Chris Isaak in Hunt to Replace Simon on 'Idol': Report

By AOL TV Editors Posted Jul 21st 2010 04:40PM

The race to be the next Simon Cowell on 'American Idol' is heating up, and 'Wicked Game' crooner Chris Isaak is reportedly one of the front-runners. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox is determined to replace Cowell with a well-known music industry figure, and that Isaak has met with the network twice.

Auditions for the tenth season of the smash hit show have already started with Cowell's fellow judges -- Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres and Randy Jackson -- still onboard.

Speculation's been rife as to who will replace Cowell since he announced he was leaving the show, and Fox execs are reported to have met with a number of celebrities to discuss the job.

Names previously linked with the vacant seat at judges' table include Sean Combs and Quincy Jones, former judge Paula Abdul and, as a surprise late entry, Cowell's fellow Brit Piers Morgan. Even Donald Trump threw his hat into the ring but may be too busy with his duties on 'The Apprentice' franchise for NBC.

The tenth season of 'American Idol' is due to premiere on Fox in January 2011. 'The X Factor' is slated to debut on Fox in September 2011.

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Tags: American Idol, Chris Isaak

Comments

(30)

Wednesday 21 July

By Kim

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Chris Isaak? Are you kidding? He had a hit song in like 1989!! What happened to Bret Michaels??? He would be an awesome choice! He has been in the music business for over 20 years, still is performing and very popular, very smart, knows talent when he sees it and is an all around likeable guy. He would be the better choice, BY FAR!!

By monica

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Excuse me but Chris Isaak is a fantastic singer with a lot of hits, plus he had a TV show on Showtime and another TV show recently. Don't anyone dare call him a "one hit" singer. I love his singing and have all of his CDs. Plus I got his autograph and talked to him. He's amazingly nice. Talent wise he'd be the best for American Idol, but personally I think he's WAY TOO GOOD for that show.

By Joe

Obviously You have never seen him live. He also has more hits than Wicked Game. So SHUT UP and quit talking about sh@% you have no clue about. Have a Lovely Day .... DUMB#@&

By jeanni

I agree, Kim. I think Bret would be great. He would bring in ratings which, when you get down to it, producers care about the most.

My 2nd choice would be Piers. I almost always agree with him on AGT. He may not be the most popular, but he's the most honest.

By Dana

I hope Chris has the ability to insult everyone around him.

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By Mrs Nashty

Everything you said goes double for Chris Isaak! Bret Michaels wouldn't even be in the running before his illness. I watched hime as a judge on Nashville Star and he was adequate at best. I do think Harry Connick Jr. was the best thing about the entire season of AI and he would be my top choice! Also you might want to leave out "dated" references while extolling the virtues of an 80's hair band singer.

Thursday 22 July

By Office Manager

Chris Isaak is an awesome talent and also a very funny, charming, likable guy. BTW, get your head outta your a**, he's had more than one hit song and 2 Showtime TV shows. Let all get over Bret Michaels, the pitty party is over, he's a cool guy but this isn't the gig for him.

By bernadette

What happened to Bret???? That's the only way I'm going to watch that show again!

By homerox13

Right, Kim...Bret Michaels has had so many hits lately, hang on while I list them all...

Hm, ok. Never mind! Oh, and Chris has been recording and touring with consistently excellent music for decades now. His sense of humor may be a little dry for Fox, but I'd take him as a judge over Michaels any day.

By Nico Toscani

Unless Isaak has turned into a jerk recently, he's way too nice to replace Simon. The final nail in the AI coffin.

By laureenmt

Chris Isaak would be a great choice! Not only is he an entertaining singer and songwriter, but he has also done a great job with his own talk show, keeping the conversation moving and funny. He would be great on Idol!

By Jacob

I think that Piers Morgan, Paula A and even the Hoff would have been better contenders for Simon's chair. Harry Conick, Jr., Clive Davis and even Patti Labelle could be possible replacements. But the sad fact is that with BOTH SIMON AND PAULA GONE...Idol doesn't stand a chance!!

By Coni

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I think Chris would be a great choice.. HE HAS A MUSICAL BACKGROUND!! He knows how to hold a tune and what's not good.I love Ellen, she is funny but this is a music talent show. Maybe American Idol lost sight that this is a musical talent show and they need to think about the contestants before ratings. These kids put their entire lives on hold for that one chance and they need professional musical critique. Chis may not be brutally honest like Simon...but he sure plays Wicked Games well. As far as Chris having recent hits... Chris is still making great music and filling seats at concerts and had TV show recently to claim to fame. So I feel he could be a great judge, musically, stage savvy, and charisma that sells records.

By jg

Well Coni,
Really it's a Music & Entertainment Show, with the accent on entertainment. Ellen Degeneres has been a talented and successful entertainer for many many years, knows about rhythm, timing, presentation, content...one of the better judges over the years.

To Monica and Homerox13....sorry, but I'm not a huge Chris Isaak fan, I really don't know any of his hits, music or his personality, nor would I really even recognize him if I fell over him. Doesn't mean he has no talent, I'm just not a huge fan. However, on the other hand, you are obviously not that familiar with Bret Michaels either. He had numerous hits with his band Poison, not only in the 80's but is still touring with them to sold out venues. Not to mention his popularity lately with winning the Celebrity Apprentice and all that he has endured. He is very smart and can recognize talent, my opinion...he would be a great addition to the American Idol judges. Again MY OPINION!

No, I'm familiar with Mr. Michaels and his band. I just honestly can't name any of their hits past "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" (I'm gonna leave "Unskinny Bop" out of the equation!). I know he's been busy, but seemingly mostly with TV projects, like "Apprentice" and (heaven help us) "Rock Of Love" which have given his musical endeavors a shot in the arm. I'll be honest and say that neither Isaak nor Michaels are burning up the pop charts currently. Like you with Isaak, I might recognize Michaels, but have no interest in his music.

That said, Michaels IS a talented self-promoter. He works hard at it and could certainly offer advice on how to gain recognition for a struggling artist.

By mANDINGO

Kim here is just not getting it...

By Vicky

Chris Isaak????? WTF is Chris Isaak? Are you people delirious?

Whatever dude.....we are all entitled to our opinions.

By amazon1967

Is it just me or does that Wicked Game Video still make ya wanna rip off your mans clothes and drag him to the nearest beach?

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