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Ellen’s out, JLo’s in at Idol

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Ellen DeGeneres got more than she bargained for by signing on with American Idol. The talk show queen has decided that “judging people and sometimes hurting their feelings” is just too hard for her. She also cites a heavier work schedule than she anticipated among the reasons she has decided to exit American Idol effective immediately. She will not appear on the show’s upcoming 10th season.

Ellen’s timing could be serendipitous. Scuttlebutt around the TV industry is that Fox is hoping to replace the entire judging panel this year, to make a big splash following founder Simon Cowell‘s highly-publicized exit. (Cowell left to work on the American version of his British talent search show The X Factor.) The sole remaining original judge, Randy Jackson, has reportedly been expressing his desire to move on from the show as well.

At least one new high-profile panel member has just been verified: Jennifer Lopez. Fox isn’t confirming it, but it’s a done deal nonetheless. Fox is likely hoping to make a big announcement of the entire judges panel, which rumors indicate could include big names like Justin Timberlake and Elton John.

American Idol lowers age limit

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For the upcoming 10th season of American Idol — also known as “the season with no Simon” — the show has decided to lower the age limit for eligibility from 16 to 15. According to USA Today, Idol was inspired to take this step by the success of Justin Bieber and his ilk.

American Idol‘s producers also recently announced their intention to accept submissions from Fox-owned MySpace (am I the only one surprised to hear that MySpace is still around?). The show still has a new judge to find, to fill Simon’s very big shoes.

Put all this stuff together and it looks like the show’s producers are strategizing new ways of generating excitement for Season 10. Which is probably a good idea, since Season 10 is probably going to be a snoozefest. Let’s face it: if ever there was drama to be found on Idol, it came from Simon. Now that he’s gone, some viewers are expected to lose interest.

So the show is fighting back with teeny-bopper singers and the hopes of creating viral sensations through MySpace. What do you think: will it work?

Year-end ratings put CBS on top

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For the seventh time in the last eight years, CBS has emerged as the overall ratings winner for network television.

Nielsen’s annual ratings report indicates that CBS was boosted to the top of the heap thanks to the record-breaking broadcast of the Super Bowl showdown between the Colts and the Saints. This year’s Super Bowl was the most-watched television broadcast in history, bringing in more than 106 million viewers for the network. CBS also scored the highest-rated scripted program of the year, in NCIS. CBS also boasts the three most popular new programs of the year: NCIS: Los Angeles, The Good Wife, and Undercover Boss.

In second place is Fox, who averaged about two million fewer viewers each night than CBS. But Fox scored a major victory of its own: a 3.6 rating in the key 18-49 demographic, which placed Fox on top in this all-important age range that advertisers seek the most. American Idol remains Fox’s juggernaut, earning the “number one show on television” status for the seventh year in a row.

ABC came in third place for the season, boosted heavily by Dancing With the Stars. NBC landed fourth in the broadcast network ratings, though if not for the Winter Olympics, its overall ratings for the season would have been down from last year.

The CW, unsurprisingly, came in fifth place.

AI: The Double Boot

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American Idol Andrew Garcia and Katie StevensThe other night I didn’t get to write about American Idol‘s “Elvis Week” since I was a bit more excited about the next show – Glee. However, tonight was eliminations night. After Michael Lynch was saved the previous week by the judges it meant that this week will be goodbye for two contestants. It also meant that since the “save” had already been used then the contestants would have no chance of staying at all.

The night started off with a pretty quick with an an elimination announced within the first 15 minutes. Andrew Garcia was the first to go. I can’t say that I am surprised considering how much he’d been struggling since it was narrowed down to the top 12. It still made me really sad though because I’m still a fan of Andrew. The judges may be really annoying after repeating themselves for the millionth time but we have to agree that his version of “Straight Up” back in Hollywood week is plain genius. Good luck to Andrew!

The other contestant that got the boot was Katie Stevens. I did enjoy her performance (though Simon found it annoying) and we have to give her props because week after week she really is looking younger and getting more comfortable up there. I do think that it was her time to go because, let’s just face it, she’s got the pipes but she needs to mature more.

Adam ended the night with a bang. As usual great performance. Very theatrical and to-die-for vocals.

Idol Gives Back and Urban Bows Out

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Tim UrbanI’ve often wondered why they have to boot someone out during the “Idol Gives Back” episode. With the good cheer going all around as people focus more on charity it just seems pretty sucky to try to wipe the smile off someone’s face. Keeping a smile on is not a problem to the one who had to leave this time though because Tim Urban had been getting comments from Simon for being too smiley.

Tim Urban has been having a rough time (more like a roller coaster ride) during his stay on idol but even after really rough performances, as Simon said, he didn’t really have to worry because his fans would carry him through. It seemed that his jolly demeanor will take him through to the ended, but of course it did not. I guess his “Better Days” (pun intended of course!) with idol is finally over, no thanks to his rendition of the Goo Goo Doll’s song. On the bottom three this week with Tim were Casey James (first time for him) and Aaron Kelly.

Towards the end of the show, after George Lopez revealed who was going home, the remaining idols surrounded Tim, who wasn’t asked to sing anymore. Probably it was because the 2-hour Idol Gives Back was already running too long, and anyway the save had already been used up before.

Next week we’ll be seeing Shania Twain mentor the idol contestants. Too bad for John Parks he didn’t make it this far…