It’s over “dawg!” Randy Jackson is leaving “American Idol.”
Jackson, who was one of the original judges along with Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, is said to be officially leaving the show. However, producers say he will remain as an occasional “mentor,” calling him the “glue that keeps the show together.”
After 11 seasons, “American Idol” has found itself struggling in the ratings. Similar shows like “The Voice” and “The X Factor” have been siphoning off viewers by presenting a more exciting format and a contemporary judging panel, whereas AI has remained somewhat stale and predictable.
Producers elected to shake things up this year by adding Mariah Carey to replace departing judge Jennifer Lopez. They are also reportedly very close to signing Nicki Minaj as well. Mariah Carey isn’t a fan of Minaj and doesn’t want her at the table, but producers love the potential for conflict, believing the tension will be good for the show. Producers also hope to add someone from the country music world to the 3rd seat, while the 4th is still up in the air.
“American Idol” is the granddaddy of televised talent shows, but its reign may be fading toward an almost certain demise. The fact that producers need to spice up the show by adding big names to the judge’s table who will cause conflict, says a lot about the state of the long running program.
When did it stop being about the talent?
