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TELEVISION “A


merican Idol” host Ryan Seacrest finally unveiled the show’s new judges—


aged rocker squirt Steven Tyler, and pop star/former Fox “In Living Color” Fly Girl dancer Jennifer Lopez — to a crowd of “Idol” auditioners (and reporters) Wednesday morning in Los Angeles. This came as a surprise to no one, given that their names had been the only ones left on the shortlist for weeks and weeks, as it shortened and shortened. A f ’realsers surprise was someone else you’re going to see often on the show when it enters its 10th season in January. This new arrival is hellbent on knocking the cobwebs out of this semi-stale franchise — and he is someone Seabiscuit did not trot out during Wednesday’s Judge Unveiling Lollapalooza at the Forum. That person is Interscope


Geffen A&M Records Chairman Jimmy Iovine, who has been named the show’s permanent in- house mentor. As part of “Idol’s” deal with


Universal Music Group, Interscope Geffen A&M will market, promote and distribute albums globally, when Idolette finalists and winners prove worthy of a broad array of retail and new media platforms. It was Iovine who seemed very much in charge during a post-unveiling Q&A session, when the Idol-makers revealed that guest mentors are out, themed weeks are out and the show will become much more serious. Expect a laser focus on Iovine as he works closely with each aspiring singer to mold them into a marketable, moneymaking commodity. So country singers, for instance, will no longer be asked to croak through rock tunes and will instead hippy-hippy-shake each week to show off their God- given talent. “It’s important to develop


what they are good at,” said “Idol’s” returning-from-exile executive producer Nigel Lythgoe.


“I think you’re going to see a remarkable difference from week to week — it’s going to be an entire new construct of bringing up artists,” Iovine said. When one reporter said, “It sounds like you’re going in a bit more serious direction,” Lythgoe responded: “I think it’s fair to say


MICHAEL BECKER/FOX SELL IT TO THE NEW JUDGES:Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez join Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest and Jimmy Iovine on “Idol.”


THE TV COLUMN Lisa de Moraes


that, in moving to Interscope, we looked back at the history [of the show]” and tried to pinpoint which “Idol” winners had actually been successful as money generators for the record label. He named first-season winner Kelly Clarkson and fourth-season winner Carrie Underwood, and then said: “And then you start running out of Idols” — which is maybe the most scathing analysis of the show ever.


When another reporter wanted the panel to speculate how the show was going to do in the ratings without judge Simon Cowell, Lythgoe snapped, “You obviously haven’t met Jimmy Iovine” before going into “you can’t replace Simon” autopilot. Iovine is one of the most influential execs in the music industry, reports The Post’s pop music critic Chris Richards, who says Iovine is most famous for co-founding Interscope Records


in 1990. The label struck it rich with rappers Dr. Dre and Tupac Shakur, and later branched into the alt-rock world, signing Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and No Doubt. Tyler and J-Lo, who thought


they were going to have their moment in the sun, seemed somewhat dazed at the turn the news conference took — especially Tyler, who periodically looked as though he had unhitched his brain to let it rest a spell.


But they did take the occasional question. Like when some reporter asked the Aerosmith frontman how his bandmates had reacted to the news. This question in particular seemed to really set him off. “At first, they were jealous,” he


said. “They heard it through the press and not from me.” Nice.


“But four months ago they were looking for another lead singer,” he noted. “I spent a stint in Betty Ford.


They have been judging me every day, and sometimes it hurt,


but most times I came out through the wormhole a stronger person,” Tyler continued, looking more and more like a tiny volcano getting ready to spread molten lava over the countryside while hundreds flee. “It’s a real journey with those guys. And they would say the same about me. I’m sure they are real happy for me,” he said in conclusion. And J-Lo put on her brightest smile when someone asked about details of her alleged $12million deal, and wondered if, as reported, it included other projects with Fox beside judging “Idol.” “We’re going to be developing


film, television and all kinds of stuff,” she confirmed. “We spent a lot of time wondering who would be the Simon Cowell replacement. . . . We ultimately said we shouldn’t do that," Fox Entertainment Chairman Peter Rice told the TV Column after the announcement. “When the show launched it was all about the


search for the next superstar . . . [We decided], ‘Let’s bring it back to the music and the kids, and see if we can find superstars again.’ ” Before unveiling the new


judges, Seabiscuit had trotted out Lone Surviving Judge Randy Jackson, who, we now know, thanks to the print on the super- large screen that was behind him, is: The Veteran In Music And Opinion Anchor of the Panel and Master Communicator. “What’s the deal? What’s up?


What’s up? What’s up?” Jackson asked rhetorically. “Big question: How do you feel about the new” team of judges, Seabiscuit said, asking Randy the tough question. “Dude, I’m so excited about — you know, when this started I had no idea . . . I’m calling this season ‘The Remix,’ baby! You know what? I believe this is going to find the greatest ‘American Idol’ ever! Yes! Yes! Yes!”


Where’d everyone go? On Tuesday night in


KLMNO


TV NEWS ONLINE From TV’s top shows to industry buzz, get the latest television news in the TV Column blog at washingtonpost.com/tvcolumn.


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2010


INTERACTIVE TV LISTINGS Keep track of your favorite television shows and movies with our interactive TV listings at washingtonpost.com/tv.


They came to see J-Lo and Steven Tyler, but they found the new ‘American Idol’ mentor


Washington, virtually every guy between the ages of 18 and 34 who was watching ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” and new Michael Imperioli cop drama “Detroit 1-8-7” suddenly vanished into thin air.


At nearly the same time, all of the chicks between the age of 18 and 34 watching “Detroit 187” in Washington also disappeared. It’s like an episode of


“FlashForward.” Only a really good one. Except the mystery lies in the computers tabulating Nielsen numbers. The tallies show nada, zilch and null set, where there should be thousands of viewers. What fate befell all those promising young men and women who were watching our ABC affiliate, WJLA, on Tuesday night?


ABC sure as heck wants to


know, and is sparing no expense looking into Nielsen’s report for the night. That’s because those “hash marks” — the dreaded Nielsen symbol for “no reported viewing” — are showing up in the age brackets that are the most coveted by advertisers in primetime. “It doesn’t make sense to suddenly have ‘hash marks,’ ” the network statement intoned. “The ratings for the local late night news and for Kimmel appear to be impacted as well. WJLA would like Nielsen to investigate, resolve and re-issue the numbers as soon as possible.” “For the number of male


viewers 18 to 34 on a new cop show to be zero is impossible,” WJLA general manager Bill Lord told the TV Column, “especially given the fact that we are the number-nine TV market and [“Detroit 1-8-7”] did a 3 rating in the demographic in other markets.” Translation: Nielsen’s got some ’splainin’ to do. Charles Kennedy, senior vice president of research for ABC-TV, says he’s been in the biz for more than two decades and this is a head-scratcher of epic proportions because he’s seeing no consistent flaw but “sporadic holes” in the ratings, extending into Kimmel’s late-night show. And, having seen the disturbing trend on Tuesday night in our market, he went back and looked at the numbers from Monday and “I’m looking at a very odd number for [Monday’s] ‘Castle.’ ” demoraesl@washpost.com


HIGHLIGHTS Tired of fall TV yet? Too bad! A


few new shows premiere tonight, along with a slew of returning ones:


NEW SHOWS » “My Generation” (ABC at 8): A


documentary decides to track a group of late 20-somethings, 10 years after they graduate from high school in Austin. Hank Stuever previews the show on Page C2. » “$#*! My Dad Says” (CBS at


8:30): In the first TV series based on a Twitter feed, the cranky dad from the popular Twitter account is played by William Shatner, who delivers all kinds of diatribes when his son is forced to move back home after losing his job. » “Outsourced” (NBC at 9:30):


The new comedy joining NBC’s Thursday night follows an American guy sent to India to help the workers at a call center help “get” American humor. RETURNING SHOWS » “Community” (NBC at 8):


Your show is in danger of low ratings. Whom do you call? Betty White, of course! The ubiquitous funny lady stops by the sophomore season opener as an eccentric professor. » “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS at


8): The comedy moves to a new, very competitive night for Season 4, as Sheldon goes on his very first date with Amy (guest star Mayim Bialik). » “30 Rock” (NBC at 8:30): Jack meddles in Liz’s love life once again to kick off Season 5, and is determined to help her relationship with Carol. But seeing as “Carol” (guest star Matt Damon) has a movie career to get back to, we don’t see it going well. » “Bones” (Fox at 8): In the Season 6 opener, the team reunites to help Cam during a difficult case involving an unidentified young boy, and in the process, question whether they belong in Washington. » “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC at 9):


After the grisliest finale ever, the hospital drama comes back for Season 7 in the deadly aftermath after a gunman stormed the hospital.


HARPER SMITH/NBC


‘OUTSOURCED’: Ben Rappaport plays an American in a call center in India.


» “Fringe” (Fox at 9):With Olivia trapped in another universe, a clueless Walter and Peter go about their daily lives while working with the “alternate” Olivia in the Season 3 premiere. » “The Office” (NBC at 9):


Michael Scott (Steve Carell) begins his seventh and final season on the show the same way he spends every episode — making everyone angry when he makes a terrible decision. This time, it’s hiring a new, obnoxious office assistant. » “CSI: Crime Scene


Investigation” (CBS at 9): The long-running procedural heads into Season 11 as Langston fights to stay alive after being stabbed. » “Private Practice” (ABC at


10): Pete and Violet stress out about their wedding on the Season 4 premiere; meanwhile, everyone mourns the loss of Dell. » “The Mentalist” (CBS at 10):


Red John continues to haunt Patrick Jane, who seriously reconsiders his future with the CBI team in the beginning of the third season. Actor James Franco is a guest


on “Late Show With David Letterman” (CBS at 11:35), along with actress Sofia Vergara and musical guest Shakira. Actor Jimmy Smits and


“America’s Got Talent’s” Jackie Evancho stop by “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” (NBC at 11:35), along with singer Brian Wilson.


— Emily Yahr A&E


ABC Family AMC


Animal Planet BET


Bravo CNN  T e First 48  T e First 48


 Movie: Billy Madison  (1995)  Ferris Bueller’s Day Off  Yellowstone Bison 106 & Park: Top 10


 Top Chef: Just Desserts


BROADCAST CHANNELS 9/23/10


4.1 WRC (NBC) 5.1 WTTG (Fox) 7.1 WJLA (ABC)


7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30  News


 Access


 Seinfeld  Wheel


9.1 WUSA (CBS) News 14.1 WFDC (UNI) 


 Community 


 T e Offi ce Bones  Jeopardy!  Ent. Ton.


Llena de Amor


26.4 WETA (PBS)  PBS NewsHour 30.1 WNVC (MHz) Al Jazeera Journal 32.2 WHUT (PBS) Tavis Smiley Passport 50.1 WDCW (CW)  Two-Men


66.1 WPXW (ION) Without a Trace


 My Generation  Big Bang 


30 Rock


9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30  T e Offi ce   Fringe


Outsourced T e Apprentice News


Dad Says   Hasta que el Dinero


20.1 WDCA (MNTV)  Meet, Browns  House-Payne  Movie: Rocky  (1976) 22.1 WMPT (PBS) Business


France News News History Detectives


 Two-Men


 T e Vampire Diaries Criminal Minds


 Grey’s Anatomy CSI: Crime Scene  Soy Tu Dueña


Money T e Attenborough Collection Antiques Roadshow Sherlock Holmes


 Nikita Criminal Minds


CABLE CHANNELS  T e First 48


 Movie: Airplane!  (1980)  T e Natural World Movie: Bait (2002)  Housewives of D.C.


Cartoon Network Total Drama Johnny Test Total Drama   John King, USA


 Rick’s List Colbert Rep  Tosh.0  Tosh.0


Discovery Disney E!


ESPN ESPN2


Food Network Fox News FX


Hallmark HBO


HGTV


History Lifetime MASN


MSNBC MTV


Nickelodeon Spike Style Syfy


TBDTV TBS TCM TLC TNT


Travel TruTV


TV Land TV One


USA Network VH1


WGN  Nature’s Deadliest Flapjack


 Private Practice  T e Mentalist


La Rosa de Guadalupe (9:43) Masterpiece Mystery!


T e Grand Chef Volume 1 (10:10) Freeze POV


Passport


News News News News


Noticias Wild T ings


 Jay Leno  TMZ


 Nightline  Letterman  Noticiero


 T e Offi ce Name Is Earl Raymond Raymond Wild Lives


(11:15) Charlie Rose Asia News Travelscope Charlie Rose


 Entourage Enthusiasm Family Guy Family Guy Criminal Minds


Criminal Minds  T e First 48  Movie: Billy Madison  (1995)  River Monsters: Unhooked  Trapper-Amazon  Housewives of D.C.


Comcast SportsNet  English Premier League Soccer: Blackpool vs. Chelsea Countdown to UFC Comedy Central  Daily Show   MythBusters  Phineas, Ferb  E! News  Sport


 Futurama  Pig Bomb


Daily 10


Phineas, Ferb Movie: Camp Rock 2: T e Final Jam (2010)  20 Most Shocking Unsolved Crimes


 College Football: Miami at Pittsburgh


High School Football: South Lake (Fla.) at Apopka (Fla.)  Food Network Challenge Extreme Sweets  FOX Report (6:00) 


 T e O’Reilly Factor


America’s Best  Hannity


Movie: Made of Honor Two-Men Two-Men Two-Men Two-Men My First Sale  Property  Property


T e Game T e Game  Watch


Redskins


 T e First 48  T e 700 Club


 Movie: Airplane II: T e Sequel  (1982)


 T e Natural World  T e Mo’Nique Show


 Housewives of D.C.


 Anderson Cooper 360 Sports


 Futurama  Untamed and Uncut  E! Curse of the Lottery 2  Baseball Tonight  League Sports  Futurama  Futurama  Happens


 Advent. Time Regular Show King of Hill King of Hill Family Guy Family Guy  Larry King Live


 Daily Show 


Post Live Colbert


 Nature’s Deadliest


Sonny-Chance Sonny-Chance Good-Charlie Good-Charlie Chelsea


E! News  SportsCenter


 Ace-Cakes Ace of Cakes   Greta Van Susteren  Sunny


Who’s Boss? Who’s Boss? Little House on the Prairie Movie: Relative Stranger (2009) (6:30) Movie: T e Uninvited REAL Sports Bryant Gumbel Movie: Couples Retreat  (2009)  Hunters Int’l  House Hunt.  First Place   T e Universe


 T at’s Impossible  Prjct Runway   MLB Baseball 


Nat’l Geographic  Repossessed!  iCarly


 Gangland Project Runway  Hardball Chris Matthews


Silent Library Silent Library T e Real World  Break It Down My Wife-Kids   Gangland


SpongeBob 


How Do I Look?  Beast Legends News


 Seinfeld Too Fat for 15


 Destination Truth News


 Rachel Maddow Show  Jersey Shore


My Wife-Kids 


 How Nero Saved Rome Hates Chris   TNA Wrestling Mel B:


Mel B:  Destination Truth A.Campbell Sports Talk  Amer. Dad  Movie: Rush Hour 3  (2007)


He’s a Cockeyed Wonder Movie: Ben-Hur  (1959)  LA Ink Bones


 American Chopper  Law & Order


 Bourdain: No Reservations  Cops


Cops Sanford Sanford


Lincoln Heights  NCIS


 Don’t Forget 


 American Chopper Bones


Bourdain: No Reservations  Bizarre Foods/Zimmern


World’s Dumbest . . . World’s Dumbest . . . Sanford Martin


Diff Wrld  Law & Order: SVU Dharma-Greg Dharma-Greg 


Don’t Forget Best of I Love T e... WWE Superstars


 Law & Order: SVU Best of I Love T e...


Enthusiasm Entourage  House Hunt  House Hunt   Road


 2010 World Series of Poker Good Eats


 Unwrapped


 T e O’Reilly Factor  Sunny


 T e League


Golden Girls Golden Girls Cathouse Real Sex Xtra Hunters Int’l 


 Stan Lee’s Superhumans  Stan Lee’s Superhumans Modern Marvels  Project Runway


 On the Road 


Nats Xtra ESPNEWS Pro Ftbl Plus Pro View Ruffi n McNeill Cutcliff e ESPNEWS ESPNEWS   Countdown


Countdown With Olbermann  Jersey Shore  Naked Science


Hates Chris Lopez Clean House  ABC News News  Break It Down


Lopez T e Nanny T e Nanny  TNA ReACTION How Do I Look?


 Beast Legends News Family Guy Family Guy  BBQ Pitmasters


 WCG Ultimate Gamer News


 Lopez Tonight  American Chopper


 Movie: Cradle 2 the Grave  (2003)  Bizarre Foods/Zimmern Top 20 Most Shocking


Living Single All of Us Tracy Morgan Martin


 Law & Order: SVU  Real and Chance  News


 Bizarre Foods/Zimmern Forensic


Forensic


Sanford Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Roseanne Roseanne Martin


Martin


 Undercovers I Love Money


 How I Met How I Met LEGEND: Bold indicates new or live programs  High Definition Movie Ratings (from TMS)  Excellent  Good  Fair  Poor No stars: not rated Sports Talk House Hunt.


On the Road MLB Baseball


T e Rachel Maddow Show Jersey Shore


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