Idol' Interview: Randy Jackson
- Best 'Idol' Performances
- Worst 'Idol' Performances
- 'Idol' Stars: Where Are They Now?
- 'Idol' Lookalikes
- Best 'Idol' Performances
- Worst 'Idol' Performances
- 'Idol' Stars: Where Are They Now?
- 'Idol' Lookalikes
- Best 'Idol' Performances
- Worst 'Idol' Performances
- 'Idol' Stars: Where Are They Now?
- 'Idol' Lookalikes
- Best 'Idol' Performances
- Worst 'Idol' Performances
- 'Idol' Stars: Where Are They Now?
- 'Idol' Lookalikes
- Best 'Idol' Performances
- Worst 'Idol' Performances
- 'Idol' Stars: Where Are They Now?
- 'Idol' Lookalikes
- Best 'Idol' Performances
- Worst 'Idol' Performances
- 'Idol' Stars: Where Are They Now?
- 'Idol' Lookalikes
- Best 'Idol' Performances
- Worst 'Idol' Performances
- 'Idol' Stars: Where Are They Now?
- 'Idol' Lookalikes
- Best 'Idol' Performances
- Worst 'Idol' Performances
- 'Idol' Stars: Where Are They Now?
- 'Idol' Lookalikes
- Best 'Idol' Performances
- Worst 'Idol' Performances
- 'Idol' Stars: Where Are They Now?
- 'Idol' Lookalikes
- Best 'Idol' Performances
- Worst 'Idol' Performances
- 'Idol' Stars: Where Are They Now?
- 'Idol' Lookalikes
This dawg can still hunt ... talent.
As a judge on 'American Idol' and the producer of 'America's Best Dance Crew,' Randy Jackson helps find the best singers and dancers across the country. And with 'Idol' heading into its eighth season, Jackson claimed to AOL TV that this year's group is the "most talented bunch we've ever had."
The judge talked to AOL TV about this season's semifinalists, a surprising disqualification and whether four judges is one too many.
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1. What do you think of the top 36 this year?
We say it every season, but I'm not kidding you: I think this is the most talented bunch we've ever had. This is the eighth season of the show. People have seen every other brand of artist. But now, these kids are different than any other season we've had, and I think these boys are some of the most-talented we've ever had.
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2. Both Simon and Paula said they thought a guy would win this season. Do you agree?
One hundred percent. I mean, I've been saying it -- I said it before them, and you can quote me. Yeah. I was the first to say that [laughs]. I just think for some reason this year ... the boys are just on a whole 'nother level. I mean, there are some great girls as well. But we'll see who goes through the ranks, because there's a lot more show to go before we get to the end.
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3. And last season ended with two guys, too.
And these guys are even way different than the guys last season. I mean, it's a whole different kind of slice. With all of these kinds of shows, there's some kid sitting at home that never wanted to do it, that was going "Yeah, I don't want to do that show. It's cheesy, corny, whatever. It's not cool. Whatever, whatever." So, I always say that some year, some kid sitting at home that didn't want to do this in the beginning is going "Hey, you know what? David Cook won, David Archuleta was up there. You know, there's some very talented people, man. Maybe it's time for me to go out there and show my wares." I think that's what helps us grow the show out. I think that's why the show could go on for a long time.
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4. What's the deal with putting through Tatiana Del Toro and "Norman Gentle" (AKA Nick Mitchell)? Did they just get in because they're entertaining?
I'm trying to remember who they are [llaughs] No, we definitely are not doing that, and that's not a conscious effort to do that. Norman Gentle, that's the Jerry Lee Lewis guy, right? I mean, this guy's a bit of a comedian, but when he puts his mind to it, he's actually a really good singer, he's actually got a voice there. And Tatiana, this is the girl that cries all the time? I know that there's a voice there somewhere as well, too. And also, you know, what's interesting always to us, is you go "Who can I remember out of seeing, you know, a hundred thousand people?"
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5. What's your take on Joanna Pacitti's disqualification?
I don't really, really know all the details about it. I think it's just one of those unfortunate things that happens sometimes, you know what I mean?
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6. How's Kara DioGuardi fitting in so far and do you feel like four judges is too many?
I think she's fitting in good. You know, the original idea for the show, from the UK version, 'Pop Idol,' was to have four. We just couldn't quite get it together in time before we went to air and we just went with the three. But I think it's good.
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7. She's just one of the many changes the show is making this season. What do you think about the wild card round returning?
I think the wild card thing is very potent. Many people probably don't remember, but when we had the wild card, Jennifer Hudson was my wild card that season. And also, Clay Aiken was a wild card. You know, sometimes things are missed, and if you look at those two people and how they've gone on to amazing success, you go "Hey, this wild card thing is real. Maybe those judges know a thing or two." [Laughs] Maybe the dawg knows something after all. You know what? Come on. Give the dawg one bone, at least.
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8. And the producers have been saying there are even more changes to come. Can you give us a preview?
We're gonna tweak the genres a little bit. We're gonna tweak the mentor thing a little bit. These are changes that are gonna enhance what the viewer sees at home. It's not really to take away from it. We're just trying to mix it up a little bit. It's not like we're not happy with the success, and blessed with the success of the show, because we truly are.
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9. So, moving on to your other show, 'America's Best Dance Crew.' Is it just me or are the crews getting better every year?
Yeah. It's a funny thing, you know? When we first started,the JabbaWockeeZ were unbelievable, but these crews are so good ... even the contortionists from Brooklyn [Ringmasters] that we had on [and] the cloggers [Dynamic Edition] from Alabama we had on. I mean, it's amazing what these kids are doing in the crews that have come out, man. I knew there were still crews out there doing their thing ... but I mean, I'm just so impressed, man.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)
And this is what they say EVERY year! From what I have seen so far, the "dawg" needs to change that statement to: "We wish this was the most talented bunch we've ever had!
This season has the most boring format EVER!! The tryouts were torturous. We even muted the TV a couple of times. Too many singers, too short clips. Can't wait for the "real" show to begin.
I for one think that the whole show is B.S., especially after J.H. didn't win, look at her now. There's never been, or probably will never be another voice on that hidious show to compare to hers!
She has a very nasty attitude and does not sing that well. Here your sign for the reson she did not win
Although I agree Jennifer should have won, she's a star now so it really doesn't matter anymore. Fantasia will NEVER be the star that Jennifer is. As a matter of fact, she will NEVER be the star that Kelly, Clay or Carrie is either. Simon did not do Fantasia a service by making a house payment for her because she really couldn't care less.
The entire show is BS! People, I'm sure that you can find better things to do with your lives than to decide who tomorrows has been will be.
i agree with eric williams because J.H should've won cuz look at fantasia where she at now but J.H is out there she is one of a kind and unique. oh and last season david archuleta shoulda won but stille he is out ther.
Ignore Erics comments. He probably wishes he could sing. As for idol all that have won have got recording contracts 1- carrie Underwood 2- Kelly Clarkson 3- Cook 4- Jennifer Hudson was an idol contestant 5 - Clay Aiken no need to go further for the show to be B.S. it has produced alot of STARS. I love the show and kelly Clarksons duet with Reba MCintyre was beautiful. carrie is always nominated for female star of the year.
She didn't win because at the time she couldn't sing. She has come a long way since then. And her attitude sucked big time. She was just a big cry baby that literally stomped her feet and argued and cried at every word that was said to her. She also dressed so inappropriately for a young girl trying to be someone that even younger girls would look up to.
And furthermore...you are from Aiken, SC...how funny. If you don't like the show....don't watch and shut up!