WHO: Entertainment president Kevin Reilly and chairman Peter Rice.
PREDICTIONS: Duh.
9:56 am: Rice addresses the Abdul situation head-on. “Paula will not be returning to Idol,” he says. “It’s very saddening for us.” He goes on to break down what exactly happened: They offered her a “substantial raise” to return and she turned it down. As a result guest judges — including Katy Perry and Victoria Beckham — will fill the void during the early audition rounds. “Between now and January we will come up with a more permanent solution… [and find] a replacement for Paula. We’re very sad she’s not coming back.” He concedes that the new season will now have ”a different dynamic and energy…. But there’s also something exciting about that.”
9:59 am: Any chance Abdul might change her mind? “We have concluded our negotiations and Paula has announced that she is not [returning].”
10:04 am: The four-judge format will continue on Idol.
10:06 am: On the surprise renewal of Dollhouse, Rice says the show maintained a solid core audience and “the season got stronger and stronger creatively.”
10:10 am: Rice says they started thinking two weeks ago about contingency plans re: Abdul when her agent made that ominous statement to the press. He adds that Perry and Beckham are one-off guest judges and don’t represent a long-term fix. “All of the people we’re talking to have successful careers and I don’t think they’d be available [for a full-time gig].” The main criteria for a new permanent judge will be someone who has “great chemistry” with Kara, Simon, and Randy.
10:20 am: Rice concedes that “there is going to be a change” next season on Idol. “And we have to look at that as a positive change now. We have to look at it as an opportunity to bring a new energy to the show.” Adds Reilly: “[Idol] is ultimately about the contestants.”
10:21 am: Reilly says there are no plans to air the remaining King of the Hill episodes beyond the one-hour finale in September.
For more on today’s exec session, read Lynette Rice’s recap over at Hollywood Insider.
Victoria Beckham?! you’ve got to be joking…
Beckham was once a singer in the Spice Girls, why not?
good lord, just cancel the show now!
There is just nothing left to say – the producers are idiots.
Talk about a back-handed slap at Kara too. No one liked the 4-judge format – they couldn’t even figure out how to produce it correctly! Yet given that they now have a chance to go back to 3 judges using who they still have, they are opting not to. WTG Kara!
What?!? Why would they string along that stupid four judge setup. I thought the whole point of Kara last season was to work her in as a future replacement. She is Paula’s replacement. Don’t go hiring some other idiot. We only really need Simon. The rest are cannon fodder.
So True!!! They couldn’t even get the show to come in on time with 4 judges why would they want to continue that when they have the perfect opportunity not to. Simon is really the only opinion that matters anyway!!
“[Idol] is ultimately about the contestants,” so “The four-judge format will continue on Idol.” Because the endless, mind-numbing gab soooo helps their cause.
I know… Ugh.
I predict this next season of American Idol will be a complete train wreck!!!!! I don’t think the producers and network have any idea how to fix this show and it is fast spiraling down…down…down……..
The four judge format did not work. But, if they decide to go with it then they need to get someone younger on there. Someone who is relevant….
The producers of American Idol are SO out of touch with what their viewers would like. I would not be surprised to see Idol lose it’s position in American pop culture. This has very little to do with Paula leaving, although that doesn’t help Idol either. Thousands (maybe even millions) of viewers have been telling the producers through internal and external fan sites/blogs that they:
1. do not care for Kara
2. wish Randy would say something credible
3. wish for less blatant judge manipulation of results
4. want less chatter and product placement and more singing.
Until the producers start making changes that reflect their audience and not their own self serving desires (or opportunities to make money…Hey Ben Stillers here dressed as a bird, thatmust mean that Meet The Flockers comes out soon) the show will continue to alienate it’s viewers.
3. By that, I hope you mean not pimping certain contestants (Danny) in order to throw others (Allison) under the bus. If that is what you mean… than yes! You are spot on!
No one likes Kara, so Idol rather screw the show over even more to try to find a replace judge for Kara.
I think the executive who said “Idol is ultimately about the contestants” should remember that Idol is also about the audience. When he’s wrapped his head around those two truths, he should pass this information on to the frat boys (Idol producers, Seacrest, Cowell and Jackson) who waste our time with amusing or antagonizing each other. It is out of hand and approaching ridiculous. Maybe Simon will pee in Randy’s Coke this year and then the producers can short-sheet Seacrest’s bed. Good contestants performing interesting arrangements equals large viewing audience. Anything less is a waste of viewer time. Get it together, fellas.
1. Good suggestions for pranks/revenge!
2. You are right! We don’t tune in to hear Kara sing “my guy”, we don’t tune in to hear Randy say “dawg” for the billionth time. We tune in to hear Adam sing “mad world” or Kris sing “falling slowly” and Allison sing “someone to watch over me”. Moments on the Idol stage is what we tune in for.
This show is “about the contestants” my ass. This show has never been about the singers.
well, that’s what the judges think – that it’s about them.
This guy is stupid!!!!
They did just fine with 3 judges for years, I don’t see why they need to go out of their way to bring in a new fourth now.
Indeed! If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
Katy Perry, serously, if anyone saw her performance during top 3 results show, then they know girlfriend can’t sing w/o the help of autotune. YUCK! Posh Spice, I can take or leave.
the same thing happened on the Simon Cowell produced X Factor in England. One of the regular judges, Louis Walsh, was fired or quit, I forget which.
A week into judging and Cowell calls Walsh and talks him into coming back.
I completely expect the same here.
Katy Perry? The last thing I want to see is someone who can’t sing to save her life (especially live!) judge other singers! At least Paula (not a strong voice, but far better than Perry) offers educated advice.
YAY! someone shares my feelings! Areiously, why is Katy Perry topping the charts?
oops, I meant to say, seriously
I know what can make the show next season more fun! How about a drinking game: here are the rules, everytime Randy says “Dawg”, “Pitchy”, or “For me, for you” and when Kara drones on about “artistry” you take a shot. It’d be fun for you and your frineds!
Not a good idea! I would be drunk all the time or hung over the day after when I have to go to work.