Why Jennifer Lopez on 'American Idol' could be a good thing

So Jenny from the block is joining "American Idol” after all?

After the singer-actress’ initial deal with Fox’s singing juggernaut was said to have crashed and burned -- the word in the blogosphere is that her demands reached (gasp) diva proportions -- Jennifer Lopez has reportedly finalized a $12-million deal to sit at the judge’s table, which is only a quarter of the way occupied (Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler is supposedly joining and the panel will revert to three judges) for the show’s upcoming 10th season.

Now, we know what you’re thinking.

The mere thought of the singer-actress-fashionista joining the ranks has brought more than a few sighs of “Why?” among some "Idol" fans. But Lopez can actually be an asset to the show, which suffered a great deal last season.

It’s essential to offer full disclosure here. This particular Pop & Hiss writer is an unabashed hard-core fan of Lopez (I even find ways to defend “Gigli” and “Brave,” her biggest commercial failures in film and music, respectively). But make no mistake, I’m not blinded by the skepticism that has plagued much, if not all, of her career -- especially when it comes to her music endeavors.

Despite the show’s attempt to start showcasing more singer-songwriters in past seasons -- even allowing them to play live instruments onstage -- the house that Kelly Clarkson built will always be about finding the next big mainstream star to cash in on -- sorry, Crystal Bowersox -- and sadly, part of that comes with branding and packaging your pop star for the big leagues.

It has always been painful watching contestants such as Bowersox, Jason Castro, Bo Bice and even Taylor Hicks go from just being humble musicians to manufactured artists who ultimately become yet another face in the “Where’s Waldo?” world of “Idol” contestants never to be seen or heard from again (Sorry, Bowersox, let’s hope that doesn’t become your fate).

This is where Lopez enters the picture.

Granted, I’m a fan, but I would never for a moment say her voice is in the ballpark of pop greats such as Beyoncé or Lady Gaga --  but what she offers, what made her stick out and dominate the charts, was a total package. That has always been her strength -- she had the catchiest hooks, the edgiest looks and the best videos (we can all admit that “Waiting for Tonight” played at our respective millennium celebrations).

Ultimately, in a competition such as “American Idol,” that’s what matters -- even if voters choose to ignore that in favor of a contestant with a better back story. Lopez has always been about the package, much like former judge Paula Abdul (though Lopez is, you know, a bit more eloquent in her delivery, as she proved in her stint as mentor a few years back), and hopefully that shows. That was supposed to be Ellen DeGeneres' forte last season: judging the acts on how they presented themselves.

Earlier this summer, Times writer Patrick Goldstein even asked on his Big Picture blog whether Lopez could breathe life into the show. Goldstein thought that “she always made great TV material, but not as another lukewarm enabler for 'Idol's' amateur cavalcade of talent.”

While it’s tough to predict whether Lopez, or even Tyler, can save the competition, she'll hopefully use the wits that paid off early in her career to judge the new crop of talent. She never pretended to be a powerhouse vocalist, but she always held her own. And in today's world of pop, where over-the-top images reign supreme (Ke$ha is surprisingly still around), Lopez offers a unique perspective for the contestants. With J.Lo on board, she can offer nice tidbits on stage presence, putting together a good look -- and hey, she can even offer a thing or two about singing. She is, after all, a pop idol, the very thing the show is searching for.

-- Gerrick D. Kennedy

twitter.com/gerrickkennedy

Photo: Jennifer Lopez performs at the 2010 World Music Awards in May. Credit: Luca Littardi / World Music Awards.

Comments

[lindakay]

What Idol needs is someone who will work with the talent to pick the right songs, style them in the right way and train them to move around the stage and put on a show. That's what Idol's all about...I hope it picks back up now that Nigel is back...

[dgstan]

JHC - Could you imagine if Steven Tyler and J.Lo. were sitting next each other? My head would explode from the juxtaposition of beauty and beastliness.

[fictitiousreality]

Don't worry about Crystal. Shes having the time of her life, opening for Michael Franti last weekend at PTTP and later in the month playing alongside Melissa Ethridge for Pinktober. I think shes gonna be fine. Just saying that while some people need a title, others just need the exposure :)

It'd be interesting to see what happens with the new judges. AI needs to evolve with the new judges taking into consideration theirs and contestants strengths. Otherwise the show is gonna continue going downhill. JMO

[thetruth]

I don't know where you're looking, but I've seen Taylor Hicks on TV twice in the past 2 weeks - The Gulf is Back special and today on the Wendy Williams show. He's also in the middle of a successful 30 date summer tour and he just finished up 18 months on the road with Grease (and 3 month ON Broadway) before that.

I would say that Tayor Hicks is one of the more visable and talked about Winners ever, actually. Save your "Where's Waldo" for people like Jordin Sparks and David Cook.

[Alan Smith]

I stopped reading at “Gigli”.

[Matt]

This will be the last season of American Idol. I don't know why they are even bothering to continue it at all. With Simon leaving American Idol so he can do an almost identical show, it really spells the end for AI. People haven't watched the show to actually see the "talent" since maybe the second season. Now people just tune in to see the ridiculous auditions, "vote for the worst," and hear Simon's scathing comments. With no more scathing Simon comments, that eliminates a huge reason to watch the show. Bye bye AI!

[jacque]

no, she's never held her own. lopez never would have had a singing career without autotune, and LOADS of it (i've heard the unfixed vocals).

as for american idol, the best thing that could happen is that it goes off quickly to die...for the sake of music.

[Jimmyboy]

What a waste of $12 Million..She signs for only 1 season..maybe she knows something!! This is the end of 'Idol" for sure.

[Stella]

Per the article: If the panel is reverting back to three judges, how can it only be 'a quarter of the way' occupied?

[Jeff]

1. She has no musical talent and never 'held her own'.
2. She is no longer a pop star and has not been one for several years.

[Ann Powers]

I agree with wholeheartedly with this post. Lopez was a 21st-century style star before the actual turn of the millennium, doing many things well without favoring any one of them. (Dancing, singing, acting, being a fashionista.) As Gerrick says, she is a total package, and that's what many Idols struggle with: being a contemporary-feeling star. (Adam excepted, of course!)

I would add that Lopez may also help make the show more diverse by making it possible for Latino contestants like Jorge Nunez to get a fair shake. Going more Latin would be a very interesting turn for the show. And you know, back in the day, she did have a connection to the hip hop world. Though some didn't buy it, she is more hip hop than anybody else on that panel.

[Lily Pond]

Wow, I had no idea J-Lo had fans, or that people think Lady Gaga has a good voice. Not surprised both of those thoughts are from the same person. I just hope J-Lo is on whatever drugs Paula was on, then it'll be good.

[Erica Stephens]

I totally agree! Lastnight I watched her bio ,and I have to admit,I liked every song she ever did.Her packaging was incredible.Her look,her style her voice on the spanish album...incredible.

[Erica Stephens]

Bowersox had her chance...a real shot at ther big time,but remember,when the show invested in the makeover for the finalists...she refused! Bad teeth,bad hair,horrible style yet she wanted to stay true to the trailer park sheik and so she lost!I think she missed the point,she needed to show she could take direction from the experts in the business,she showed she could not.

[KCCaine01]

"unabashed hard-core fan of Lopez" is, by far, the dumbest and saddest thing I've ever seen a music 'critic' write. just pathetic.

[Vincent]

I saw J-Lo give one of the worst vocal performances I have every heard on SNL last season. OMG! It was horrible. I will agree some of songs in past have been catchy, but her vocal ability is pretty bad, maybe even worse than Paula. I think she is a very good actress, who does not know how to pic movies that show case her talent.

[mike]

I do think you are unfair putting Crystal Bowersox in there. The others have track records , released singles albums been on their own tours etc. She hasn't done that yet. The one you should put in that category is Lee Dewyze. Now I get it the La times just regurgitates American Idol press releases that's why the painters name is missing.
As far as Lopez .........painful.

[Jennie]

What a mistake. Jennifer Lopez is old news. American Idol could do better. American Idol will lose another viewer if they add jlo..good god!