Jessica Simpson Rumored To Replace Simon Cowell As 'American Idol' Judge

via MTV News

Today's "American Idol" rumor about the potential replacement for Simon Cowell has reality TV veteran and pop singer Jessica Simpson possibly stepping in to replace the cantankerous British judge who split after season nine.

According to Entertainment Weekly, an unnamed source close to the "Newlyweds" star said Simpson has had several meetings with "Idol" brass about possibly joining the show for the upcoming tenth season, which kicks off in January 2011. A representative for Simpson told MTV News she had no comment on the report.

"I'm not sure whether her people approached 'Idol,' or if it was the other way around," according to the source, who noted that the "Dukes of Hazzard" star is just one of "dozens" of candidates who have reportedly been considered for the gig. Simpson joins a list that does not, however, include Elton John or Justin Timberlake, who were rumored to be in contention for the slot before their reps denied that either would be considering the spot on America's #1 show. Meetings between "Idol" producers and John and Timberlake reportedly took place several months ago and were non-starters.

The spate of rumors comes on the heels of reports that former "Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe is expected to return to the show for the upcoming season and that the "So You Think You Can Dance" judge/producer might be considering major changes to the remaining judging panel to give the show a boost. An "Idol" spokesperson has offered no comments on the Lythgoe, Timberlake and John rumors and could not be reached for reaction to the Simpson news at press time. Fox had no comment on the Simpson rumors, either.

The show's producers have not announced when they would reveal the name of Cowell's replacement, but the unnamed source told EW that "Idol" network Fox's "dream scenario" would be to make a big announcement at its event at the 2010 Television Critics Association Press Tour on Monday (August 2). Among the other names reportedly in contention for the gig are singers Chris Isaak and Harry Connick Jr.

A Return At ‘Idol’ Could Mean More Changes

via The New York Times

Signaling that changes might be coming to “American Idol,” one of the original executive producers, Nigel Lythgoe, is expected to return next season, four people with knowledge of the negotiations said this week.

Mr. Lythgoe’s imminent return renewed speculation in the television business about who will be cast to replace Simon Cowell, the British judge who bid farewell to the singing competition last May.

Mr. Lythgoe’s return also suggests that the changes will not stop at Mr. Cowell’s chair. Amid a gradual decline in the franchise’s ratings, the show’s producers, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, and its distributor, the Fox network, appear willing to implement sweeping changes.

“Everybody is looking at everything right now, which I actually think is really healthy,” said one person involved in the show’s production. “It’s about making the whole show better.”

The people insisted on anonymity because Mr. Lythgoe’s return had not been announced and because other changes to the show had not been decided upon. There is likely to remain a veil of silence about the future of “Idol” for several more weeks; Fox is eying early September for an announcement about the judges panel.


America’s No. 1 reality show, “Idol” pulled in 25.2 million viewers on Tuesday nights and 23.6 million viewers on Wednesday nights during the ninth season, which ended in May. But like most aging television shows, its audience is eroding and the median age of its viewers is getting older. A desire to turn around the ratings is adding pressure to the deliberations by the “Idol” producers.

Mr. Lythgoe helped to bring the “Idol” format to America from Britain in 2002. He was an executive producer on the series until 2008, when he departed, saying at the time that he needed to concentrate on another Fox show, “So You Think You Can Dance,” which he produces and judges.

His return — which is expected to be finalized later this week — is tied to the long-simmering tensions between FremantleMedia, which handles the TV production, and 19 Entertainment, which administrates the singing careers of the “Idol” stars. He and the “Idol” creator Simon Fuller are a part of 19 Entertainment, a unit of a company called CKX.

The other executive producers, Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Ken Warwick, work for Fremantle. They will remain in their positions.

Mr. Warwick did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday night, but he told The Wrap that Mr. Lythgoe “will return as CKX’s representative on the show.” Seeming to counter initial reports that Mr. Lythgoe would take charge and reboot “Idol,” Mr. Warwick added, “he will most certainly not be taking over the ’reins’ of the production.”

One person involved in the show’s production likened the return of Mr. Lythgoe to a “very dysfunctional family reunion.”

The show’s other judges are currently Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres. Rumored replacements for Mr. Cowell have included Elton John, Chris Issak and Harry Connick, Jr., The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the news of Mr. Lythgoe’s return Tuesday night, said Tuesday that Justin Timberlake was also on Mr. Fuller’s “wish list.”

Fox, Freemantle and 19 Entertainment all declined to comment Wednesday.

With changes probable on the horizon, the mini-industry that has crept up around “Idol” is trying to re-assert itself heading into the tenth season. Fox said in a news release last week that 16,000 people attended the first “Idol” audition in Nashville on July 17. The network said “more than 10,000″ attended the second audition in Milwaukee on July 21.

The news release included a statement from Mr. Fuller that “these attendance figures are significantly up on the last few years, and there is clearly renewed excitement and interest in the show, which is great to see.”

Clay Aiken wants to replace departing judge Simon Cowell on 'American Idol'

via NY Daily News

He may not have a British accent, a limitless supply of tight T-shirts or a sharp-tongued talent for criticism, but "American Idol" alum Clay Aiken thinks he would make a great replacement for departing judge Simon Cowell.

"I've always thought it would be a great addition to the panel to have someone who's a former contestant and knows what it's like to be up on that stage and be critiqued," Aiken, 31, told Billboard.com.

He added, "I would not put myself out there to be as caustic as [Cowell] is, but if they want to call me, bring it on. We can talk."

Aiken's comments place him among a bevy of stars rumored to be in the running to fill Cowell's shoes. Among others, Perez Hilton, Howard Stern, Elton John, Harry Connick Jr., and Bret Michaels have all reportedly been in talks with the show.

Before the season two runnerup could join Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres at the judging table, though, Aiken's got a lot of work to do.

The singer released his fifth album, "Tried and True" on June 1, and is teaming up with season two winner Ruben Studdard for an upcoming tour.

"We've been talking for years about trying to do something together and had never really found the time to do it," Aiken said.

"It's kind of a musical revue of sorts — some of the biggest hits and greatest songs, from our point of view — and songs that have influenced us from over the past five decades," Aiken said about the tour. "We're really good friends and have a great time when we're together, so I think it's going to be a lot of fun to do a tour like this, for us and for the audiences, too."

'American Idol' Lowers Its Age Limit

via People

Has Bieber-fever invaded American Idol?

On the heels of Justin Bieber‘s massive success, the talent show announced it will lower its eligibility age to 15 for season 10, reports USA Today.

“A lot of young, talented people are now seeking careers and representation before they turn 16,” Idol executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz says. “Lowering the age limit allows us to tap into this talent pool.”

The show’s age limit was previously 16 to 28.

FOX also recently announced Idol will begin accepting online auditions via MySpace. Does that mean the show is looking for the next Greyson Chance, the 12-year-old whose video version of Lady Gaga‘s “Paparazzi” went viral?

Auditions for the next season of American Idol begin July 17 in Nashville.