Season 8 mentor madness!

So there's been a lot of talk in the wind in the Last few days about one of the most controversial topics in Idoldome -- mentors.  In past years, there has been criticism that the line of Andrew Lloyd Webbers, Barry Manilows and Clive Davises who have coached the contestants has not exactly endeared the show to the younger end of its demo.

On the other hand, there has been the perspective -- which I happen to share -- that the mentors are a wonderful opportunity for a waltz through music history and a great chance to bring the American songbook to a younger generation.   

In my chat with executive producer Ken Warwick the other day, he made the point that, “it’s no good putting a one-hit wonder kid, that might be the hottest thing on earth now, because what are they going to say?  They are lucky enough to be there themselves.”  However, he also did say that he was looking to skew the mentors younger this season.

In his press call yesterday, Judge Simon Cowell suggested Britney Spears and Beyonce would make excellent mentors on the show.

So I put the question to the jury: Who would you like to see mentor this season?  Do you think the mentors in the past skewed too old?  Would you be drawn to the show or turned off if Katy Perry showed up as a mentor. (For myself, Gwen Stefani week was as pop as I'd want to go.)

Please discuss in the comments section and I'll tally up the results of our conclave in a post tomorrow.

-- Richard Rushfield
Photo: Fox

Comments

[Davros]

Brad Paisley, Alicia Keyes, Gene Simmons, and Pat Benatar.

[Widya]

Please not Katy Perry!

Since Warwick said he was pulling young mentors, I'm hoping to see Beyonce, Christina Aguilera and maybe the previous successful Idols like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood , Daughtry, Jordin Sparks and David Cook?

[rhonda]

i would love to see kelly and carrie come back as mentors, together. that would be really cool to see them working with the contestants as one cohesive unit.

[DJ]

I would love to see Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, or Alicia Keys be a mentor, but please no Katy Perry or Britney. I want people who can actually sing oh and having the former idols to come back and mentor could be a good idea too.