It’s looking more and more like the return of veteran American Idol judge, Randy Jackson to the panel is a done deal. Along with TV Guide and Deadline, TV Line has confirmed it. So has TMZ.
Randy told ABC News Radio after his appearance on The View yesterday, that “The Dawg is alive and well!” But he also said something key that–in the scramble for gossip and scoop about the judges–has gotten lost:
However, Randy says he’s “disturbed” by the fact that people continually gossip about the judges on American Idol — and The Voice and The X Factor — because he feels that it takes away from what these shows are really about: the contestants.
“It really comes down to the contestants because that’s who’s gonna be doing most of the work,” Randy tells ABC News Radio. “The competition is really between them. It’s not between the judges. So, I just hate that people take the focus off the meat of it, you know. That’s the eye of the whole thing. That’s what makes it go. You gotta find — and you gotta have — great talent in order to have a successful show.”
Maybe it takes an American Idol veteran who has been with the show from the very beginning to understand that American Idol’s success has always been tied to the cast of contestants. The new judges’ panel is going to get folks to tune in initially–and that’s a good thing. But in order for the show to maintain ratings through to the finale, the contestants have to be front and center! Cast well, Nigel. And while you’re at it, mix up that song list! We still want to hear the oldies, but please throw in a few surprises…
Randy goes on to congratulate American Idol winner, Phillip Phillips, for his platinum-selling coronation song, “Home” and more in the rest of his interview.
Read it at ABC News Radio.
