Pros: One of the only performers on the planet with inarguable icon status. A friend of the show, whose music has been used and who most recently appeared as a guest performer on the
Idol Gives Back telethon, it
has been reported that he is the favorite of
Idol producers. His hiring would certainly create a splash worthy of the moment, and his saucy style could fit well into the
Idol mix. Perpetually active, although retired from recording his own albums, one could well picture him enjoying this new kind of limelight. Also, he would bring an unquestionable knowledge of the music world.
Cons: The question of whether a star as big as he would truly roll up his sleeves and do the hard work of judging, being willing to be the recipient of boos as Cowell as was. In a show, like all shows, perpetually trying to reach younger audiences, he's not exactly Justin Bieber.
ODDS: 4 - 1
Pros: As the man who discovered (and married) Mariah Carey, he brings talent scout bona fides to the table. Nikki Finke
reported back in January that he had all but closed the deal on the job.
Cons: Despite that report, there is no sign of a deal. Mottola may bring music credentials, but he is largely unknown outside the industry. And it's been a few years since his last big thing.
ODDS: 40 – 1
Pros: Would bring the show an authoritative godfather-like presence.
Cons: The aged, semi-retired mogul is definitely not the face of
Idol's young viewers. A fraught history with some
Idol alumni, including Prodigal Daughter Kelly Clarkson, could make for some awkward chemistry.
ODDS: 30 – 1
Pros: NPH impressed many in his stint as guest judge during the
Idol audition tour with just the right mix of causticity and enthusiasm. Thanks to his Emmy and Tony hosting duties, the former child star has transformed himself into something of a wry, witty Johnny Carson figure for a more expansive age.
Cons: The person who fills the Cowell chair must be able to say, "I know what it is to make a star and I have a wall full of platinum albums to prove it." As sharp as his critiques may be, the panel already has the amateur enthusiast spot filled by Ellen.
ODDS: 25 – 1
Pros: As the man who has guided the careers of Madonna and Alanis Morissette, among others, his star-making ability is unimpeachable, and a decade more up to date than Clive Davis'.
Cons: As Madonna's manager, Oseary has showed a career-long contentment with remaining in the background and has avoided the limelight. Having sold his label, Maverick, for a sum well in the nine-figure range, he doesn't need the money (although who couldn't use a few dozen million more?).
ODDS: 15 – 1
Pros: Having just made his second mentor appearance on the show, Foxx has certainly proven his enthusiasm for the competition and his aggressive hands-on approach with the contestants demonstrates his strong sense of what it takes to become a star today. He is never at a loss for words or opinions. Manages to feel contemporary while retaining some gravitas.
Cons: While he has dabbled in music, he remains primarily an actor.
ODDS: 6 – 1
Pros: A rumor widely encouraged by the star himself. The announcement would certainly make news, and the interest it would bring would be endless. Would be a bold, dice-rolling, network-shaking move that could reinvent the show for a circus-like age. One thing you could be sure of: Stern as a judge would never be boring.
Cons: Stern's controversial stripper-centric persona is anathema to
Idol's family audiences. While it would get attention, also risks alienating and in one swoop scaring away much of the broadest audience in television.
ODDS: Million – 1
Pros: The most talked-about
Idol of modern times was thought to have acquitted himself brilliantly in his recent mentor stint. There's something to be said for maintaining a hermetic universe. Why not keep it in the family, letting
Idol build upon
Idols of legend?
Cons: An icon in the making though he may well be, Lambert's career remains a work in progress. He has excitement around him, but not yet gravitas. And he himself would probably be best served by focusing on his own music, rather than keeping his banner firmly tied to the
Idol stage.
ODDS: 40 – 1
Pros: Probably no figure in contemporary American music fills the godfather role better than Diddy.
Cons: Rambling, discursive, self-referential, often unhinged speaking style not necessarily suited to the "final arbiter" role carved out by Cowell.
ODDS: 35 – 1
Pros: His able handling of the singers as mentor during Sinatra week recently sparked a Connick Jr. boomlet on the web. Certainly a smooth, compelling presence.
Cons: While semi-iconic, his style is not exactly on the cusp of today's pop music trends.
ODDS: 40 – 1
Pros: The
Got Talent jurist—both in the U.S. and U.K.—has cast himself in the Cowell model to a tee.
Cons: Bringing on "Cowell-light" will not exactly add sizzle to the
Idol formula
ODDS: 70 – 1
Pros: Star-making credentials established across the decades; a singular presence in American culture.
Cons: The oddness factor might be just a bit too much for
Idol audiences to handle.
ODDS: 70 – 1
Pros: The Walter Winchell of the Paris Hilton age has been openly
campaigning for the seat. With his championing of Lady Gaga's early career, he proved he has his finger on the pulse of a generation of pop consumers.
Cons: As demonstrated by some of his more
extravagant moments, might be a better presence behind the camera than in front. His online career built on writing "Do Me" on celeb pictures also might not be camera-ready for the broad
Idol audience—though he is perhaps suited for the U.S. edition of
X Factor.
ODDS: 75 – 1
All active music icons not mentioned above including Madonna, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Billy Joel, Ringo Starr, Roger Daltrey, David Bowie, Johnny Rotten, Simon LeBon, Pat Benatar, Carol King, Phil Collins, and Little Richard.
Pros: Star power. They are available (and bargain priced!).
Cons: How seriously they would take the responsibility of being the ultimate life and death, thumbs-up/thumbs-down vote is a great unknown.
ODDS: 3 – 1.
Kara DioGuardi
Pros: After a bumpy debutante season, Kara has won wide praise as the most astute of the
Idol jurists, since her critiques the most in touch with contemporary pop.
Cons: Still hasn't endeared herself to audiences on an emotional level and demonstrates an awkward, trying-too-hard chemistry with the others.
Ellen DeGeneres
Pros: Genuinely beloved on a personal level by
Idol audiences. Has brought needed humor to the panel.
Cons: Lacks a clear role in the group. Has neither fully embraced the "everyman" spokesperson or contestants' advocate roles that seemed her likely place. Too scripted.
Randy Jackson
Pros: Continuity—next year, he will be the last of
Idol's original tribunal.
Cons: Has seemed to be phoning it in for a few seasons now.
