TV network Fox has officially announced pop diva Mariah Carey will join American Idol as a judge next season, bringing her star power to the show that remains a ratings leader but has seen its viewership and pop culture status diminish.
Former judge, Aerosmith vocalist Steven Tyler, who joined the show two years ago, announced just on July 12 that he was leaving the program after 2 seasons. On the next day, Jennifer Lopez, who also joined the show in 2010,told host Ryan Seacrest on his radio show that she likely would not be back. Fox executive Kevin Reilly told reporters that he is totally sure that Jennifer Lopez would not return.
American Idol is increasingly under pressure in the ratings from rival shows like Simon Cowell’s X Factor USA and The Voice. Last season’s finale was the least watched in its history and the show is seeing its young, adult audience shrink.
‘ I am so excited to be joining Idol ‘ / Mariah Carey joins American Idol as its new judge
The addition of Mariah Carey continues the genre’s pursuit of big-name stars to attract viewers. In addition to Mariah Carey on Idol, Christina Aguilera is a coach on NBC’s The Voice and Britney Spears will be a new judge and mentor on Fox’s The X Factor.
Kevin Reilly wouldn’t confirm any other members of the Idol judging panel, which currently also includes Randy Jackson, saying the show’s structure now consists of many moving parts. Other judges could be announced as early as the next week.
American Idol suffered a 23 percent fall in ratings last season and is no longer the only singing program in town, with the presence of X Factor and The Voice. Both of those shows will be on in the fall, with American Idol returning in winter.
The biggest recording artist Mariah Carey the next judge in US show American Idol
Original judge Randy Jackson has not yet announced if he will be back for another season, and there were rumors this month that he, together with Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, would be leaving.
But if he’s also headed for the door, it sounds like executive producer Nigel Lythgoe would be agreed with the exit. He said to the reporters that we would like to see American Idol’s change judges every year.
The author of ‘ Amrican Idol : The Untold Story ‘, Richard Rushfield, is not convinced that Mariah Carey will make a big difference.He said : ‘ American Idol needs a game-changer, and this is swapping six of one for half-dozen of the other, albeit one with unimpeachable vocal skills. Coming right on the heels of X Factor with Britney Spears, how exciting is the gimmick of a big fading star sitting at the desk still going to be? ‘
Kevin Reilly said that whole judges could come and go on American Idol more frequently than in the past. ‘ I think change is going to be a part of the show going forward. We’re 12 years old. I think we’ve got to keep it fresh. ‘
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