American Idol Judges still not signed

American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe still hasn't given up on landing Elton John for the Fox reality competition's tenth-season judging panel.

More...

"I'm still very supportive of Elton John," he told reporters while walking the red carpet at Sunday night's Emmy Awards, the New York Times reported Monday. "[But] I don't believe negotiations have gone well."

While Steven Tyler has been widely reported to have already signed a deal to join Idol's judging panel and Jennifer Lopez has been reported to still possibly be in negotiations to join him, Lythgoe said that original Idol judge Randy Jackson is the only person currently inked to a judging contact.

"To set the record straight, what judges do we have signed on right now?" a Los Angeles Times reporter asked.

"As far as I know -- and I could be wrong with this -- Randy Jackson," Lythgoe replied.

"No J-Lo, no Steven Tyler? None of that yet?" the reporter asked.

"We're still in negotiations," Lythgoe replied.

According to Lythgoe -- who rejoined the show last month following a two-year absence -- he doesn't know what Idol's tenth-season judging panel will look like yet.

"No, not at this point, I don't think so," he told the Times when asked if he knows who will end up on the show's tenth-season judging panel.

"We're going to wait and see who says yes, because at the end of the day it's going to be the chemistry between the judges that counts. So while we're in this state of seeing whether people are available -- and that's the difficulty, you're asking them to open up four months of their calendar."

Fox has repeatedly declined to comment on the composition of the show's tenth-season judging panel but said the panel will be announced by the time the season's nationwide callback auditions begin with the judges begin in mid-September.

Reports that American Idol has been targeting John to replace departed judge Simon Cowell have circulated since January despite denials from the British singer. Lythgoe first went public with his support for the idea in March.

[Source]

Nigel Lithgoe mentions American Idol on So You Think You Can Dance - oops

Well, watching SYTYCD tonight and couldn't believe hearing Nigel's slip of the tongue - - - "American Idol"

Wait - What?

I don't know how I hadn't heard this news yet - I guess I really am working too much - but here is the latest news:

Two years after he quit, Nigel Lythgoe may be set to return to 'American Idol,' and word is that he's ready to clean house.

According to 'The Hollywood Reporter,' "Nasty Nigel" is close to signing a deal with Fox to be named executive producer. It's reportedly part of the network's "master plan to reboot the show" following declining ratings and mega-judge Simon Cowell's recent departure. And the seats at judges' table are, it would seem, ALL up for grabs under a new regime.

Execs have been scrambling to fill Cowell's chair with a high-profile music industry insider, and the many names so far linked with the spot have included Sean Combs, Quincy Jones, Bret Michaels and Harry Connick, Jr.

The previous front runner was thought to be singer Chris Isaak, but it's now rumored that at the top of 'American Idol' chief Simon Fuller's wishlist are Elton John and Justin Timberlake. And that although Fuller's been after Elton John for some time -- so far unsuccessfully -- Lythgoe could be the one to sign him, or even him and Timberlake.

But what happens to the current judges? Lythgoe told a reporter in April that if he was in charge at 'American Idol' he'd replace all of them, and he also criticized the decision to up the number of judges from three to four, saying it was "distracting" for the viewers. He's on record as saying that his choice as judges would be: Elton John (him again), Paula Abdul and Usher.



Rumors have been circulating for weeks that Fox and Fuller want to get rid of all the judges, and it's been noted that newbie Kara DioGuardi's one-year-at-a-time deal hasn't yet been renewed, and that Randy Jackson's only got one year left on his contract. Getting rid of Ellen DeGeneres could be tricky as she signed a multi-year deal with Fox, and a source close to her says she's prepared to fulfill her contract with 'American Idol.'

Originally a dancer and choreographer, Lythgoe worked his way through the TV industry in the U.K. until in 2000 he became famous as the outspoken head judge on talent show 'Popstars.' He later worked with Simon Fuller to create the hit show 'Pop Idol,' which they turned into a worldwide TV franchise, including 'American Idol.' Lythgoe ran the show for seven seasons before he left to launch 'So You Think You Can Dance,' where he's also a judge. So far there's been no word on whether he'll have a seat at the revamped 'Idol' judges' table.

But the clock's ticking to get it all wrapped up. 'American Idol' auditions have already begun taping with the current judges in place and Peter Rice, new entertainment chairman at Fox, said that he expects the new judge (or judges?) to be out on the auditions roadshow in early September. Lythgoe and Fuller are also up against Simon Cowell in the race to sign celebrity judges as he's launching 'The X Factor' in the U.S. next year.

The tenth season of 'American Idol' is due to premiere on Fox in January 2011.

'The X Factor' is slated to debut on Fox in September 2011.

Well, there you have it - who would you choose as judges?

I'd lose Randy Jackson, he can focus on ABDC and keep Ellen, for now.... Kara can go too - she annoys me... and Simon is gone so who is up? I like the idea of Usher or JT but I just can't see them doing it - the judging seems to go to has-been artists like Paula Abdul... i dunno... am I wrong?

List your Top 3 picks for American Idol judges IF you had the final say?

[Source]