American Idol returns betting big on new judges
Tune in to American Idol 12 in Singapore. Premieres Jan 17, 2013 on Thursdays and Fridays, 6pm and 8pm on Star World (StarHub Ch 501) and Star World HD (Singtel mio TV Ch 301, StarHub Ch 555).
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LOS ANGELES (AP) - American Idol is facing a US$36 million (S$44 million)-plus question: Will that combined paycheck lavished on superstar judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban pay off in ratings? The newcomers have their work cut out for them whether they earn it with colorful feuding or by discovering a singer who can charm America.
The talent show, a TV groundbreaker when it debuted in 2002 despite a starless panel with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, needs every edge as its audience erodes and other contests emerge as challengers.
"I think it's actually a renewal (of Idol) every couple of years, and what you're seeing now is this panel has reinvigorated the show," said Mr Mike Darnell, Fox president of alternative entertainment.
NBC's The Voice, one of the newcomers, enjoyed immediate success with brand-name panelists Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine. But famous faces don't guarantee a return, as Cowell's The X Factor most recently proved.
