Here come the 'American Idol' judges
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Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, new judges on the Fox series "American Idol," participate in a panel discussion on the show at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday.
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PASADENA, Calif. -- If you think Jennifer Lopez will be the new Paula Abdul on Fox's "American Idol," think again.
The show's other new judge, Aerosmith star Steven Tyler, came across as the less coherent of the two at a press conference for the show's 10th season, the first without Simon Cowell as a judge.
"American Idol" returns with a two-night season premiere (8 p.m. Jan. 19 and 20, WPGH) that introduces the show's new judging lineup as Mr. Tyler and Ms. Lopez join returning judge Randy Jackson, who claims his style of critique will change on the new panel. He promised fewer "yo's" and "dawgs" -- at least when he's on the show.
"I think you'll see a more assertive dawg, a different kind of dawg, more hair on the dawg," Mr. Jackson said, adding that speculation about who will be the new "mean one" -- Mr. Cowell's role -- is pointless. "You'll still hear all of that from us. We'll still give [contestants] a full read."
Mr. Jackson said Mr. Cowell is loved and missed but that contestants auditioning for "Idol" are in awe of Ms. Lopez and Mr. Tyler.
"We bring a different perspective than any of the judges who came before us," Ms. Lopez said. "We're artists. We've been up there, we've auditioned, we've been through the ranks. ... There's nothing like having that discussion with another artist to help you grow and move onto the next level."
Mr. Tyler offered an example of the type of criticism he plans to offer a contestant who hasn't fared well: "I would say if we didn't see it in you and you got too much attitude, you need to bring the full thing. Even though the best of us have the best attitudes, you gotta have the whole deal. You gotta have the voice. You gotta have what it's all about."
Despite that example, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said the new judges will bring more of a critique than "pack your suitcase, you're going home. To stop you from packing your suitcase, this is what you should be doing."
Ms. Lopez said she was a "bedroom judge" in the past, watching the show at home. When asked why he agreed to join "Idol," Mr. Tyler said, "I'm not totally sure yet," and acknowledged some razzing from AeroÂsmith colleagues. But he's glad to be working with Ms. Lopez.
He said he saw her in the flop movie "The Back-Up Plan" and was impressed, which made him eager to work with her on "Idol."
First Published January 12, 2011 12:00 am
