“American Idol” Season 10 — the remix.
That’s the catchy label Randy Jackson has affixed to television’s No. 1 show, which returns Wednesday (8 p.m. on Fox) with a radical makeover that feels both bold and somewhat desperate.
Gone is the fiercely blunt Simon Cowell, who left to bring his British hit, “The X Factor,” stateside. Also out are Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi.
Now, Jackson, who broke in with “Idol” alongside Cowell and the adorably kooky Paula Abdul, will share the judges panel with Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, high-profile newcomers being counted on to return some much-needed buzz to the aging franchise.
“I think they’ve really added a different kind of zest and a freshness to it,” Jackson said. “You take what was already great and you just kind of add a little extra spice to it.”
But the changes don’t stop there. “Idol” also has implemented several new wrinkles to its timeworn format, including a faster elimination process, the abolishment of gender parity among the finalists, and a plan to release music to the public during the course of the show.
In addition, “Idol” will have a snazzy new set, a new air date, a new bandleader and even an in-house mentor: Jimmy Iovine, the chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records (the new label for “Idol” winners) will help the contestants fine-tune their arrangements.
All the retooling comes at a critical time for the show, which suffered a 9 percent ratings decline last season, thanks in large part to a deadly dull group of contestants and the lack of chemistry among the judges.
Now a decade old, “Idol” finds itself at a crossroads: Is it ready for a rebirth, or is it ripe for a fall?
“You get the sense that the network and the producers are doing everything in their power to make ‘Idol’ the most important show on television again,” said Monica Herrera, an editor for music industry bible Billboard who calls this a “make-or-break” season.
“‘Idol’ might still be No. 1, but a lot of its relevance has been lost.”
Indeed, a worrisome drop in ratings is one thing, but several years have passed since the show produced a breakout sensation who managed to dominate the music charts and captivate arena-sized audiences. Last year’s winner, Lee DeWyze has sold only 102,000 copies of his debut album to date.
Michael Slezak, who covers the show for TVline.com, agrees. He insists “Idol” needs to find a “megastar” on the level of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, winners of Season 1 and 4, respectively. Such a standout, he said, would not only restore “Idol’s” legitimacy, but enhance its staying power.
“I think 10 seasons in, people are looking for an excuse not to watch. It’s a huge investment of time and emotion,” he said. “We want to make sure all that phone-calling, speed-texting and stress is not in vain.”
But Kristen Baldwin, who covers the show for Entertainment Weekly, says many “Idol” worshipers aren’t overly concerned with what happens after the season’s winner is doused in confetti.
“I think of it along the lines of a dating show,” she said. “When I watch ‘The Bachelor,’ I don’t care if they break up 10 minutes after the finale. I watch the show for the show.”
To that end, Baldwin approves of most of the changes, especially the demise of gender parity among the singers (“Fans want the best contestants, boy or girl.”) She also advocates the quicker release of music (“It’s the model ‘Glee’ uses, a really savvy move.”)
But will Lopez and Tyler be compelling enough to keep viewers plugged into the process? Baldwin has checked out preview clips of the audition rounds and she likes what she sees so far.
“Everyone expects JLo to be the Paula of the group, but it looks like Steven is going to fill much of that role,” she said of the Aerosmith frontman. “He’s goofy, and there are times when no one seems to know what he’s talking about. I think he’s the wild card. You don’t know what he’s going to say, what he’s going to do, or what he’s going to be on.”
As for Lopez, Baldwin says she’s a “very huggy” cheerleader type along the lines of Abdul. But on the other hand, she brings more of a take-charge tenacity.
“I see her being like the boss, the den mother,” she said. “I think everyone’s a little afraid of JLo.”
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