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TMZ is reporting that sources close to the Idol production say there was “serious talk” of a “clean sweep” of the judges panel, but it was decided to keep a connection to the original panel. Therefore, Randy Jackson was spared and will reportedly join Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez on the Judges panel for Season 10

Also, the Aerosmith tour will continue even if lead singer Steven Tyler joins the judges panel

2nd Update: Now, Zap2it is reporting that Jennifer Lopez is “Signed Sealed and Delivered, but Steven Tyler is still in negotiations. Tyler is Idol’s first choice, but if a deal can’t be reached, Harry Connick Jr. is their second choice.

There still could be an announcement on Monday, depending on how the weekend goes.

Update: THR is reporting that there will be no announcements at Monday’s TCA press hour, because NO DEALS ARE SIGNED YET. Read more HERE.

The LA Times reports that Jennifer Lopez’s deal is one of the hold-ups.  Her people want to sweeten the pot with side deals, and Jennifer herself wants to gauge the public’s reaction to the idea before she commits.  The Daily Beast reports her deal to be around 10 million dollars.

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The Hollywood Reporter is confirming through sources that the brand-new judges panel will consist of Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson.

They also report that “further tweaks are coming to other aspects of the show over the coming weeks.”

One goal behind assembling the new panel is to find a mix that would be less “callous and cynical” than during Cowell’s tenure — not less critical of contestants, necessarily, but a warmer and more positive atmosphere among the judges panel, both on and off camera, a vibe more reminiscent of the early years of the show.

FOX isn’t confirming or denying any media reports about Idol, because they are hoping to make a splashy presentation at the TCA press tour on Monday.  Also, deals are still being worked out behind the scenes.

“It’s a mess,” said one source. “There’s a million cooks in the kitchen, it’s truly complete chaos.”

Fox hopes to have at least one of the new judges–preferably all of them–on stage Monday for the press tour.  FOX will also announce that Nigel Lythgoe is returning as executive producer.

THR also reports that Idol execs “begged” Ellen Degeneres to stick around.  Ellen announced yesterday that she would not be returning to Idol next year.

“They said, `We’re re-tooling the show around you, we’ll hire [her friend] Elton. We’ll get judges you want.’ She said, ‘All right, I’ll roll with you guys.’ She was trying to be a good soldier and not bail out. They begged her not to bail up until two or three days ago.”

Finally, THR reports that even though Elton John’s peeps have vehemently denied he has interest in being on Idol, Idol execs have never stopped trying to lure him, but a source says, “They think they can get Elton John … [but he] always seems to need money.”

So I don’t know…I’m not sold on JLo and Steven Tyler as judges. What about you? And it looks like the producers are taking a hard look at the chemistry between members of the panel. Now THAT’s a good thing.

Adam Lambert and his Glam Nation crew are playing in Adam’s home town of San Diego tonight at the Copley Symphony Hall. This is another show that is starting earlier than what was printd ont the tickets. The show is starting at 7:30pm instread of 8:00pm PST.

Photos from twitter poster created by our very own mlg_0621

Orianthi is opening up solo for the show tonight.

UPDATE:  According to Allison Iraheta’s website she IS performing tonight which explains starting early.

 Photo cctexasgirl

Twitter List: http://twitter.com/GlamFansUnite/copley

Review:Whole lotta love for Adam — Lambert’s homecoming concert a sure fire treat for his fans
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Nigel Lythgoe — The King Returns to ‘American Idol’

TMZ has learned Nigel Lythgoe will return to “American Idol” next season as the executive producer … marking one of the biggest TV “I told you so!” moments in decades.

Read more at TMZ

Ellen’s Departure Doesn’t Surprise ‘American Idol’ Experts

Ellen DeGeneres was the first to admit that her first, and as it turns out, last, season on “American Idol” was not smooth sailing. In the statement announcing her departure from the show, the daytime talk queen and veteran comedienne copped to feeling uncomfortable criticizing young singers. “It was a difficult decision to make,” DeGeneres said, “but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings.”

MTV News reached out to its panel of “Idol” experts for reaction on Friday (July 30), and each member said they were not shocked that DeGeneres pulled the ripcord on her three-year contract.

Read more at MTV

More Headlines after the JUMP…

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Jason Castro was back today on the CBS soap. The Bold and the Beautiful to sing his tune, “Love Uncompromised”.

Check out Jason’s appearance yesterday, which you’ll want to watch, because it sets up what happens today. Watch it HERE.

Watch Jason sing “Love Uncompromised” after the JUMP.

Video after the JUMP…

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Billy Bell wasn’t upset when Nigel Lythgoe suggested that America rejected Billy because he was “slightly androgynous.” However, Billy WAS a little upset when Nigel called him out on his decision not to dance after the doctors cleared his injury last week.

Read Billy’s interview with print reporters from earlier today right here:

How did contestant injuries affect the season? “I feel like a lot of the injuries were kind of a fluke that happened. I think when you put all of your heart into something, and you’re giving it your all all of the time, sometimes you forget about what you can’t do, and go for it anyways. I think a lot of it was just by chance.”

Why didn’t America connect with him? “I’m not really sure if there was a specific that America wasn’t connecting with.  I got pretty used to being in the bottom.  It turned out that I was just having fun doing solos.”

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Today’s theme for the numbers is Billboard. There are a million charts, so I’m not going to go through all of them. Just a few majors. Naturally, if you want to do the legwork and check other charts, we’d love to see the numbers.

Also, current numbers from other themes are welcome as well.

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Carrie Underwood performed “Cowboy Casanova” and “Undo It” to an enthusiastic Today Show crowd this morning in New York City.

Before performing her new #1 hit, “Undo It” host Matt Lauer asked Carrie about the big shake-ups happening on American Idol…

It was all part of the Today Show Summer concert series.

Video Just Added: In the 3rd hour, Carrie sang “Before He Cheats”

Check out the performances after the JUMP…

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This story is developing…

According TMZ, Kara DioGuardi has “left the building”.

The panel will go back to a 3-judge format, made up of Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

Ellen Degeneres announced her resignation yesterday.

• Jennifer Lopez new Idol Judge,  rumors Steven Tyler has also been tapped
• Ellen Degeneres Bows Out of Idol!

Jordin Sparks shot an episode of the MTV series, “When I Was 17″ (Wasn’t that only like, 2 seconds ago? Heh.) Jordin tweets, “Oh! Duh. I shot my episode of #wheniwas17 today at @MTV! Make sure you watch out for that! ”

The release date for David Archuleta’s 3rd album has changed from September 14 to October 5, From David’s website, “Like the last time we dealt with a date change, this one is definitely for the best. David would like to make sure he’s delivering the best possible album and he needs just a little more time to do it.”

More Headlines after the JUMP…

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UPDATE: Associated Press is confirming that Jennifer Lopez “is close to signing a deal” with FOX.

Also, they are reporting that Ellen Degeneres had signed a 2 year deal with Idol, rather than a 5-year as had been widely reported.

People magazine, ET and OK Magazine are also citing sources confirming the story.

FOX and Jennifer’s reps have yet to comment on the story.

This just in from Deadline Hollywood:

EXCLUSIVE: We’ve just learned the backstory of how Ellen DeGeneres bowed out of American Idol and who will be its new judge taking her place: Jennifer Lopez, who’s singing and acting career has been on the skids after her recent movies failed at the box office and she was dropped by her record company Sony. We hear her manager Benny Medina, whom she once fired, orchestrated the meeting with the American Idol producers a month ago, and negotiations have been ongoing ever since. We’ve learned a deal was closed earlier this week under the utmost secrecy. Still to be decided is who will replace Simon Cowell. Everyone associated with the show wants Elton john, but we hear he’s asking for too much money and has too many touring commitments he can’t get out of.

Ellen went to Idol execs two months ago. “She’s not comfortable. She’s not happy. It’s not been fun.”

But Rice and Darnell felt that with Cowell leaving, “We can’t let you out now because it would be bad for our franchise. Give us a chance to figure out who we could get.”

In the end, it all worked out. “Peter Rice is awesome” and “Ellen is thrilled and relieved.” DH says serious conversations took place between Idol and Jessica Simpson to replace Ellen. But “once Jennifer was locked in this week, the DeGeneres announcement went out.”

Also, Access Hollywood is reporting that rocker Steven Tyler has met with Idol execs “several times.”

Gossip Cop reports that Tyler has been offered a job along with JLo…

I vaguely remember Jennifer as mentor back in Season 6. She could not have been that memorable. Here’s my recap of Season 6 Top 8. Jennifer mentored the kids for “Latin Night”. I think she was nice and sweet enough, but not overwhelmingly helpful

Update: Posted Allison Iraheta Video! After the jump

Billy Bell and Jose Ruiz are eliminated. - VIDEO.

• Group Dance – VIDEO
• Jose’s solo – VIDEO
• Billy and Lauren’s solos – VIDEO
• Step-up 3d w Lil C and Tony Bellissimo – VIDEO

Man. I was not alright with those results.  Adechike was safe once again this week, and it’s hard for me to wrap my head around his appeal.  Sure, he’s a very strong dancer, but he’s got no finesse or personality.  If America has rejected Billy because of his “androgyny” as Nigel suggested tonight, I find that really sad.  I think he’s more appealing and a better technical dancer than both Adechike and Robert. That solo tonight was just STUNNING. Sigh.

Lauren is the only girl, so she wasn’t going anywhere, and that was that. I’m actually not bummed she advanced.  I would have rather seen either Robert or Adechike in the bottom instead of her. If that had happened, Billy might have been spared.

After the jump, my Live blog and a Video of the performance by Allison Iraheta

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3rd Update: Ryan Seacrest reacts to Ellen’s departure, via twitter, “Spoke with ellen d tonight aka @theellenshow??. I will miss her on idol. She’s one of the kindest and most talented people in hollywood!”

2nd Update: As recent as last week, THR reports, Ellen’s reps told them she  “was still willing to fulfill her multi-year contract with the show.”

Update:  Simon Cowell makes a statement about Ellen’s departure to The Hollywood Reporter:  “As I got to know Ellen, I grew to really, really like her. I have huge respect for her because she’s always been in control of her own destiny.”

Via People:

Filling Simon Cowell‘s seat on American Idol was already a tough task –- now another chair is there for the taking.

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, who became a full-time judge on the show during its ninth season, is bowing out of the series, PEOPLE has learned.

“A couple months ago, I let FOX and the American Idol producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me,” she says in a statement. “I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next. It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for.”

DeGeneres adds, “I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings. I loved the experience working on Idol and I am very grateful for the year I had, I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be.”

Statement from Simon Fuller: “I loved Ellen’s passion for the artists and her nurturing skills. She brought honesty and optimism to our judging panel and I will miss her greatly.”

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Tonight, the Top 10 Idols perform in Virginia Beach, VA!

Check out the live twitter blog after the jump. And later, check back for VIDEOS.  If you’d like to write a recap of YOUR show, send it to mjsbigblog at gmail dot com.  Also, if you’ve got photos or videos you’d like to share, bring them on.

Get American Idols Live Tickets at StubHub
Get American Idols Live Tickets at Ticket Liquidator
Get American Idols Live! Tour Tickets at Ticketmaster

Live Blog after the JUMP…

Live Blog after the JUMP…

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The Biz: Big American Idol News Coming Monday

Monday is the day when American Idol changes forever.

According to an industry source close to the situation, Fox and Idol’s production company, 19 Entertainment, have made their decision on a replacement for departing judge Simon Cowell — and will make an announcement at the network’s Television Critics Association summer press tour presentation on Aug. 2.

EW posted something similar last night. See my wrap up HERE.

Read more at TV Guide

Kris Allen: ‘The Truth’ Video Preview!

Kris Allen shoots his new music video for “The Truth” in the middle of the Californian desert.

But the weather wasn’t very cooperative!

“Apparently, in the desert, when it starts raining the ground just turns into mush,” the 25-year-old American Idol champ told MTV. “It started to monsoon, man! It was crazy. It was one of the biggest storms I’ve ever been in but it was almost kind of fun in a way. We were just standing outside, [but] I felt like we had just jumped in the pool.”

See the Photos at Just Jared

More Headlines after this Jump…

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