American Idol Judges

With the Season 11 premiere only a few weeks away, 'American Idol' boss Nigel Lythgoe has released a new promo video (watch it after the jump) and talked about his plans for the show.

After all the upheaval surrounding Season 10 after the departure of Simon Cowell and the most of the judging panel, Lythgoe says he's done changing the show around. He told the AP "I think we made a lot of tweaks last year. I'm not sure that we want to make too many more tweaks this year."

Lythgoe acknowledged that the biggest change he made to the show in Season 10, which was to stop making contestants sing in styles other than their own, had been a game-changer. It produced the first country winner since 2005, and made it possible for contestants like Casey Abrams to go further in the competition than they might have done otherwise.

It seems as though the game of cat and mouse that Jennifer Lopez has been playing with 'American Idol' execs all summer may soon be at an end.

According to 'The Wall Street Journal,' Lopez is close to signing a deal that will bring her back to the 'American Idol' judging panel for at least one more season.

When Lopez's original one-year contract -- estimated at $12 million -- expired back in May she said she was "on the fence" about committing to the series for another season, and she's been pitching her own TV talent show to networks.

'Idol' execs, in return, then let it be known that they were lining up possible replacements should they be unable to lure her back.

Jennifer Lopez recently told the BBC that she's "on the fence" about returning to 'American Idol' next season. Although many insiders have dismissed it as just a ploy to get a pay hike, 'Idol' execs are already discussing possible replacements should they not be able to entice J.Lo to return.

"Right now the star of 'American Idol' is Steven Tyler," an insider source tells Popeater. "Everyone thought after Simon announced he was leaving that [Lopez] would fill the void. How wrong were they? It's all about Steven, who's already signed on for Season 11."

The ninth season of 'American Idol' is finally drawing to a close, and for most viewers, questions abound. But while many people are wondering who will win this year, we're still fixated on a much more important question: What are we going to do without Simon Cowell?

Cowell, of course, is leaving after next week's finale, leaving a massive hole in 'American Idol' -- and in our hearts. Oh, sure, there's no question that 'Idol' will find someone to fill his chair on the judging panel, but we doubt that anyone can fill his shoes. He's a one-of-a-kind American original ... despite the fact that he's not American at all.

So in honor of Simon's departure, and with a tear-stained hankie firmly in hand, we thought we'd take a look back at all the wonderful memories he's given us over the past nine seasons by presenting to you our Top 9 Reasons We'll Miss Simon Cowell.

Even though this video was done for Funny or Die, I have no doubt that Perez Hilton really would like to replace Simon Cowell on 'American Idol.' I don't think that's going to happen, but if it does, that's the moment that 'Idol' becomes unwatchable. Hilton is a cancer on the American pop culture landscape. Is this what passes for humor now?

[via The Wrap]

It was the tweet heard 'round the world.

Last night, Paula Abdul announced she was leaving 'American Idol' via Twitter: "With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to #IDOL."

Fox confirmed her departure, stating the network was "saddened" but wished her the best. While fellow judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi have yet to comment, host Ryan Seacrest tweeted that he couldn't "imagine the panel without" her.

Wait ... hold the phone, er, Twitter. Is this really happening? Because if Paula truly does not return to 'American Idol,' the show will be ruined. It's done.

Paula is an integral part of the show -- and Fox is stupid to let her go. Here are five reasons why 'Idol' will never be the same after Paula's departure ...

You'll recognize them immediately: Randy's "pitchy" problems; Paula's patronizing critiques; Ryan and Simon's on-stage bickering.

These are just some of the clichés that have dominated the 'American Idol' airwaves from the beginning.

We're counting down the 11 biggest clichés ever. Check them out ... after the jump.

Straight up, now tell us: What's your favorite wacky Paula Abdul moment?

Would it be her bickering with Simon on 'Idol' or breaking into tears over her favorite 'AI' contestants? How about her many meltdowns on 'Hey Paula,' or her infamously incoherent TV interview?

It's an embarrassment of riches with the pop diva-turned-reality TV star, as our trip down Abdul memory lane proves.

What would 'American Idol' be like without Simon Cowell? Bloody boring, if you ask us.

The caustic critic regularly steals the spotlight from Randy, Paula and the struggling songbirds on the main stage with his brutal assessments. According to Forbes magazine, Cowell pulls down a hefty $43 mil a year. You'd think that would be enough money to soften him up, but lucky for us, no such luck.

Read on for some of the most memorable jabs and musings from the King of Mean.