineup of addictive fan favorites alongside ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and ‘The Bachelor.’ America, get ready for the return of a bigger, bolder and better-than-ever ‘Idol’.”

This is fantastic news and we’re thrilled to see the show going somewhere that will work to build it up rather than whittle it down as it aged there on FOX. Do you think ABC has what it takes to lift the series back up to some of its glory days ratings? Well that’d be no easy task, but let’s hope a year off won’t be too soon for such an ambitious plan.

Thank you, ABC! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for American Idol fans.

Nicki Minaj Discusses Her Role On American Idol 2013

Latest from AmericanIdolnet:

Nicki Minaj may be the most polarizing figure in the American Idol 2013 season, but in this new video from FOX she’s focused on her role in the series.

Nicki says she’s inspired by the process in meeting these Idol Hopefuls just before they become superstars. She sees her job as a supporting role in helping to mold their journey and make them a better artist in the process.

Minaj believes her own background in coming up in the industry helps her look for singers who understand the value in being told “no” and having to try again. Considering the incredible number of repeat faces in the 2013 Top 40 spoilers list I’d say this season of American Idol could be all about trying again.

Jessica Sanchez Prepares For Glee Role And Album Release

Latest news from American Idol 2012:

Jessica Sanchez earned the spot of runner-up last season on American Idol and she’s about to cash in that chip with a round of high-profile events.
In just two more months Jessica will be making some big appearances. First up Jessica will be releasing a new single in January off her upcoming album. That album won’t be out until March or April she says, but she was able to give The Hollywood Reporter some details on what to expect.

The Hollywood Reporter: Let’s talk about your debut album! Who are you working with?
Jessica Sanchez: I’ve been working with amazing people! Harvey Mason, Jr. (Whitney Houston, Pia Toscano, Jordin Sparks, Britney Spears, Toni Braxton, Jennifer Hudson), who has been one of my producers and Toby Gad (Fergie, Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato, One Direction), who has been amazing to work with. I have also been working with mainly Ester Dean (Dean is a co-writer of the Katy Perry hit, “Firework” and Clarkson’s “Mr. Know It All,” among her many credits). There are some other songwriters, too.
THR: Can you give us some details about the record’s direction? “Fairytale” was such a good song. Will that be on there?

Sanchez: Thank you! “Fairytale” is more like a poppy song, that I did, but the album will consist of many different sounds. It’s not stuck on ballads and stuff, but more like urban R&B. But it will still be soulful Jessica. I am going to stay true to what I did on the show, but also what I always wanted to do and who I really am.

On top of her single release and album work Jessica will be appearing on FOX’s “Glee” in a recurring role as part of a story arc. It sounds like this will be a temporary visit, but if it goes really well you never know. As for details on just what she’ll be doing on the show, well, she doesn’t really know yet.

The Hollywood Reporter: What can you tell us about Glee? Do you know anything about your role yet?
Jessica Sanchez: I guess Ryan Murphy talked about it a little bit more about the role I might be playing, but I really have nothing straightforward from him. I really have no idea.
THR: I think he spilled some details about you performing in a choir?
Sanchez: In a choir? I have no idea!
THR: Have you done any acting before?
Sanchez: No, I haven’t. This will be my first time! I can’t wait!

So settle in, Jessica fans, because you’re going to get a run of shows on Glee, a new single release, an album, and even a performance on one of the early American Idol 2013 live shows!

American Idol Net: “American Idol 2012: What To Expect Finale Week” plus 1 more

News from Americanidolnet.com

In three days we will know the winner of American Idol 2012. It seems like it was just yesterday when we first saw Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips stand in front of the American Idol judges for the first time. And now here we are facing finale week.

Things are happening a bit differently this week. The finale performance show will air Tuesday night at 8 pm and the results show, where a new winner will be crowned, will air Wednesday night at 8 pm. 

During Tuesday night’s one-hour finale performance show, Jessica and Phillip will sing three songs each. One will be their favorite performance from earlier in the season, another will be picked by producer Simon Fuller and the final song will be the single they’ll release if they win.

On Wednesday night, the grand finale will feature performances by Rhianna, Aerosmith, and reigning Idol champ Scotty McCreery. We’ll also see the return of the Top 12 as they take the stage for performances. And as always, we can expect all the surprise guests. I’m crossing my fingers for Stevie Nicks to return and join Elise Testone or Phillip on stage.

Take note that the show is scheduled to run for 2 hours and 7 minutes. Set your DVRs accordingly. In fact, add about five minutes extra. American Idol finales never end on time.

It’s going to be quite a week for American Idol.

American Idol 2012 Finalist Joshua Ledet Feels Good Despite Elimination

News from Americanidol.com

He may have been sent home last night on American Idol 2012 but Joshua Ledet is keeping his chin up and staying positive about his prospects in a post-Idol world.

Well, maybe not as chipper as Hollie Cavanagh or Skylar Laine, but pretty darn okay for having just missed the American Idol finale show.

Joshua stopped to talk with Fox’s “All Access” and their “most boring man in the world” interviewer. “I am great. I feel relieved from this whole competition. I feel pretty good,” Joshua explained when asked how he was doing shortly after receiving the elimination news. He went on to add, “making it to the Top 3 was the most amazing feeling ever. I’ve accomplished a lot.”

 Knowing that he wouldn’t be on stage to compete next week Joshua left the American Idol Top 2 with some quick advice. “I told them to leave everything on the stage next week cause there’s only one winner and you guys gotta fight for it.” Looking forward to one more chance to perform as part of the American Idol 2012 finale show Joshua knows exactly who he wants to sing next to.

“It would be Fantasia Barrino because I love her so much.” Idol should be able to make that happen considering she’s a former AI crown winner herself. Going even further forward Joshua said that he doesn’t know for sure what he’ll be doing next since he hasn’t sat down and talked it through, but you’ll definitely be able to see him this summer on the American Idol tour.

American Idol 2012: What Should the Top 4 Sing?

News from AmericanIdolnet.com.

This week on American Idol 2012, The Top 4 will be singing songs from California bands and songs they wish they had written.


Since I have no idea what the Idols wishes are, I’ll just be suggesting songs from bands out of California.

Phillip Phillips,”Pumped Up Kicks,” by Foster the People. I could hear Phillip putting his acoustic spin on this current hit and doing a great job with it. I’m picking this for Phillip only because I think he needs to do something current. I’d much rather hear him sing something from the 1960s California scene like The Doors or Buffalo Springfield. OK, I change my mind, I pick “Light My Fire” by The Doors.

Hollie Cavanagh, “Rhiannon,” by Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood Mac has its origins planted all over the place, including Los Angeles County, California. So the incarnation of the band most people know today kind of qualifies as a California band. So I’d love to hear Hollie take on a Stevie Nicks classic like “Rhiannon.”

Jessica Sanchez, “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey. Or something by Journey. I’m a little over “Don’t Stop Believin” thanks to Glee, but there’s not enough Journey on Idol. I think Jessica could handle some Steve Perry-like vocals. And it would give Randy Jackson a good chance to mention that he played bass for Journey.

Joshua Ledet, “Dance to the Music,” by Sly and the Family Stone. This would be the perfect song for Joshua. Now’s the time for him to do something energetic and powerful at the same time. It’s time to chill out on the screechy ballads for a week, if he wants to edge out one of the remaining girls and make it to the finale.

Jimmy Iovine Gives American Idol Top 4 Some Useful Advice

News from American Idol Net.

After Thursday’s elimination on American Idol 2012 Jimmy Iovine took a few minutes to talk with FOX. Jimmy explained what the Top 4 need to do if they want to make it on to the big season finale in a few more weeks.

First up is Phillip Phillips. Jimmy advises Phillip to “pick a song that isn’t reminiscent of anything he’s done so far. It could still be something that he feels and feels comfortable with, but it’s got to be closer to where he’s going to go with his solo career.”

Jessica Sanchez is told to “stay young, heartfelt, and fun. She can’t go too old with these records or it’s going to hurt her. And that dress last night [shakes head]. They just picked the wrong dress for her.”

Jimmy thinks Wednesday night was “a miracle for [Hollie Cavanagh].” He worries that she isn’t coming on “strong enough,” but he believes she’s “coming on quick and she’s doing really well.”

Joshua Ledet might have the easiest task of all. Jimmy believes he’ll need to “stay steady because he’s doing a great job. What he did last night with “To Love Somebody” was just mind blowing.”

American Idol Judges React To Season 11 Top 6 Elimination

We’ve heard from Elise Testone following her Top 6 elimination on American Idol 2012 and now it’s the judges turn. FOX spoke with all three judges for their reaction, but I’m wishing they had also pulled in Jimmy Iovine for his thoughts.

Randy Jackson had previously predicted Elise to be one of the next two singers to be eliminated (Hollie was the other), but this time around he’s shocked, just shocked that something like this could happen. “I mean Elise? God, ya know, what are you going to do?,” Randy said in regards to her departure from the show. Come on, Randy. Eliminations are inevitable and expected. Randy does give Elise credit for her rendition of “I Want It All” on Wednesday’s American Idol 2012, but apparently it just wasn’t enough to keep her.

The reality check Randy needs comes from JLo who points out “it’s that time in the competition where somebody has got to go.” Jennifer Lopez, the unexpected voice of reason. There’s no shame in exiting at the Top 6 stage of American Idol. Not everyone can make it to the finale. “Elise was one of the best singers, but you’ve still got 5 pretty special people up there that can really, really sing,” Lopez added.

Steven Tyler pointed to Elise’s deviation from the Blues genre as part of the reason behind her elimination. “She’s a great singer. She’s a great blues singer and she needs a little coaching with the rock stuff, but she sings it great,” Tyler explained. Tyler also notes that a lot has changed since America fell in love with Janis Joplin which seems to hint that Elise may need to adapt a little more rather than chasing a shrinking niche.

If you want more catchphrases and “Yo!’s” from Jackson then tune in to the end of the interview video below. Thankfully the other two American Idol judges brought valuable input to the discussion this week. Sheesh, Randy.

Original content from American Idol 2012.

Reactions to Colton Dixon’s Elimination

The American Idol 2012 judges were as shocked as the rest of America last night when once-presumed frontrunner Colton Dixon was eliminated from the competition. So what did they have to say following the shocking news?

Jennifer Lopez clearly wouldn’t have sent Colton home if the decision was hers, but she understands how it happened.

“He was definitely in my Top 5,” Jennifer said. “But at the end of the day, you have to have a great performance every time.”

Randy chimes in in his usual I-don’t-really-care-and-won’t-even-act-like-it monotone.
“It’s tough,” Randy said. “We didn’t want to see him go tonight. But we used the save with Jessica last week.”
The judges all agree that Colton didn’t have to win American Idol to put his stamp on America and that he should have no problems finding his career in music.

Show mentor Jimmy Iovine was as matter-of-fact as always. If you want to get a good understanding of what’s going on with the show, look to Jimmy.

“I thought there was a heavy girl vote going in for all these guys,” Jimmy said. “I didn’t think he’d get voted off for one performance. I did not think the performance last night (Wednesday) was good at all. I thought it was his worst performance and he got voted off for it. Which actually is a healthy thing for the show. I think it should be based on what you did that night.”

Like the judges, Jimmy doesn’t think Colton will have any issues having a music career.
This content is from AmericanIdolnet.com.

Jessica Sanchez Spoke

News from Americanidol.com:

The American Idol 2012 audience and judges weren’t the only ones shocked by this week’s voting results. American Idol hopeful Jessica Sanchez found herself completely blindsided by the outcome when Ryan Seacrest revealed that not only was she in the Bottom 3, but she’d also be forced to sing for her life.
After Wednesday night’s performance show Jessica Sanchez spoke with Zap2It and told them, “I feel good! The reason I wanted to do that song is because I love the artist, and I don’t think she gets recognized enough. I love the song ["Stuttering'], so I’m glad [the judges] all loved it too.” Judge Steven Tyler blamed Jessica’s near-fatal elimination on her song selection while Randy Jackson later said voter complacency was the culprit in her Thursday night shocker.

Use of the Judges’ Save on Thursday night’s American Idol 2012 episode wasn’t a surprise to anyone watching, but it was a first for Idol history. Jessica Sanchez was the first female Idol Hopeful to receive the Save and get a second chance in the competition. All previous recipients had been male, as Idol points out. And perhaps most interesting is that former Idol Hopeful Jennifer Hudson has been the guest performer on four of the five times the Save was put in to play.

Do you think the judges made the right move in saving Jessica Sanchez? Was it just a voting fluke like Randy suggests or is Jessica in more danger than he suspects?

American Medical Systems And Supplies, S.A

News from Americanidol.com:

American Idol 2012 delivered quite the “shocker” last night and it wasn’t just the audience who was stunned, but the judges as well. After Jessica Sanchez began her “Save Me!” song we saw JLo, Randy, and Steven all storm the stage and halt her performance to declare her safety. Sanchez’s elimination by the voting public was negated and the judges were quick to admonish the audience for their actions. After the show ended E! Online caught up with Randy and Steven to discuss what happened and they were happy to share their thoughts.


“I think every season it happens every time,” Randy explained. “It’s funny that Ryan and I were remarking tonight that Jennifer Hudson was on, we used the save for her and she came in sixth. You look at the stardom she’s got, but what I think what happens, honestly, is people forget to vote and they think their favorites are safe. I mean you saw that bottom three. Oh my god, it’s like ‘What’s going on?’”

So Randy was obviously taken back by the American Idol results, but was quick to point out that like Hudson, if Sanchez doesn’t make it to the end she still has plenty of potential for a full career in the music industry. Steven pointed the blame at Jessica’s song choice this week with her performance of “Stuttering” (watch it again).

“They’re all one song away [from elimination], because this is a game show,” he told us. “It’s a reality show where America’s vote is on if they don’t sing [well]. It’s because they don’t have a good song. It doesn’t mean they can’t sing. [Jessica] is as good as it gets and she’s 16.”

Didn’t we just hear the judges tell us this week that song choice wasn’t a potential issue because it’s all about how they sing it? Ah well, anyways.

Randy went on to say that the judges find out the results as the same time as America, so there’s no premeditation for using the Save ahead of that night’s live broadcast. I’d assume all three of them have singers in mind though for who they’d save and who they wouldn’t.

Speaking of saves, I was hoping we’d hear from JLo, but nothing yet. Remember that JLo wanted to use the one-time-only Save for the past two weeks. Could you imagine if they had saved Heejun or DeAndre and then been forced to let Jessica be eliminated?

Next week on American Idol 2012 the slate is wiped clean and the remaining finalists start anew in their pursuit of the Season 11 crown. There are no more saves from the judges and the decision will fall to the voting public. No matter how things turn out I’m expecting some season high votes coming in as the Top 7 take to the American Idol stage once again.