During a press conference earlier this morning, Ryan Seacrest confirmed what we already knew for the past month; Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are joining Randy Jackson on the American Idol judges panel.
Is anyone actually shocked by this news?
I feel like since these have been the two consistent names in the Idol rumor mill for months now that I was very prepared for this news today. However, it doesn't mean that I have to like it.
I still feel like I did a couple months ago about Steven Tyler being involved with Idol. I don't understand why he would want to be a judge on the panel. He's Steven Tyler. Right now, the only thing I want from him is to tell the contestants to stop butchering "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" and "Dream On."
What can you really say about Jennifer Lopez that hasn't already been said? Other than the fact that she will probably be judging much more talented singers than herself. I have a feeling that Lopez is on the panel as an attempt to stay relevant to pop culture. I guess when your latest music is lame and your last movie was a flop, you have to get your name out there somehow, right? 
I am happy that Randy Jackson is still on the panel, because I have a feeling that he is going to be the only judge from the panel to keep it real and tell the contestants how it is. I don't know if the "star power" on the panel will be able to really speak their minds. What celebrity wants to be the bearer of bad news to an up and coming performer? That reason alone is why Idol should have tried to have held onto Kara DioGuardi. She wasn't as offensive as Simon Cowell could be, but she told the contestants what they needed to hear.
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Article comments
1 - Jill
I am not a fan of Lopez or Tyler. I personally thought Kara was a fantastic judge and I still don't understand why she left.
Been a fan of AI since season one. Have a sinking feeling that I and many will be utterly disappointed in AI this year. Hope I am wrong....
2 - Kirsten
Jill -- I do think Idol might be biting off more than they can chew with all the changes they are making.
Even though I was not a huge fan of Kara's during the two seasons she was on the show, I am also surprised she left.
The season is looking like it may be a huge train wreck, I hope for the fan's sake that it is not.