American Idol mentor, Scott Borchetta, may be one and done. In light of yesterday’s news from FOX that the veteran singing show would be cancelled after next year’s 15th season, The Big Machine Label group head is carefully considering whether he’ll return for another round.
He tells Taste of Country:
“I want to make sure the show is still going to be about finding great talent. And if it is, then there’s a very serious discussion to be had. If it’s more about nostalgia and bringing Simon (Cowell) back and bringing Paula (Abdul) back — when I sign up that means I’m signing the winner. So if the mission stays specific then there’s a conversation to be had. If it doesn’t, then I’ve got other things I’ve gotta go do.”
American Idol has extended an invitation to return, Scott shared with Cody Alan from CMT. But he’s got to think about it:
“They want me to come back. I haven’t decided yet. I want to step away from it for a minute, assess everything, take in the experience and make sure it’s right for the whole label group to go back and do it again.”
The man who made Taylor Swift a star, was brought in the Idol fold to lend some cred to the ailing singing show, and perhaps attract a more viewers. That didn’t happen, as the ratings continued to shrink.
If Scott gets stuck with a winner that he doesn’t want–and he’s made it pretty clear he prefers Jax and Nick Fradiani over the obstinate Clark Beckham–that may influence his decision. But in the end, who wants to go down with a sinking ship? Scott is all about winning. Which American Idol clearly is not.
On tonight’s performance final, airing on FOX at 9/8c PM, the American Idol 14 Top 3–Clark, Jax and Nick will be whittled down to a Top 2. The remaining singers will perform three songs each, including a coronation single. On Wednesday at 8/7c PM a winner will be crowned.
Scott shared some of his thoughts on the competition:
The only thing that’s certain is that come Thursday, Borchetta will have a new artist on his roster. The likable Fradiani seems like a good fit — Borchetta has said he’d consider steering him toward country radio should he win. Beckham and Borchetta have sparred during these final weeks, but the 52-year-old admits he likes an artist who stands up for what he believes in. Jax seems likely to follow Taylor Swift into pop radio. As the only female remaining, she could have an advantage.
“If you don’t win, and even if you do win, you’ve gotta understand that this whole support system goes away and you’re back to the real world,” Scott told Taste of Country. “And I think that’s the reason you don’t see a lot of contestants get back to this stage. It’s so overwhelming, you’ve really gotta burn for it.”
“American Idol doesn’t anoint you a career, it anoints you an opportunity,” he said.
The Borchetta Breakdown: Top 3
Scott says Nick has the most momentum of the three. Earned It was his favorite Clark performance of the season.
https://youtu.be/VD8gcrSopU8
