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Randy Jackson Feels "Idol"
The judge dishes from his seat on "the best talent show ever"
With Fox's American Idol's fifth season already proving to be the most successful, it's no wonder record producer and Idol judge Randy Jackson sees no end to what he calls "the best talent show ever." And with the U.S. version of the British hit show recently extended through 2011, Idol has become a mainstay. Though still in its early stages (the initial auditions showcasing the best and worst a city has to offer), this season is capturing the largest number of viewers in the show's history: 40 million. Also lending credence to Idol's staying power is the fact that this year, with the 48th Annual Grammy Awards just days away, two alumni -- Kelly Clarkson and Fantasia Barrino -- are in the running for Best Album in their respective categories.
How do you feel about the success of American Idol?
Really happy, really elated just knowing that we're so blessed. Season Five, to have ratings like this. I think part of the thing for me is that I think none of us thought it would be this big . . . I don't want to read into it, buy into it, whatever. I just want it to be.
Why do viewers keep watching?
Because it's kind of this addictive thing that you become emotionally invested in. And it's the Rocky story in it. Ruben didn't look like anyone any record company had signed; Fantasia wasn't like anyone they had signed; Kelly doesn't look like any girl any record company's gonna rush out and sign like that. So these are for the underdogs. You're basically cheering yourself on, you know? We're not out to find the poster kids and say, "Let's sign them." We're out to find the best undiscovered [talent] and really herald that. And I must say, with all the problems during the season, every year America still gets it right in the end.
How grueling is it to sift through all that talent -- or lack thereof?
It's hard because the days are long -- but, I mean, how hard is it really? The days definitely get a little long in the tooth, and you see us dragging and we're like, "Where's the jump-off from this, dawg?" It gets a little old. You see the makeup, and you see us eventually looking beat down and tired.
Is that what fuels the tensions between you and the other judges [Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul]?
I think so. I think that's why Simon walked out [last Wednesday]. It was a tough day in San Francisco, and he just couldn't take it. The heat got a little too hot in the kitchen for the boy. Some would say that maybe it was the time of the month for the dude. Whatcha gonna do? C'mon, you gotta hang in there, son!
What are you a sucker for in a contestant?
I don't care what you look like -- if you're blowing and you're singing in tune and you're great. Yo, this is what this competition is about. With Simon, the look thing is very important. And, I mean, it's important to me too, but it's secondary to the talent. Because I know as a producer that if I find someone that can blow and I've got a good song, we're gonna get some love.
How important is it for someone to be comfortable in their own skin?
I think it's extremely important. Nerves say to me that you haven't been doing this long enough and that you're going to fall apart at any minute. So I always tell people that one of the best things I did as a musician coming up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was I played a thousand million gigs. I mean, I played in bars for no money, weddings, bar mitzvahs, whatever. Anywhere I could play, I played. Because what that does is that helps you become more seasoned and also gives you a platform to try out everything: change your hair color, change your clothes, play differently, sing differently. That's like your rehearsal time. So when you get your shot, you're ready. And you're like, "Yo, I don't care. I'm ready for this! Ain't nobody going to stop me now!"
Among the new contestants, do you think Paris [Bennett] is a shoe-in? Or Katherine [McPhee]?
I think Paris is very talented. I think she has potential to be in the Top Twelve -- Katherine as well. But I don't think any of them are shoe-ins, because what you have to remember is that you have to be great every week. And America has to vote for you -- so that's also a wildcard. We comment, but some weeks America's with us and some weeks they're like, "Yo, those judges are crazy. I don't know what they're talking about, dawg!"
After so many seasons judging new talent, do you find yourself taking a more critical look at today's pop stars?
Not really -- it's what I've been doing all my life. With us three judges, we call it like we see it. We each have twenty-five years plus in the music industry. Simon was an executive in the U.K., still is; Paula's a star and an artist in her own right. I was an executive for fourteen years, senior VP of A&R at Columbia Records and MCA Records and a staff producer at both places. And I had been producing and songwriting and playing for a long time and blessed to play with a lot of great legends. I critiqued myself when I was coming up. I still do sometimes.
You mention your career prior to Idol. You've worked with some great people -- from Madonna to Bruce Springsteen to Mariah Carey. What are your feelings on Mariah's comeback success?
I'm so happy for her. I was fortunate enough to work on the Emancipation of Mimi record with her. I'm performing on the Grammys with her on Wednesday. She's still one of my best friends in the world -- and one of the greatest talents the world has ever seen. As a writer, she's unbelievable -- seventeen Number One hits that she's co-written -- and as a singer, probably one of the five best singers in the known world. After selling 160 million albums, she's the bomb. I love her. She deserves all of it.
Fantasia and Kelly Clarkson could both walk away with a Grammy, which would give Idol additional legitimacy. What are your feelings on that?
I feel proud of the validity of the show, and I do think Fantasia and Kelly could walk away with a Grammy. I'm happiest at the end of the show when the public has chosen the one that we all feel is "the one," and seeing these people go on to great success. This is a show that wins you an opportunity to be instantly famous -- and a huge recording contract with Clive Davis himself, one of the greatest people in the history of the music business. I'm happy when it all cooks and works.
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PJ_HARVEY
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4 ก.พ. 49 13:03:32
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