Have no fear fans of the new American Idol judging panel, Jennifer Lopez and her wise cracking compatriots will be back for another season.
Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe confirmed the return of the judging panel and Ryan Seacrest during a phone interview with Seacrest on Seacrest’s radio show Wednesday morning. Lythgoe confirmed, “I am delighted to say that all three judges, along with the brilliant host of ‘American Idol’ is back for the next season.”Seacrest added, via Twitter, that auditions would begin for the next season ”in a couple of weeks.”
TheWrap.com reported last week that JLo was re-upping for a ridiciulous $20 million dollars – a significant jump from the $12 million she was making last season. Apparently her salary hike is causing friction with fellow judge Steven Tyler. Tyler signed on for two seasons initially, which leaves him making less than Lopez this year because he didn’t have the opportunity to renegotiate.
Judging by the comments on the Reuters story about the stars new contract, shelling out this kind of money for celebrities to do relatively easy work right now when so many people around the world can’t find work at all may hurt the show. What do you think Idol fans? Is JLo really worth $20 mil?