Tyler, Lopez to judge American Idol
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 | 1:57 PM ET
CBC News
Singer Steven Tyler, left, is seen with fellow Aerosmith member Joe Perry in June. Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are the newest American Idol judges. (Claudio Bresciani/Scanpix Sweden/Associated Press)The producers of American Idol confirmed on Wednesday, after weeks of rumours, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and pop diva Jennifer Lopez as the newest judges for the 10th season of TV's popular singing contest.
The top-rated reality competition lost three of its four judges in the past few months amidst rumours of who would join remaining judge and music producer Randy Jackson on the panel.
Rocker Tyler and actress, singer and dancer Lopez were the front-runners amid a long list of potential contenders.
"I want to bring some rock to this rollercoaster and show if you've got the heart, the talent, the feeling to do this you could be the next American Idol," Tyler told host Ryan Seacrest during a live online announcement plagued with audio problems.
Lopez, introduced after Tyler, added: "I'm looking for the next Michael Jackson ... I'm looking for the best American Idol ever."
Jennifer Lopez, seen in New York in June, will join the American Idol judging panel for the upcoming 10th season. (Louis Lanzano/Associated Press)The last edition of the contest, which ended in May, marked the final season for original judge Simon Cowell, infamous for his acerbic, scathing commentary.
Then, in July, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres announced she wasn't returning for the upcoming season.
That bombshell was followed by another earlier this month: that judge and songwriter Kara DioGuardi was also leaving.
Though still a North American TV ratings powerhouse, American Idol has seen a significant slide in viewership in the past few seasons.
Most recently, about 24 million viewers took in the ninth season finale (which crowned Lee DeWyze the latest Idol), compared to the approximately 29 million viewers who watched the 2009 final (in which Kris Allen triumphed over Adam Lambert).
With files from the Associated PressShare Tools
- Assessing Oscar's actress and supporting actress racesby Susan Noakes Feb. 21, 2012 8:05 AM This year's Oscar best actress race features seasoned performers like Meryl Streep and Viola Davies, who rise above the quality of the films they star in, up against younger counterparts making a splash. Meanwhile, the contest for best supporting actress is showcasing talent such as Melissa McCarthy, who came out of the blue, stole the spotlight and impressed Hollywood. Susan Noakes outlines their chances at the Academy Awards.
Top News Headlines
- Graham James apologizes to sex-abuse victims
- Graham James, the former junior hockey coach and convicted sexual abuser whose victims included ex-NHLers Theoren Fleury and Sheldon Kennedy, has told a courtroom: "For my behaviour, I am deeply sorry.… Parents expected sons to be safe; not all were." more »
- Target set to alter Canadian retail landscape
- The buzz surrounding Target Corporation's move into Canada could quickly turn into a backlash if the U.S. retailing giant can't deliver quality goods at prices similar to what it charges south of the border, experts say. more »
- Santorum, Romney spar in Republican debate
- Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum swapped accusations about spending and taxes Wednesday night in the 20th and possibly final debate of the roller-coaster race for the Republican presidential nomination. more »
- Qur'an burning riots kill 2 NATO soldiers
- Two NATO soldiers were shot and killed Thursday by a man wearing an Afghan army uniform who had joined protesters objecting to Qur'an burnings that took place at a U.S. base earlier in the week, says Reuters. more »
Latest Arts & Entertainment News Headlines
- Calgary musician Chris Reimer dies in sleep
- Chris Reimer, the Calgary-based guitarist and vocalist of the noise-rock-pop band Women, died in his sleep on Tuesday, his family has confirmed. more »
- Writing prize taps Trudeau, Macdonald biographies
- Biographies of Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, and one of the most controversial, Pierre Trudeau, are vying for the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. more »
- Oscar campaigning
- The final ballots are in for the 84th Oscars, ending a round of Academy Awards campaigning by powerful producers making the case for their films. Deana Sumanac reports on what's allowed and what isn't in the sport of Oscar arm-twisting. more »
- Tragically Hip get street name in Kingston
- Kingston city council honoured the city's most famous rock 'n' roll band Tuesday night, renaming a section of a downtown street Tragically Hip Way. more »
Q Blog
Liev Schreiber on Q Feb. 23, 2012 8:37 AM Versatile stage and screen actor Liev Schreiber speaks to Jian about his role in the cheerfully violent new hockey comedy Goon, co-written by actor Jay Baruchel.
CBC Books
Donna Bailey Nurse: Caribbean connections Feb. 22, 2012 3:48 PM Throughout February and March, literary journalist, teacher and author Donna Bailey Nurse will be blogging for CBC Books about black Canadian writers and their important works. In her second post, she discusses her family history and some of her early literary discoveries.
- Target set to alter Canadian retail landscape
- 'Faster than light' measurement blamed on loose cable
- Fire at Vancouver restaurant goes to 3 alarms
- Mountie who had sex with superior fights to keep job
- Graham James apologizes to sex-abuse victims
- Alleged B.C. rave rape victim seeks witnesses
- Santorum, Romney spar in Republican debate
- Thief grabs $500K in jewelry in Vancouver
- EU at stalemate on Canada's oilsands ranking
