Remember all that talk about Jennifer Lopez becoming an American Idol Judge for 2011? Then the word was that her high demands had sunk her chance to sit at the coveted panel. Well, the rumors are back and this time they say Lopez is just days away from inking a deal to join American Idol 2011.

TMZ is reporting the rumors so take it with a huge grain of salt. Probably best to just grab a whole handful actually.

Sources connected to the [Jennifer Lopez] negotiations tell TMZ … contrary to some news reports … there has been no drama and no diva demands. As one source puts it, “It’s been typical negotiating.”

We’re told … absent a last-minute snag (which is highly unlikely) … the deal could be inked as early as next week.

I was initially impressed that Idol had Lopez in talks considering they need a big name for next season, but she’s definitely known for her diva behavior and while I want a big name with real advice to offer I think it’s more important to keep the focus on the stage and not the judges’ panel. Jennifer Lopez could make that very difficult but perhaps I’m wrong and she’s exactly what the show needs.

What do you think of Lopez potentially joining the judges for Idol 2011?

Source: TMZ

Why is it that no one seems to be willing to be a judge on American Idol 2011? The latest news is that Nigel Lythgoe is trying to convince Sir Elton John to come on the show as a judge for this next season. John definitely has the requisite skills to fit the bill, but doesn’t that guy still have an active career and something better to do? Nigel told Deadline:

“I must say, I really do love Elton John. He’s a huge favorite of mine,” Lythgoe replied to me. The producer added that Elton’s packed schedule is “always the problem”. Then Lythgoe revealed what strategy Idol is using on Elton to convince him to clear it and come on the show. “It depends on whether [he] wants to give back.”

Give what back? Did he lose a bet to Lythgoe? I can’t imagine Lythgoe considers American Idol to be a charity unless he just wants him for Idol Gives Back.

But seriously, why can’t they go for someone reasonable and just lock down this panel of American Idol 2011 judges? If they’ve got Randy and Steven Tyler then we need a woman to round things out, right? So who is it gonna be?

Phew. Well at least we now know one of the American Idol 2011 judges! Exec Producer Nigel Lythgoe has just confirmed that Randy Jackson will be back to take his seat at the judges’ panel. This news comes just after Nigel said all the seats at the panel were open. Those are two very different stories.

After telling E! News that all seats on the panel were open, the TV mogul chatted with KTLA’s Sam Rubin and Jessica Holmes on the red carpet about the upcoming season. And when asked if he could name a single judge who’d be around for Season 10… he did.

Lythgoe says that one seat on the panel has an occupant, and it’s Randy Jackson. Wait. Was that a confirmation? “I hope so,” he says.

So what do you think? Randy returns but Kara and Simon are out. We’re still at least two more judges away unless you count Steven Tyler’s unofficial confirmation that he’ll be joining the cast of American Idol 2011.

Source: Zap2It via MJ’s Blog

Did Kara quit or was she fired from American Idol 2011? Just a month ago we were told that Kara DioGuardi had been let go by producers at nearly the same time that Ellen DeGeneres had backed out of her two-year contract. Now a source has told E! that it was Kara’s idea not to return:

“She went to Fox two months ago and told them she didn’t want to do another season,” a source tells me. “She’s ready to move on. She did two years and thinks that’s enough.”

So what happened when DioGuardi told Fox that she wanted out? “They said they’d get back to her,” the source said.

Well that’s a lot different from American Idol firing Kara from the judges’ panel. It also implies that Kara might not actually be gone from the show. Returning producer Nigel Lythgoe has only announced that a final decision on the American Idol 2011 judges will be revealed in the next few weeks.

While we wait for the official word, let’s hear more judge suggestions!

The mystery has ended for at least one of the new American Idol 2011 judges. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, who earlier was reported to be a judge and then reported not be a judge, has leaked the details himself or at least from someone very close to him:

A source close to Steven Tyler says the Aerosmith frontman told the source he will be a judge on Fox’s “American Idol” next season.

While an official announcement about Tyler has yet to come from Fox and the producers of the top-rated show, the source told The Associated Press on Wednesday, “there is no reason to refute” Tyler’s account. The source spoke only on the condition of anonymity because the source was not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.

What do you think of this judge selection? Sure, I’d love to have Bret Michaels, but upgrading from Kara Di-who? and Ellen to Steven Tyler is awesome! Now we just have to wait and see who will fill the role of Paula’s old seat since it won’t be J. Lo.

Source: AP

Want a free autographed T-Shirt from American Idol season 6 winner Jordin Sparks? It can be yours, just read on to find out how (hint: it’s really, really easy).

Famous Footwear recently worked with Jordin Sparks of American Idol for their latest Famous for a Day campaign which gives real life people the chance to spend the day with their favorite celebrity or pro athlete. Jordin surprised one of her biggest fans in Orlando and the two spent a day together, concluding with Jordin’s concert at House of Blues where the fan enjoyed exclusive backstage access. Cameras were on-hand throughout the day to capture each moment of the fan’s unique celebrity experience and you can watch it all in the video below.

After you watch the video post a comment on this article about how you would spend a day with Jordin Sparks if you could be Famous for a Day. That’s all it takes to enter the giveaway. On August 31, 2010 I’ll randomly select one person from the comments below and notify them by email. I told you it was easy!

So how would you spend the day with Jordin if you were Famous for a Day?

So much for the plans to have Jennifer Lopez become one of the new judges for American Idol 2011. I don’t know why I didn’t see this coming as an issue given Lopez history as an alleged diva, but Lopez has managed to demand her way out of the coveted job, says People:

The singer-actress had been closing a deal to be a permanent judge on the show for its upcoming 10th season but the deal fell apart.

“Her demands got out of hand,” says the source. “Fox had just had enough.”

But now that Lopez is out of the running, the network may be looking at their earlier top picks again.

J Lo would have been a nice addition to the panel as a change of pace with having someone with a little more industry relevance, but she sure showed them!

So now that both Lopez and Steven Tyler are allegedly out of the contest, who should American Idol 2011 pick up for two new judges?