TV Tattler: Celebrity Interviews

Randy Jackson Returns for 'Idol' Round Six

Related Links 'Idol' News, Photos & More More About Randy Jackson

Jan. 17 -- America's beloved "dawg," Randy Jackson, has taken his place beside Simon and Paula for another season of the Fox juggernaut 'American Idol.'

Will Mariah Carey make an appearance this season? Who's his favorite 'Idol'? And what does he make of Jennifer Hudson's success?

During a recent interview with TV reporters, the laid-back 'Idol' judge weighed in on that and more.

Every year, producers make a few tweaks to the show. Anything new this year that we can expect?
I'm going to wear more yellow and lime green in honor of Gnarls Barkley. I'm going to come dressed like a Jedi every week like Gnarls Barkley. No. We have a few things that we change, but I think the formula is pretty much what it is. I mean you'll see a couple of wrinkles here and there, but of course, I can't tell you what that is.

Simon has complained about the guest judges that you guys bring in during auditions. Do you like the guest judges or could you live without them?
I think I could definitely live without them. I mean the show works because it's the three of us on the panel and kind of what we do and how we interact. I don't necessarily think that we need guest judges. I think when people come into the arena that we judge in, it's often a little awkward and a little hard for them. I think people look at the show as a fan and go, "I could do that. I'd love to be there." It's almost like saying I could be a pitcher or I could win the Cy Young Award. Actually, I couldn't. I don't even know if I could pitch Little League. I mean, yes, you could do it, but is it going to be great? Or are you just there for the TV face time?

How long will the show's success continue, and what would have to happen for the show to suddenly not be as successful as it was the year before?
Listen, I mean, I think this is the greatest music talent show ever, right? I mean I know that me, Simon, and Paula, we never really think about the ratings or look at that or whatever. I think we just go out and kind of do what we do. I think there's an abundance of talent in America. You see what's happening to Jennifer Hudson, who didn't even win that year; that tells you right there there's a lot of great talent out there. It's just about finding it. I think the show can continue to be successful as long as we go out and find great talent.

Did any particular genre shine during the auditions?
This year it's really weird, man. We had some of everything. There was, of course, more rock guys because of Chris Daughtry and stuff that happened. I think there were a couple of more kind of Taylor Hicks kind of guys. I think, fortunately for us every year, the show gets more validation because people see that there's great people that have won and gone on to great careers.

Have you seen Jennifer Hudson since 'Dream Girls' came out?
Yes, I went to the premiere here in L.A. of 'Dream Girls' and talked to her for quite a long time. She [said,] "Thank you for making me your wildcard pick," because sometimes we forget; years go by. She was my wildcard pick that year. I just say to all of them, 'Make sure you make the right record." That's what it's all about. We talk about it on the show, and we get a lot of flack from it on the show, but it's all about great songs on the show, great songs after the show. That's what makes hit records -- great songs.

You were quoted as saying you were going to call up Mariah Carey and ask her to be a mentor to the kids and sing on the show. Is that going to happen?
I don't know. I mean, I've been thinking about it. We've tossed it around a bit. I think she'd be great because I think still, for me, she and Whitney and Celine are those three big great divas. I mean, some of the better singers of our time that we've ever known.

She was open to it?
Yes. I mean definitely open to it, so we'll see what happens.

Some rumors are going around about group performance situations where the contestants will be judged in groups -- and not just during Hollywood week? Is there any truth to that?
You've got to stay tuned to see if that comes true or not.

Any standouts so far, good contestants?
I think what's going to happen this year is Simon and I have been saying it's more like season one. I think it's going to be somebody that really grows during the competition. There are a bunch of standouts, but you know what happens is what we've seen over the years is that you see these people audition in their audition city and they're great. Then they come to Hollywood week and they're not so great and the tension just gets worse and worse and worse as the season goes on.

What about a guy like last season's Elliott Yamin, who kind of came out of left field? What do you think about what his future is going to hold?
I think that he's got a bright future ahead of him. I really like this kid. I think that he is the heart of what the competition is really about. I mean this guy loved every moment of it. I mean he rose to the occasion, a really great singer. I mean the fact that he's 90 percent deaf in one ear and he sings like he sings, dude, I love this kid. I love what he stands for. I think he's the bomb. I think he's got a bright future.

What's the advice that people most ignore that you wish they wouldn't?
Song choice, song choice, song choice. Understand who you are, because what you tell me as a judge when you sing a song that's way too big for you, you tell me you have no idea how good you are and what you sing best, so you just told me you have no idea what you're doing. I'm going to imagine that almost every time you're going to pick the wrong song for you. Do you know what I mean?

Of all of the people who have been on the show, winners or not, do you have a favorite?
I think what comes to mind really quickly is my two favorites probably hands down are Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia.

If you could have been in charge, rather than the voting audience, is there any winner you would have changed?
No. I think the public has gotten it right every time. I believe in America.

Whose record do you think has been the best so far?
Listen, all you've got to do is you can look at the past Idols and you can tell who's done the best. Kelly Clarkson's done the best hands down. I mean her last record sold 10 million copies. What that says to me is that she hit her public square on the bullseye, so people believed her. They loved the songs. She had great songs. I think that song 'Breakaway' is a career record. I think 'Breakaway' is the best song ever recorded by any Idol to date on any record.