UPDATE: Ryan Seacrest Jokes On-Air With Randy Jackson About His ‘American Idol’ Departure

By DOMINIC PATTEN | Thursday May 9, 2013 @ 5:25pm PDT

UPDATE, 5:25 PM: Ryan Seacrest tonight opened American Idol with an acknowledgment of Randy Jackson’s announcement today that he was leaving the show after 12 seasons. The host told viewers on Thursday’s live results show that there will be news about who is going home tonight, meaning among the contestants. He then tapped Jackson on the shoulder, adding “maybe a heads up?” Just before Idol went to air, Jackson himself added to the news of his departure by tweeting about his time on the show. “I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It’s been a life changing opportunity #idol,” he tweeted in similar language to remarks he’d made earlier in the day.

PREVIOUSLY, 3:17 PM: After over a decade at the judge’s table, Randy Jackson is leaving American Idol at the end of this season, sources have confirmed. ”Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on American Idol I have decided it is time to leave after this season,” said Jackson in a statement today. E! News reported the departure first. The news from the long term judge was called “face-saving” by one source in reference to the ratings struggle the once dominant show has had this season. Though other judges, from Simon Cowell to Jennifer Lopez, and for three seconds Ellen Degeneres, have come and gone, musician and producer Jackson was the only one to remain on Idol since it debuted in 2002. There was some speculation last year that Jackson may not return for another season of Idol or take on a reduced role of the show but he and Fox struck a deal at the last minute in September. Though Jackson is the first to say himself that he is leaving Idol, other members of this year’s judging panel are likely not far behind as the show heads towards its season finale on May 16. Freshman Mariah Carey’s husband Nick Cannon made it pretty clear this earlier this week that she wasn’t coming back to the Fox show. And Carey has separated from having Jackson as her manager. The singer, who has a new single out this week, left Jackson’s stable to sign up with Red Light Management late last month. And with ratings having hit all-time lows this year, it is unlikely that fellow diva and newbie judge Nicki Minaj will be returning to Idol either or that her and feuding partner Carey will be reuniting in song like they did on the remix of Carey’s 2010 song Up Out My Face.

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Randy Jackson Closes Deal To Return To ‘American Idol’ As Judge

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Monday September 10, 2012 @ 9:36pm PDT
Nellie Andreeva

You can never count a dawg out. After months of speculation that Randy Jackson, the last remaining original American Idol judge, may be relegated to a smaller role on the show next season, in a last-minute move, … Read More »

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‘American Idol’ Judging Panel Takes Shape

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Friday September 7, 2012 @ 1:24am PDT
Nellie Andreeva

According to industry insiders, Fox appears to have settled on a quartet of judges for the upcoming 12th season of American Idol with not a moment to spare as taped auditions are eyed to begin as early … Read More »

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Brillstein Entertainment Signs ‘American Idol’s Randy Jackson

Nellie Andreeva

Randy Jackson Brillstein EntertainmentEXCLUSIVE: American Idol judge Randy Jackson has signed with Brillstein Entertainment Partners, where Marc Gurvitz and Jon Liebman will manage him and his Dream Merchant 21 and Randy Jackson Prods. for future film and television … Read More »

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‘American Idol’s’ Randy Jackson Sells Siblings Show To MTV

By DOMINIC PATTEN | Thursday May 31, 2012 @ 1:40pm PDT

EXCLUSIVE: Randy Jackson has sold a siblings singing competition show to MTV. Basing itself off groups with siblings like the Jackson 5, the Beach Boys, Hanson and The Jonas Brother, the untitled series will feature groups with siblings in them competing against each other. The Jackson-produced show, which is early stages of development, is getting ready to start casting and looking for family bands and groups, a source said. The American Idol judge’s Dream Merchant 21 Entertainment has partnered on the project with DiGA, the production company of former top MTV executives Tony DiSanto and Liz Gately, which is backed by Ben Silverman’s Electus. The sibling series expands Jackson’s relationship with MTV, where he executive produces America’s Best Dance Crew, currently in its seventh season. Read More »

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VH1 Greenlights Two Reality Series

By NELLIE ANDREEVA | Monday October 10, 2011 @ 9:30am PDT
Nellie Andreeva

VH1 has picked up two reality series: Aptitude Test, from American Idol‘s Randy Jackson, and House of Consignment, starring Chicago fashion entrepreneur Corri McFadden. The hourlong Aptitude Test, from Jackson and Shed Media, will premiere next year. In every episode, … Read More »

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Fox To Announce ‘Idol’ Judges Wednesday

Nellie Andreeva

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest will unveil the new panel of judges for the Fox reality show on Wednesday, September 22nd, at the Forum, the network said. With so much speculation about Idol‘s judges all summer, there is not much suspense left for what is expected to be an official … Read More »

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Fox Confirms Kara DioGuardi Exits ‘Idol’

Nellie Andreeva

Fox just issued a statement confirming that Kara DioGuardi won’t be returning to American Idol next season. News comes as Jennifer Lopez is finalizing a deal to join the Fox series and amid speculation that Idol might be reverting to the original three-judge format. Also closing in on a deal for the reality series is Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler. And executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said last weekend he’s still trying to land Elton John. So Randy Jackson will be the only returning panelist  after Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres, and now DioGuardi have gone. Read More »

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EMMY SPOILERS: Big Opening Dance Number Features Jon Hamm, Tina Fey, Joel McHale, Chris Colfer & Jane Lynch


Here’s my 2nd spoiler about Sunday night’s Emmys broadcast and it’s a juicy one: According to my source inside the Nokia Theatre today, the big opening number features host Jimmy Fallon coming out alone with an electric guitar and singing/playing “Born to Run.” Then … Read More »

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