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For the past year, since Simon Cowell announced last January that he would leave American Idol to focus on bringing The X Factor to the U.S., there has been relentless speculation whether the veteran reality show would survive without its signature star. As Idol launched its 10th season tonight with new judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler and new Wednesday-Thursday airing pattern, we’re finally starting to get answers. Here is an excerpt from TVLine’s Idol expert Michael Slezak’s first take on the premiere. (Check TVLine in the morning for his recap):
“Admittedly, night one of Idol 10.0 wasn’t its most thrilling installment of all-time ever, but the show’s increased emphasis on truly talented singers — and its decision not to belabor audition packages from the talentless, the deluded, and the attention-craving — made for a zippy, feel-good 120 minutes. And while the season premiere lacked Simon Cowell’s addictively salty bitchery, it benefited greatly from Steven Tyler’s stream-of-righteous critiques. Yeah, sometimes it takes a beat to translate the hoots and howls and adjectives emanating from the Aerosmith frontman’s giant mouth, but he’s already exhibiting solid instincts when faced with young, unpolished talent. His “I wasn’t feelin’ the pizazz” feedback to big-voiced-but-soulless 15-year-old Kenize Palmer was spot on, even if he eventually caved and said “yes” to giving her a Golden Ticket.”
And here is what American Idol creator/executive producer Simon Fuller told me tonight: “Everyone involved has put their heart and soul into making this the best season of American Idol. We have never worked better together as a team and I am very proud.”
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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Saw some of the show, not bad at all.
Surprisingly, I watched the completed show…and enjoyed it. Have to admit I miss the sour Simon, but the more you think about it — that was an act. Because on the X Factor Simon hardly says anything! He’s much kinder to the Brit talent.
The show had a different tone. I hope Jlo steps up, because Steven was a riot. But maybe that’s a nice balance. Randy is about the same, but he’s “leading” more than he’s commenting. The teen talent was surprisingly very very good, and I see at least three teens being snapped up by record companies. The girl, Victoria Huggins was so Disney sweet.
Sounds like the writers came up with good stuff for the new cast.
And one day maybe they’ll even get credit (and overtime, and health insurance, and a pension…)
After watching the stunning Jennifer Lopez, it took me five minutes to remember Paula Abdul’s name.
Jury is still out on Tyler for me.
Miss Simon, but agree that showing the better talent and not the horribly ungifted works.
I was ready to say goodbye to Idol, but it has earned some additional time to make any final determination.
Do you think both American Idol and X Factor will get great ratings as long as X Factor airs September- December and American Idol January- May? Why or why not? I think so because in some ways, X Factor is better than Idol in that the judges actually mentor the contestants, therefore contestants don’t usually sing the wrong song. There is not an age limit in the X Factor. I just hope X Factor is successful too. I want replies please.
Also, another factor as to why X Factor is better than American Idol is that there’s no age limit.
I think that ‘X Factor’ has the potential to come out SWINGING. I do think they need to switch up the marketing closer to the premiere, though. If enough people see ‘X Factor’ and think that it’s better than ‘Idol’, then they might just ditch ‘Idol’ entirely. It’s similar to the people who have seen ‘Big Brother’ in other countries, but just can’t watch ours – it’s because it’s worse in their opinion, so why waste their time? Just a possibility.
Great chemistry with the new judges
thought it was wonderful
pleasantly surprised
Both J Lo and Steve were assets to the show.
fun and moved quickly!
I miss the guy. But it wasn’t too bad, its like Coke with high fructose corn syrup. Still good, but better with sugar. Totally bad for you either way.
Coke with more sugar is Pepsi, which I believe is coincidentally the sponsor for Xfactor
I was wrong. The trio of judges clicked. Maybe the biggest surprise was how much Randy Jackson perked up. And Steven Tyler toned down the weirdness. The easing up on the bad performances made the two hours move swiftly. Good job.
Hate to admit but I actually liked it. I think the new mix of judges have great chemistry. Steven Tyler is hilarious. I haven’t watched Idol in years after getting burned out on it. I agree with the person above who said that showcasing the talented auditioners more than the trainwrecks is a nice change. Admittedly, it’s all wildly sugar-soaked, but watching the show actually put me in a good mood. I’m a sucker for the whole “small town kid comes from nothing and goes to Hollywood” schtick. A nice change of pace from the usual jaded LA cynicism that I myself am guilty of indulging in just about every day.
Jack – here’s a reply – go back to your weird low level marketing job for some third rate media company and keep your arcane questions to yourself. Stick to the post.
In terms of AI 2.0 – pleasantly surprised. Congrats Nigel and entire team!
Cried like a baby at the end of the show.
It was better than I expected it to be. Tyler looks to be the “zany” one, Randy played elder statesman, and Lopez turned out to be the one who didn’t want to hurt the kids’ feelings. I’m happy they aren’t wasting so much time on the talentless goofs, and I’m very happy that Ryan (apparently) remembered that his job is to host.
I didn’t miss Simon at all.
Watching the great Steven Tyler on this abomination is like Picasso painting your house, like Einstein on Jackass, Sarah Palin at a MENSA convention. IT’S JUST WRONG!!!
I felt that Simon Cowell had grown weary of Idol the last couple of seasons. For me, the insults hurled between the caustic judge and the vapid Ryan Seacrest sometimes made the show uncomfortable. In addition, the inclusion of Kara Dioguardi and subsequent departure of Paula Abdul was a blow to the show’s chemistry.
That being said, I was still doubtful the show would see a season 11 after Cowell’s departure. However, I was pleasantly surprised by last nights show and felt Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez filled the judges slots comfortably. It was an entertaining start to the 10th season and I hope the other changes are a pleasant surprise as well. Focusing on the talent and avoiding the constant self-promotion could go a long way to luring larger audiences back.
Tyler made the show. Love his personality. By the way you could try writing him a script but the deliverance would be all Steven. That,s why this is going to be the best season ever! Loved it aerofan ELLIE
we want simon back plzzzzzzzz.
It was serviceable. It was what we expected. Simon Cowell had no reservations and cared not a whit if any of us bleedin’ yanks thought he was a c*** or not. And being the de facto leader of the original trio, he gave the other two cover in giving “no” votes.
Tyler and Lopez DO care about not coming across as a****** so, as predicted, they are a bit more gentile. No surprise there. At least they didn’t give us some heartwarming vignette on an applicant only to show us that the person was totally devoid of talent at the audition like they did last year.
Still, there was a bit too much syrup glopped on. (Foster homes, Bosnian refugees) Do they not realize that one of the big reasons for the success is seeing the train wrecks and K-mart Divas in these early auditions?
“A bit more gentile”? I didn’t know they were Jewish!
Thank you and good night.
The new two judges are an upgrade. Paula Abdul was a “has been” and had not had a hit in years when she started on that show. Simon is a great judge, but he was not at the level of Quincy Jones as a music producer so nobody knew him. Also, I never liked the fact that Paula Abdul never sang. Her lack of singing skills is no secret so her judging never made sense to me.
Jennifer Lopez is a CURRENT star and Steven Tyler still sells out stadiums. I never thought they could get A-list singers on that show to judge. Awesome!!!!
If you have it on your DVR or Tivo than watch it again whenever Steven Tyler hit on one of the attractive singers. You will see the most awkward look on Jennifer Lopez’s face. It looks like Ms. Lopez might have some regrets in sleeping with people pulling out the casting couch in showbiz. If she didn’t pull down the panties than she would have never been famous. So she should be more grateful, since she is now a star and she got a few orgasms out of it. This is all just an educated guess of course.
Steven Tyler is really fun, laid back and you know he was serious about getting some tail. I hope he doesn’t tone it down. What can they do, fire him, and then he’s like, “Umm take your cheap paycheck. I’m headed back to the big bucks on tour.” lol
That was the creepiest educated guess ever.
So Abdul hadn’t had a hit in years, but you call Lopez a CURRENT star? Sorry, but I can’t remember the last hit record or film Lopez has had. She needed this gig very badly. That said, she was fine last night. I expected to hate her, but didn’t. Tyler was even better, very entertaining, but not in a forced way. And Jackson seems much more comfortable now that he is out of Cowell’s shadow. It was a surprisingly adequate-to-good show (though I could have done without the Bosnian refugee footage and the subtitles for those parents — it was a bit much).
I stopped watching when they added the speech impedimented Kara; annoying vocals, bad posture, no fashion style,; a nitemare for any viewer, however talented she may be off screen, nothing to hold a viewers interest in watching, artistically inarticulate.
Hope j lo realizes only one person will win so get over being nice.
And
can we get a song out of the judges every week???????? A couple of lines.
I havent watched American Idol the past few seasons..im tiredd of the winner being male…whitee..with a guitar..im soOo over ittt..BUT..last.nights premiere was great!!..im glad the producers decided to focus on the talented singers..then the crazies who just wanted camera time..i will stay tuned this season!..
JLo was a doll and her advice was helpful. Steven was a riot – I loved him singing along. I am glad the bitterness left the building. Cried twice and laughed out loud.
I decided to give the reboot ten minutes and stayed for the two hours. Didn’t miss Simon’s monotone repetitive snark one bit. Having seasoned music professionals like Tyler and Lopez gives the show an entirely new, authentic vibe. Bravo to the producers for realizing why the old Idol was not working.
I stuck with the ABC comedies. In the past few years ‘Idol’ demanded too much viewing to keep up, so when Simon left, so did I. JLo’s whole mojo is offensive, Randy is a bore and Steven Tyler scares my dog.
The show is tired. If they had replaced the whole judges table with new unknowns that might have been a real curiosity. Watching these three being bowled over by over-wrought, over-singing warblers makes me want to yawn.
Having 3 judges and not 4 makes a big difference in pacing.
The show was a little boring without Simon. What I missed aside from his hysterical barbs was his definitive point of view and the setting of the bar as to what is required to become an A.I. Steven and especially Jennifer don’t need to tread so softly. They have the credibility to say whatever the hell they need to say. And their job, as is the goal of the show, is to not be the “nice guy” but to find the very best talent. I know we don’t see everyone during these audition episodes, but what they showed us was not very good. And the judges seemed way too concerned about hurting feelings. I Dunno.
i dnt really think they should of aired without simon he was blunt and thats wat they need i mean really.. BRING SIMON BAC