‘Of course!’ Original American Idol judge Randy Jackson says he’s ready to return to the talent show if it’s ever rebooted
Its 15th and final season wrapped on April 4, 2016 amid a tearful reunion for past judges and winners.
Now original American Idol judge Randy Jackson has confirmed that he would be happy to return to the talent show if a new version gets off the ground.
‘Of course,’ the 60-year-old said in answer to questions from a TMZ reporter about the future of the show, as he arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday.
‘I’ll be back’: Randy Jackson, pictured at an event in Los Angeles last month, said ‘of course’ he would return if American Idol was rebooted as he jetted out of the city on Saturday
Idol will not be back in 2018 despite a bidding war between Fox and NBC for the rights to a reboot after networks put in bids to FremantleMedia, which owns the show.
NBC wanted the show to solve a problem with its own The Voice, which it fears is getting over exposed in its twice yearly cycle.
So it would cut it back to once a year, with American Idol also playing once a year, according to TMZ.
With his crew: The 60-year-old was on the first judges panel along with Paula Abdul, 54, and Simon Cowell, 57, when the talent show bowed on Fox in 2002
Despite cancelling it amid falling ratings, Fox is still interested in the pricey property but reportedly would have brought in a new panel of talent on lower salaries.
The matter doesn’t seem to have been resolved in time for the 2018 season.
But Randy seems to be holding out for 2019.
Feeling the love: Randy hugged it out with Paula in the first season as Simon quickly built his reputation of being the ‘nasty Brit’ judge
He was on the first judges panel with Paula Abdul, 54, and Simon Cowell, 57, when the show bowed in 2002 and stayed with it in various roles until November 2014.
Randy was one of the emotional celebrities who helped the show celebrate its finale, which included a surprise appearance from Simon who fooled everyone into thinking he was in London.
Host Ryan Seacrest, 42, is the only on-air personality to appear on all 15 seasons of the show.
Emotional reunion: The trio appeared on Idol’s finale on April 7 with host Ryan Seacrest, 42, the only on-air personality to appear on all 15 seasons of the show