Judges: Randy, Jennifer, Steven

[mergirl]

Aretha is quoted in several places as saying "how come they never ask me?"

That would be so great!

[followthedream]

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mergirl wrote:

Aretha is quoted in several places as saying "how come they never ask me?"

That would be so great!

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If you could post a mainstream link, that would be awesome.  I know I could search for it myself, but I'm lazy today

[aartemiss]

i disagree that age or ethnicity has anything to do with being a good judge!  if the show were to lose viewers just because there are no white judges, then i would think those viewers are petty and closed minded, in my opinion..  though i wouldn't wish to replace any of the judges, i love aretha franklin, and if i were forced to choose which judge to replace i would say j'lo..  i appreciate her but i know she has another show she's trying to get off the ground as well, so it wouldn't surprise me if she is gone soon, and if so, i would love to see miss franklin in her place..  randy is the only remaining judge with any longevity on the show, and i enjoy steven alot..  it would be cool if they have four judges again and include aretha!   i can't speak for what kind of music she likes to listen to..  i know she is the queen of soul, but it is quite possible, or even probable, that she has alot of appreciation for many different genres..  i wouldn't accuse her of being biassed towards any genre, especially since the whole scenerio of her as a judge is completely hypothetical and there's no basis upon which to accuse her of favoring a certain type, for all we know she would be very equal and consistent with her judgements..  since we don't know what kind of judge she'd be, there's no reason to assume she's not open to all types of music and supportive of all the contestants..  since all we can do is guess, the possibility that she'd be a very fair judge is just as possible as assuming she wouldn't..  and for me personally, i have always respected the seasoned wisdom of my elders, i think advanced age makes a person a better judge, not an inferior one..  just my opinion of course

eta = this was written partially in response to a comment that was made and has since been deleted, so if it seems a bit out of context or out of the blue, sorry for the confusion

[Idolready90]

I don't know how I feel about Aretha being a judge... part of me goes, "That would be awesome!" and part of me goes,"Oh, that's not a good idea." She would be an amazing technical judge but she has quite the ego and that would make me nervous for how she will portray herself and how she will treat the contestants she doesn't really like. Also, I don't think I oculd handle another judge who wants to control the panel, and based on everything I have seen with her in interviews, she is one of those people who knows just how good she is. I would be very interested to see what she would do if given the chance to judge the show... but part of me also feels like it would blow up in the producer's faces.

[PW]

I think it would be great if Aretha was a judge on Idol and I'd like to see her replace Jennifer, who I did not enjoy this past season at all.

I agree with aartemiss that ethnicity and age should not be a factor in a judge. Experience and longevity in the music industry, regardless of the artists genre, should be prime factors in determining who would be a good judge of the contestants over-all talent and Ms. Franklin certainly has these things and then some!

With age comes wisdom. And while we all tend to start looking like wrinkled prunes as we get older, we are also like a fine wine....aged to perfection!

[AIMOD-Maria]

So, Aretha would be the new Simon?

[followthedream]

Here is a link if anyone wants to read what she said

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/music/13192321-421/queen-of-soul-wants-a-shot-at-reality-tv-sp...

I personally would LOVE to see her replace Randy.  It has nothing to do with age or ethnicity, Randy has just worn VERY thin with me (dude, dawg, I'm feelin' ya singing the phone book)

[Larry Wien]

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followthedream wrote:

Here is a link if anyone wants to read what she said

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/music/13192321-421/queen-of-soul-wants-a-shot-at-reality-tv-sp...

I personally would LOVE to see her replace Randy.  It has nothing to do with age or ethnicity, Randy has just worn VERY thin with me (dude, dawg, I'm feelin' ya singing the phone book)

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While I agree with you regarding Randy's content when judging, I also feel that he, along with Ryan, are the last links to Idol's past.   There are only two left, and I'm afraid that if you got rid of either one, the breaking of that link could be rather harsh.    And yeah, I know the same things were said about Paula and SImon, but it's like Randy is one of the last bastions of Idol's past, and in that context, I'd hate to see him go.  

He may not add a lot in context, but in my opinion, he adds a lot in personality and personality on a show where the judges play such an integral part (outside of just judging).  In that regard,  I think he does an admirable job.

[luvmytee]

I don't think it would happen but do think it would be a good move on Idol's part if it did.  Don't have facts or links to support my thinking so I could be totally off base.  But my thinking is that I do believe Idol has lost probably starting with season 4 a great demographic of viewers meaning those viewers who were voting for contestants like Fantastia or Reuben.  Once the contestants changed who were making the top, think these viewers just lost interest and went elsewhere or just went cold turkey on this kind of a TV show.

Also think Idol's competing shows have brought in this group by encouraging more r&b and soul both in the contestants that wound up ultimately competing and by the song choices picked by the judges or mentors. 

So I would think if I were a viewer who had stopped watching this show for lack of interest or lack of being able to identify or for whatever reason, and then heard about Aretha replacing whomever,  think I would tune in for no other reason than out of curiousity.  Then, of course, if Aretha does start bringing in more soul or r&b, think that would keep those viewers staying. 

I mean she is known  as the "queen of soul" and although I do think she would be fair to other genres, obviously (since it has already been discussed over and over again that these judges are also human and as such also have favorites) I do think she would encourage that kind of performer and genre.  Not that these genres have been totally missing over the years, but do think they still are in the minority in terms of the show's run. 

And who would I want her to replace???  Anyone of this current panel of 3 judges.  In fact I would like to see this whole panel replaced. 

[NJsalsa]

I don't think genre is an issue for a judge. There is no judge that fits into the Country genre yet last year both finalists were Country singers. All judges should be able to tell what sounds good to them. When it gets to the final 12 (or 13) though they may go for a certain contestant, it's up to the fans.