After much speculation and a long, drawn-out wait, the new judging panel for American Idol has been officially announced. And the judges are -- Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, and Randy Jackson.
What a mix, huh? Via Twitter this morning Ryan Seacrest revealed the lineup for the twelfth season of the show, which debuts in January: "It's official, your new #IdolJudges are @MariahCarey, @NickiMinaj, @KeithUrban & @Yo_RandyJackson!"
The reaction is strong on both sides from those who think it's a brilliant group to those who vow never to watch it again because of this "joke" of a panel.
A sampling of tweets reacting to the announcement:
How is it that someone who is autotuned on a regular, qualified to be a judge of a "singing" competition?
#AmericanIdol -- @HouseofHauteBeyond excited about the legit news on
@KeithUrban. Voice's loss is Idol's gain.#americanidol -- @alisonbonaguroLMFAO @ the new american idol judging panel. it's like they got random stars and stuck them together. -- @TimmsWell
One way or another people have some strong opinions about the new judges -- it's certainly not a "meh" group. Personally, I think the mix has as good of a shot as any at saving the show.
And the show needs some serious saving. Last season's finale was the lowest rated one ever. There's just not the buzz about the show like there once was, and I, like many formerly devoted fans, haven't watched in years. Why is debatable, but the fact that it needs some spicing up is not.
I think this group of judges has some potential to do it. Urban will draw in the huge country crowd, while Minaj has her own following, and finding out what kind of crazy getups she'll be donning is reason enough to tune in. Carey is just a legend, and Randy is "The Dog" with seniority, who was somehow saved after it looked like he might get the axe.
The group is diverse enough to provide some controversy (Mariah and Nicki together could bring some explosive diva sh*t) and knowledgeable about music to provide some meat. I think it could just work. If not, then sadly I'm not sure anything can save the show.
What do you think of the new American Idol judges? Will you watch this next season?
Image via Twitter
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Comments 14
Last year was the first we didn't watch - actually, we started to watch, but the "talent' was not that great - after the two kids we like were cut, we quit watching (pretty early).
Question - how are they going to break a tie w/4 judges?
Not gonna watch anymore. The show has become a joke.
I gave up watching several years ago. Did watch part of last yrs. show, think Idol has seen its best days gone away. Best of luck, IDOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I haven't watched this show since the 5th season or so. It's done and past its hayday. The need to stop milking the cow because it ran dry a looooong time ago.
I'm guessing Nicki Minaj is more for the entertainment aspect of the competition and not the talent part. I didn't like the idea of Steven Tyler and JLo but they turned out to be OK judges. Only time will tell.
Nicki Minaj went to a high school in NYC for singing. (Same one Lourdes, Madonna's daughter goes to) She can actually sing well.
I haven't watched sinced season 2 or 3, I might watch now..