Here is your first glimpse of the new American Idol 2011 judges panel as the newly formed trio made their first stop in New Jersey. Nigel Lythgoe, the former executive producer who returned this year, tweeted a photo of the entire team: Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson, and Ryan Seacrest.
It’s weird to see Randy Jackson sitting in Simon’s seat, but I guess it’s more appropriate when compared with the idea of putting Tyler or Lopez there.
Great to see American Idol back on track though and things moving toward the January 2011 premiere. Are you ready for things to get started?
American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe tweeted the first picture of the upcoming season's crew of American Idol judges -- newbies Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez and old guard Randy Jackson -- along with host extraordinaire Ryan Seacrest, doing their official duty at American Idol auditions for season 10.
Seeing the gang all together is totally giving me Idol fever (not to be confused with Bieber fever). But isn't it odd seeing Randy in Simon's old seat? I mean, I get that he's
the only original judge remaining and has a certain level of seniority,
but for me, the dawg never had any real clout in terms of judging. Jenny
from the Block and Steven both seem pretty at home in their new digs.
Congratulations go out to American Idol’s Crystal Bowersox on the news of her engagement to fellow musician Brian Walker. People reports the news which was relayed to them by Bowersox’s own publicity, making rather well confirmed:
Crystal Bowersox, the American Idol runner-up, is engaged to musician Brian Walker and they plan to tie the knot next month, her rep tells PEOPLE exclusively.
It’s the first marriage for Bowersox, 25, who has a son, Tony, 1 ½, from a previous relationship. Bowersox is currently recording her debut album.
As her career takes off, her love life has also been on fast-forward.
Brian Walker has been credited with naming the Idol runner-up with the moniker “Mama Sox.” Look for the happy couple to tie the knot in October before some sort of inevitable coupled tour. What do you think of Crystal’s exciting news?
It won’t be just the judges changing for American Idol 2011, says Nigel Lythgoe, the returning Executive Producer for Idol. Lythgoe detailed the addition of a music industry giant, Jimmy Iovine, and something I’m very excited about, the end of jamming the square peg through the round hole theme weeks.
Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, will be a regular presence on the show, helping to coach the Idol hopefuls throughout the competition. To aid him, Iovine will also recruit high-profile music producers, including Timbaland and Polow Da Don, to work behind the scenes with the contestants.
Theme weeks will focus less on specific artists and niche genres. “We are no longer going to get the country singer to sing rock, or the rock singer to sing country,” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said. “The styles of music will be more about decades, rather than an individual artist’s music.”
The push to have improved singer performance every week screams of preemptive strikes against the upcoming premiere of X Factor where the judges will spend the season actually trying to help the contestants and not just give them sound bits of advice. I can’t wait to see the positive impact this will have on American Idol.
Today at 1PM ET (10AM PT) Ryan Seacrest will announce live who will be our American Idol 2011 judges! You can watch the event right here in the live stream video below with the American Idol “Meet the Judges” press conference.
While we wait for the news, do you think they’ll confirm Randy, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler as the new (and returning in Randy’s case) judges for American Idol? I hope they go back to just the three judges rather than four like last year.
Update @ 1:03PM ET: Randy Jackson confirmed to return.
Update @ 1:05PM ET: Steven Tyler is confirmed with an introduction to the stage by Seacreast after a video montage proclaiming him to be an iconic rockstar.
Update @ 1:10PM ET: Jennifer Lopez is getting her video introduction now, so she’s another definite. Lopez comes out in a cloud of smoke.
So there you have your new American Idol judges: Randy, Steven, and JLo. Ryan groups them and says, “this is American Idol!” What are your thoughts on the new panel of judges?
American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe 
Congratulations go out to American Idol’s Crystal Bowersox on the news of her engagement to fellow musician Brian Walker. 