LOS ANGELES, May 26 (Reuters) - Simon Cowell on Wednesday will end his nine year run as the judge Americans love to hate on 'American Idol', with no word on who will fill his shoes.
Cowell has said his successor on the TV singing contest should give honest critiques and have solid music industry experience.
Following are some of the names mentioned in the U.S. media as possible candidates for Cowell's 'Idol' job. Fox television executives have not said when they will make an announcement.
HOWARD STERN - Controversial U.S. radio 'shock jock', Stern, 56, has campaigned hard for the job through his Sirius XM satellite radio show. But Stern has no music background other than being a radio personality, and a history of fines for broadcast indecency might make him an unlikely fit for 'American Idol's family audience.
ANTONIO 'L.A' REID - CEO of Island Def Jam Music Group and Grammy-winning producer who signed Avril Lavigne and Justin Bieber, Reid's name has gained ground in the last two weeks but does he want to be a TV star?.
SHANIA TWAIN - Canadian country pop singer and five-time Grammy winner, Twain, 44, was one of the most popular 'Idol' guest judges and mentors this year. But Twain has signed a deal for her own 2011 TV show on OWN:The Oprah Winfrey Network.
STEVE LILLYWHITE - Grammy-award winning British music producer, who has worked with U2, the Dave Matthews Band and Phish. Produced a series of YouTube videos in March touting his credentials, saying 'I would give it my all. It would be my absolute focus.'
SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS - Grammy-award winning rapper, record producer and fashion designer, Combs, 40, has cutting edge experience and a huge fan base. He told MTV last week he wanted the job after finding out how much Cowell gets paid -- but only if his pay is the same.
PEREZ HILTON - Hollywood celebrity blogger with a sharp tongue who has campaigned hard, offering to work for free. Recently worked with 'American Idol' creator Simon Fuller to promote singer Travis Garland but has scant music credentials.
SIR ELTON JOHN - Outspoken British singer-songwriter, 63, whose name was among the first on the 'Idol' rumor mill. However John is reported to have turned down a multi-million dollar offer earlier this month to replace Cowell.
TOMMY MOTTOLA - Former Sony Music boss, ex-husband of Mariah Carey, who counts Jennifer Lopez as his protege and who relaunched the career of Usher. But is there a tug of war with Cowell, who has said Mottola, 60, would be a good choice for his 'X-Factor' show next year?.
HARRY CONNICK JR. - Top-selling singer, actor and composer, he was rated by 'Idol' contestants as their favorite mentor this season. Fans launched a campaign in May backing Connick, 42, but he may have his hands full with his own career.
PIERS MORGAN - Former tabloid newspaper editor and abrasive British judge on 'America's Got Talent' TV show (which was created by Cowell) and 'Britain's Got Talent'. Morgan appeared an obvious choice but laughed off speculation in January, saying 'it will never happen.'
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte) (To read more about our entertainment news, visit our blog 'Fan Fare' online at http://blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/) Keywords: TELEVISION IDOL JUDGES (jill.serjeant1@thomsonreuters.com; +1 213 955 6749) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Cowell has said his successor on the TV singing contest should give honest critiques and have solid music industry experience.
Following are some of the names mentioned in the U.S. media as possible candidates for Cowell's 'Idol' job. Fox television executives have not said when they will make an announcement.
HOWARD STERN - Controversial U.S. radio 'shock jock', Stern, 56, has campaigned hard for the job through his Sirius XM satellite radio show. But Stern has no music background other than being a radio personality, and a history of fines for broadcast indecency might make him an unlikely fit for 'American Idol's family audience.
ANTONIO 'L.A' REID - CEO of Island Def Jam Music Group and Grammy-winning producer who signed Avril Lavigne and Justin Bieber, Reid's name has gained ground in the last two weeks but does he want to be a TV star?.
SHANIA TWAIN - Canadian country pop singer and five-time Grammy winner, Twain, 44, was one of the most popular 'Idol' guest judges and mentors this year. But Twain has signed a deal for her own 2011 TV show on OWN:The Oprah Winfrey Network.
STEVE LILLYWHITE - Grammy-award winning British music producer, who has worked with U2, the Dave Matthews Band and Phish. Produced a series of YouTube videos in March touting his credentials, saying 'I would give it my all. It would be my absolute focus.'
SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS - Grammy-award winning rapper, record producer and fashion designer, Combs, 40, has cutting edge experience and a huge fan base. He told MTV last week he wanted the job after finding out how much Cowell gets paid -- but only if his pay is the same.
PEREZ HILTON - Hollywood celebrity blogger with a sharp tongue who has campaigned hard, offering to work for free. Recently worked with 'American Idol' creator Simon Fuller to promote singer Travis Garland but has scant music credentials.
SIR ELTON JOHN - Outspoken British singer-songwriter, 63, whose name was among the first on the 'Idol' rumor mill. However John is reported to have turned down a multi-million dollar offer earlier this month to replace Cowell.
TOMMY MOTTOLA - Former Sony Music boss, ex-husband of Mariah Carey, who counts Jennifer Lopez as his protege and who relaunched the career of Usher. But is there a tug of war with Cowell, who has said Mottola, 60, would be a good choice for his 'X-Factor' show next year?.
HARRY CONNICK JR. - Top-selling singer, actor and composer, he was rated by 'Idol' contestants as their favorite mentor this season. Fans launched a campaign in May backing Connick, 42, but he may have his hands full with his own career.
PIERS MORGAN - Former tabloid newspaper editor and abrasive British judge on 'America's Got Talent' TV show (which was created by Cowell) and 'Britain's Got Talent'. Morgan appeared an obvious choice but laughed off speculation in January, saying 'it will never happen.'
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte) (To read more about our entertainment news, visit our blog 'Fan Fare' online at http://blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/) Keywords: TELEVISION IDOL JUDGES (jill.serjeant1@thomsonreuters.com; +1 213 955 6749) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
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