Pop star and actress Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler are joining TV singing contest "American Idol" as judges
The move comes as part of a major overhaul aimed at keeping the show No. 1 with viewers as it enters its 10th year.
Producers announced the signing of Lopez, 41, the singer and star of movies such as "The Wedding Planner", and Tyler, 61, at a glitzy event in Los Angeles that ended months of speculation over who would join the judging panel.
Record producer Randy Jackson remains the only original judge since the programme debuted on Fox television in 2001, and Ryan Seacrest will remain as host.
"American Idol" producers announced other big changes to get away from what they called the "karaoke" feel of the show when it returns to U.S. television in January 2011 after a four year ratings decline.
Universal Music executive Jimmy Iovine will act as an in-house mentor and will be featured behind the scenes working weekly with aspiring pop stars as they compete to become the 2011 "American Idol."
Major record producers like Timbaland also will work with the contestants, but celebrity guest mentors will not be used and contestants must dance more. The moves are a bid to find genuine stars like first champion Kelly Clarkson who went on to a Grammy-winning career.
"We are 10 years-old and we are being given the opportunity to recreate the magic," returning executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said at a news conference announcing the changes. "We have got to go back to creating an 'American Idol'"
ROCK 'N' ROLLERCOASTER
Lopez and Tyler replace British judge Simon Cowell, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and songwriter Kara DioGuardi as the judging panel returns to its original three-person format.
Tyler said he wanted to "bring some rock to this rollercoaster".
"I want to give everybody a little love before I decide who goes home heartbroken. If you don't like what I say, don't get mad, get better," the colourful Aerosmith showman added.
WON'T BE CRUEL
Lopez, star of movies like "The Wedding Planner", admitted that despite being a fan of "American Idol" (and a former guest mentor) she "kinda raised my eyebrows at first" when approached.
But, "my career has always been the type that has been changing and evolving... It felt the right thing at the right time for me... I am going to give it 100 percent and my whole heart and passion," she said.
There will be no nastiness from her, in the vein of Simon Cowell.
"I believe in tough love, but I don't think I will ever, as an artist myself, be cruel to another artist. I think there are definitely better ways to say things," Lopez said.
Jennifer Lopez joins American Idol
Pop star and actress Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler are joining TV singing contest "American Idol" as judges
The move comes as part of a major overhaul aimed at keeping the show No. 1 with viewers as it enters its 10th year.
Producers announced the signing of Lopez, 41, the singer and star of movies such as "The Wedding Planner", and Tyler, 61, at a glitzy event in Los Angeles that ended months of speculation over who would join the judging panel.
Record producer Randy Jackson remains the only original judge since the programme debuted on Fox television in 2001, and Ryan Seacrest will remain as host.
"American Idol" producers announced other big changes to get away from what they called the "karaoke" feel of the show when it returns to U.S. television in January 2011 after a four year ratings decline.
Universal Music executive Jimmy Iovine will act as an in-house mentor and will be featured behind the scenes working weekly with aspiring pop stars as they compete to become the 2011 "American Idol."
Major record producers like Timbaland also will work with the contestants, but celebrity guest mentors will not be used and contestants must dance more. The moves are a bid to find genuine stars like first champion Kelly Clarkson who went on to a Grammy-winning career.
"We are 10 years-old and we are being given the opportunity to recreate the magic," returning executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said at a news conference announcing the changes. "We have got to go back to creating an 'American Idol'"
ROCK 'N' ROLLERCOASTER
Lopez and Tyler replace British judge Simon Cowell, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and songwriter Kara DioGuardi as the judging panel returns to its original three-person format.
Tyler said he wanted to "bring some rock to this rollercoaster".
"I want to give everybody a little love before I decide who goes home heartbroken. If you don't like what I say, don't get mad, get better," the colourful Aerosmith showman added.
WON'T BE CRUEL
Lopez, star of movies like "The Wedding Planner", admitted that despite being a fan of "American Idol" (and a former guest mentor) she "kinda raised my eyebrows at first" when approached.
But, "my career has always been the type that has been changing and evolving... It felt the right thing at the right time for me... I am going to give it 100 percent and my whole heart and passion," she said.
There will be no nastiness from her, in the vein of Simon Cowell.
"I believe in tough love, but I don't think I will ever, as an artist myself, be cruel to another artist. I think there are definitely better ways to say things," Lopez said.
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