‘American Idol’ season 12: Exec talks Adam Lambert, Harry Connick Jr.
Even though there has been no official indication yet that Nigel Lythgoe has even signed on for sure to return as executive producer for “American Idol” season 12, it has been pretty much assured that he will be coming back — and with that, he engaged in a lengthy discussion on Twitter Saturday over some of the people who could be ideal judges for the show following the news that both Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are leaving after two seasons.
First things first, Nigel started off all sorts of controversy by chiding Adam Lambert fans for tweeting him time and time again that the former season 8 star should come back to the show as a judge:
“I am not impressed by Adam’s fans cluttering my ‘personal’ twitter site with their request for Adam to be a judge on #IDOL. It doesn’t help.”
We’re certainly not going to say anything negative about anyone being passionate, especially since this passion is what sets Adam’s fans apart from many others. The one argument that Nigel was probably trying to make (had he versed it better) was that he wants to hear other viewpoints as well, and it is hard to find them in the midst of hundreds of messages all about one person.
In moving beyond that, there were a number of interesting suggestions that were sent in Nigel’s direction — including Cheryl Cole, Ben Folds, Harry Connick Jr., and Kelly Clarkson. The problem with many of these names? With the exception of Connick, all of these people are well-known for judging other reality shows, and would just make the show feel as a whole like it was “The X Factor,” “Duets,” or any of the other programs that they were on. (With that being said, Folds was a particularly great judge on a show that was killed in a bad timeslot last fall.) Connick may actually be a good choice in that he is charismatic, knows music incredibly well, and is not going to be someone who sits there and feeds contestants lines about how “beautiful” that their voices are. We’d be on board for a panel hat consisted of Adam, Harry, and Mariah Carey — who is supposedly in deep discussions to come on the show for a hefty paycheck exceeding $15 million.
Who do you think would be the two best judges to join Mariah on a panel next season? To check out some more news pertaining to Adam in particular, be sure to visit the link here.
Photo: Fox
TerBear14
July 23, 2012 @ 10:47 am
I think Adam would be a great judge on Idol. I also thought Harry was a great mentor on Idol, I don’t remember the insulting Ellen part at all, and would make a good judge. I am not a fan of Mariah at all. If she is a judge and Adam isn’t I will not be watching Idol next season, not because Adam isn’t going to be on my TV each week but because Mariah is.
Jem
July 23, 2012 @ 9:39 am
I think Adam Lambert, Mariah Carey & Harry Connick Jnr would be great, especially Adam, but shouldn’t there be someone on the judging panel who actually works in the recording industry (as Simon Cowell does)?
Gina
July 23, 2012 @ 9:06 am
I am a big Adam fan however I don’t want him to be a judge. He is beyond this show now! Idol has seen better days and needs to just go away.
Lauriellen
July 23, 2012 @ 4:55 am
Ryan Seacrest talked to Nigel on his radio show and discussed JLo and Steven leaving. One of the things Nigel said was that he was part of the selection of the original judge selection of Simon, Randy and Paula.
No one in the US knew who Randy and Simon were because they were industry insiders, not celebrities. Kara was added later and she was a writer and also an insider. As judges left, they were replaced by more celebrities.
Nigel said that what made the original panel work was not the individuals, but the dynamic of the three.
I think Adam would make the perfect judge as he spent years in musical theater, has a classically trained voice, good taste, is intelligent, respectful and gorgeous and was a contestant. So he knows exactly what the contestants need to hear during the judging.
As far as who else to put there with him, I say NOT to put a celebrity diva who is just trying to get face time, resurrect a fading career or looking for a platform. Those people could be mentors or guest judges, although there have been some really bad guest judges and mentors who are just there for the chance to plug their latest work instead of truly mentoring the contestants.
M.Lourdes
July 23, 2012 @ 12:28 am
Oh, I forgot.
We need Adam’s music because he is the best and if mr Nigel is not happy with us, Adam’s fans, well…to bad for him.
RIP American Idol.
Yes, it would not be fair to blame Adam for that sinking ship.
After all, he has a big future ahead of him.
Who else has Queen invited to sing with them in more then 20 years mr. Nigel?
Green with envy most of other “artists”, you know who you are.
Yep, Adam is busy and to good for AI.
M.Lourdes
July 23, 2012 @ 12:17 am
I did not write to mr. nigel but if he wants an honest opinion, to have Adam on the show it would be the ONLY way I would see that show again, so….he can do the math, maybe one times….a few million people that think the same.
But I am not sure if that show is good enough for Adam, sorry but these last few years A.I. has gone down, lots of competion and I really do not like the rules.
People are not dumb and that the winner is always a white christian, all american boy (nothing wrong with that) is a bit boring.
They really need to take a good look at that show but it would be a pleasure to see Adam, imagine that, someone with a great voice, and who knows about music.
Adam, Justin Timberlake and Leona Lewis.
glamity58
July 23, 2012 @ 12:09 am
I am torn. People who don’t like or follow Adam really have missed out. He is a very articulate and clever speaker, charismatic, and I’m sure would not be wishy washy on this show. But as a big fan, I am torn because I think he belongs on stage singing with Queen and doing his own tour. IDOL is a sinking ship and I don’t believe anyone can save it. I don’t want him to take the blame for any continued drops in ratings, which is sure to happen. 12 years is a long time to be on TV for anything. Adam could make the show better, but will he be given that change? Who knows? People will point to his lack of success in terms of airplay/charts, when in fact he does well internationally and had years of trials in the music business prior to IDOL which sets him apart from many of the contestants. He traveled the world in musical theatre, wrote songs and performed in a rock band, and wrote songs and sang in the Zodiac show. He’s done interesting things. Nothing like Harry Connick and others who are understandably much older and have done more (I do love Harry and Mariah). Adam would be different.
opbaby
July 22, 2012 @ 7:18 pm
My initial response was “GO ADAM!” But as I read through the article, I started changing my mind. Nigel’s reaction of irritation to the Glamily just shows to me that he may not be a great person to work with. So, my final take on Adam being an Idol judge: NO GO for ADAM! AL deserves more and if he is just going to judge in a dying show, even if he does owe his career to it, I think it is best he move on. Anyway, his career is doing great these days. Just my opinion.
Marlene
July 22, 2012 @ 5:20 pm
Adam Lambert & Justin Timberlake would be the very best choice!! both are funny, great with people, and are the best at their craft.
LA
July 22, 2012 @ 4:05 pm
Well how else do fans get across the message of who they would like to see since Nigel put it out to the public. I can’t believe Nigel took this in such a negative way… SYTYCD & AI are done by votes, how else is he going to know who a favorite it?? kind of stupid and hypocritical if you ask me Nigel. Take a chill pill and take it for how it is meant. Adam has passionate fans, think of the viewership and the $$ Nigel…. if he can’t then let AI die, your last judges were nothing but spineless cheerleaders and you didn’t listen when people wrote in about that, so maybe it’s time to just can it ,if you can’t accept public opinion which is what you want, right??!!
Internetos
July 22, 2012 @ 2:53 pm
ADAM LAMBERT IS THE BEST CANDIDATE. I know I didn’t bring anything new, but I have no other choice. Adam is the best by far. I am sorry Nigel haven’t been able to handle other opinions so far (I know it is hard) but he has to overcome this matter because IT COMES WITH THE TERRITORY. In other words, it is his responsibility to deal with passionate fans and (at the same time) to select the best judges regardless their passion (i.e. love for Adam). There are two different things and I am sure in the end, Nigel will be able to make the right choice.
Judy
July 22, 2012 @ 2:41 pm
American Idol is dying and it’s losing it’s audience to The Voice. I have also read that the budget will be cut. Can new judges resurrect this show? The voting system has to be changed and it should include position on I Tunes. If the show can be saved they should give it a total makeover. Alums working with the contestants would be a great idea and would teach them exactly how to perform on a stage and connect with the audience and the judges should provide constructive criticism (not telling everyone “that was beautiful”). No one can take the place of Simon but after he left the show went downhill.
I would love to see Adam as an AI judge or mentor but I’m sort of on the fence because I don’t want him connected to a show that has run its course and will fade into oblivion anyway.
jade
July 22, 2012 @ 2:28 pm
adam lambert is magic-good singer and good personaity-hes the ebst[all over the world is crazy about him ;al over the world wil watch adam lambert a a ai judge belive me.asian countries people- brazil -europe and etc.
Glambert and Proud
July 22, 2012 @ 2:12 pm
Adam lambert should be judge on idol for allot of reasons well Adam
Came on idol season 8 and he became a runnie-up even he helped idol to sing for alves and these are allot of reasons for Adam to be a judge !!
Glambert and Proud
July 22, 2012 @ 2:12 pm
Adam lambert should be judge on idol for allot of reasons well Adam
Came on idol season 8 and he became a runnie-up even he helped idol to sing for alves and these are allot of reasons for Adam to be a judge
bette
July 22, 2012 @ 1:19 pm
I think Adam Lambert would be terrific. Smart, personable, honest, fun to look at each week with his sense of style, but he needs to be with a dynamic and charismatic female judge, and someone from the music industry, like an LA Reid, who has deep and respected experience as a music industry god, insider. I do not like the idea of Conick. Perhaps a film star who has musical talent?
Beverly
July 22, 2012 @ 1:19 pm
Nigel and Harry are two men who do not seem to handle frustration and “lesser” peoples’ opinions well. I recall a couple of occasions when, on SYTYCD, Nigel grimmaced and shouted “Shut up!” to audiences who booed his opinions. This was shocking, rude and uncalled for in that SYTYCD is based on viewer participation — NOT “viewer participation that is comfortable for Nigel.” I wrote a complaint that I liked to watch the young people’s talent and did not want to be bothered with Nigel’s self-importance and ego. Now, he suggests to Adam’s fans that they shut up and get off his back when they use the PUBLIC twitter to tweet their support. He suggests to them that their opinions are “turning him off.” And I recall that Harry was obnoxiously insulting to Ellen when she was an AI judge and he was mentoring a contestant. He was so intense that he was not entertaining. I thought, “Lighten up, Harry!” Maybe it’s time for FOX to let go of AI.