'American Idol' Secrets: Behind The Incredible Comeback

The Hollywood Reporter:

When the house lights came up at L.A. Live's Nokia Theatre on May 26, 2010, the night of the Season 9 finale, there was a widely held belief in the entertainment world that American Idol was on its way down. Gone was the show's star judge, Simon Cowell, who had announced his departure four months earlier; its experiment with a four-person panel, which included daytime host Ellen DeGeneres and songwriter Kara DioGuardi, had ostensibly failed (both would exit the show within the next three months); and viewers less than enthused with the year's crop of contestants had started tuning out. With ratings tumbling 18 percent on finale night and giant question marks looming on the horizon, the members of the Idol brain trust -- which include creator Simon Fuller, FremantleMedia North America CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Fox president of alternative programming Mike Darnell and executive producers Nigel Lythgoe (brought back after a two-season leave) and Ken Warwick, along with judge Randy Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest -- had their work cut out for them.

Read the whole story: The Hollywood Reporter

Comments

[joannie iv]

06:09 AM on 05/20/2011

sorry that should be Randy not larry LOL

[joannie iv]

06:08 AM on 05/20/2011

American Idol has been so disappointing this season and I blame the very poor judging.

The very best talent has been voted off. Scotty is so BORING

Haley is on and off

Lauren is a screamer

The Judges do not offer constructive criticism. Larry is the only decent judge.

[Charles Bryan]

09:28 PM on 05/19/2011

J lo is leaving?

[skjn62]

09:18 PM on 05/19/2011

I think the conservatives took over Idol this year. Lauren and Howdy Doody (aka Scotty) ???? Really???? It should have been Haley Reinhart and James Durbin in the finals.

[logic63]

07:46 PM on 05/19/2011

I don't dislike Lopez and Tyler but I don't like the fact that they don't offer constructive judgments only praise except for Haley. Randy is Randy but I don't think they saved the show at all. I have watched idol every year and last night was the worst final three show I've ever seen. Scotty will probably win but he isn't that good, Lauren is ok and Haley can be outstanding but I don't think any of them will be any better professionally than Chris Allen or the gray headed dude from the south

[skjn62]

09:22 PM on 05/19/2011

I think Haley can make it. Her voice is distinct. I downloaded some of her songs and she is good. James will make it, too. Scotty and Lauren are a dime a dozen.

[logic63]

09:25 PM on 05/19/2011

I agree with you about Haley & James. Jennifer Hudson is one good example of talent showing and so is Daughtry. I loved Casey & Haley duet of the blues.

[contrarymv]

04:42 PM on 05/19/2011

i would hardly say the new judges have "saved" the show. I get more variety and constructive adivce from my Magic 8 Ball. Yes, Simon could be mean - but he was HONEST. You need people to have the guts to tell someone when they do NOT have what it takes to be in the business. All this insincere "you're beautiful, man", "goosebumps don't lie", and so and so's "in it to win it" add NOTHING. I'd discard all three of these judges and start over. I watch simply for the singing, which of late has also been painfully mind-numbing; except for Haley.

[Konnie]

04:31 PM on 05/19/2011

if there is one critique i would make is to not spoil the surprise. i get the whole moment when the
contestant meets the week's celebrity and they work together. but don't reveal what the
contestant sounds like singing that song until they are on stage.