Randy Jackson
Randy Jackson: I'm leaving 'Idol'Bill Keveney, USA TODAY 7:41 p.m. EDT May 9, 2013
The musician and producer, who has been at the judges' table since the first season, says he's not coming back.Dawg, he's no longer in it to win it.
Randy Jackson, the musician and producer who has been a judge on American Idol since Season 1, says he will not be coming back to the panel for Season 13 next year.
"Yo! Yo! Yo!" he said in a statement released by his publicist. "To put all of the speculation to rest, after twelve years of judging on American Idol I have decided to leave after this season. I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It's been a life changing opportunity but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures."
Fox declined comment.
The "speculation" Jackson refers to is Idol's drifting fortunes this season, with friction between panel-mates Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, and ratings down double digits year over year. The situation has spurred conjecture and some unsourced reports that Fox is planning an overhaul for next spring's cycle.
The "speculation" Jackson refers to is Idol's drifting fortunes this season, with friction between panel-mates Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey, and ratings down double digits year over year. The situation has spurred conjecture and some unsourced reports that Fox is planning an overhaul for next spring's cycle.
With Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, Jackson was part of the original 2002 judging trio that helped turn Idol into the country's biggest TV show and a pop culture phenomenon. Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest are the only on-air originals who remain.
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