Dolly Parton is our choice as a judge for American Idol - Photo by Tech. Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby, USAF   Harry Connick Jr. is our choice as a judge for American Idol - Tulane Public Relations from the United States Photo

Video Beat Part 1 - THE REPLACEMENTS 4 LARRY KING & AMERICAN IDOL

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

For the past two seasons American Idol has made numerous personnel changes with the result being they have been getting it wrong and their ratings have declined. This season they are in a situation of having to find replacements for judges Simon Cowell and Ellen Degeneres who have resigned from the show. Why is American Idol so dysfunctional all of a sudden? - IT'S ON!!! NEW SEASONS for AMAZING RACE ASIA # 4 and AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL Cycle 14 - Recommended TV Listings

Wednesday September 1, 2010

IDOL IS GOING THRU THEM CHANGES

This season there will be a major transition for US television as replacements for Larry King and two replacement judges for American Idol are underway. The problem is to the powers that be can they get it right in choosing the right substitutes.

American Idol got it wrong last season replacing Paula Abdul with comedian Ellen Degeneres. We questioned that decision and felt it was the wrong choice given Degeneres lacks a background in music. A talent in her own right she was the wrong fit in Cinderella's shoe. As a result Degeneres resigned from the show while admitting that it wasn't the right platform for her talents.

Simon Cowell is another man on the run. A replacement for him will be difficult but in this case the magnificent one who from his behavior largely felt that the show was about him will be a difficult challenge. Cowell's acrid comments won't be the criterion in which American Idol bosses will be looking for in a replacement though he amused many of the viewers with his condescending remarks.

After nine seasons Idol has re-hauled the program during the past two years. The first major change was replacing the shows directors. The second was going from three to four judges with the hiring of Kara DioGuardi.

The third was replacing Abdul with Degeneres which now proves to be a bad decision. The fourth is the departure of band leader Ricky Minor who replaced Kevin Ewbanks on the Jay Leno Tonight Show. The only remaining members of the original cast are host Ryan Seacrest and judge Randy Jackson. These departures raise the questions what's up with that? Why is American Idol so dysfunctional all of a sudden?

Snoop Dog said on the Larry King show that he would like to be a judge on the program. That would be an interesting development given that the Snoop likes to put some chiz-zum in everybody's jiz-zum whatever that means.

Harry Connick Jr. was on the May 4, 2010 episode of American Idol where he acted as a mentor for the top 5 finalists. He appeared again on the May 5 episode of the talent show where he performed "And I Love Her" said on the Larry King show that he was approached by Idol powers for the job. Connick is a good choice given his record sell history of selling over 25 million albums as well as his musician and acting credentials.

For Degneres the best replacement would be Abdul who says silly things but her personality and chemistry works with Jackson and Seacrest. The problem is would she return if asked? Is she bitter about the way Idol dismissed and embarrassed her?

Our choice is Dolly Parton who is charming, intelligent, and humorous and a major singing star who has also written many hit songs. Parton was a mentor on the show in season eight. She knows music and performing as had a motherly type image which would be an asset for the show. Parton plays the autoharp, banjo, drums, dulcimer, fiddle, guitar, harmonica, pennywhistle and piano. She began composing songs at the age of four, her mother often writing down the music as she heard Parton singing around the house. Parton often describes her talent as having "the gift of rhyme".

On one of Idol's weekly themes programs on April 1-2, 2008, they featured "Dolly Parton Songs" with the nine then-remaining contestants each singing a Parton composition. Parton participated as a "guest mentor" to the contestants and also performed "Jesus and Gravity" receiving a standing ovation from the studio audience.

Parton is a business woman who may have too heavy a schedule with her business and entertainment careers. The good news is Parton is getting up in years will turn 65 in January 19, 2011 and may want to slow down and be based in Hollyweird during the shows production.

Both Parton and Connick cover all areas of experience being recording artist, songwriters, musicians and performing entertainers. They have it all.

American Idol's ratings have declined since they started tampering with their program changes. Can they get it right for a change or will Idol's sinking ship go under? Stay tuned...

Part 2 - LARRY KING'S REPLACEMENT

They're back.... that being Amazing Race Asia for their fourth season and America's Next Top Model. Top Model Cycle 14 will air its initial telecast tonight Wednesday September 1 at 7:00 PM Thailand/Cambodia time and 8:00 PM Hong Kong/Singapore. Amazing Race Asia # 4 will commence Thursday night September 2 at 8:00 PM Thailand/Cambodia and 9:00 PM Hong Kong/Singapore.

LOCKED UP ABROAD

Locked Up Abroad seems to be an interesting subject with our readers as it took the top two spots in our current NR TOP 10 ratings. After two weeks of airing nightly previous telecasts it disappeared but IT'S ON AGAIN!!!

The program airs on the National Geographic Channel Saturday at 10 PM and 11:00 pm in the Hong Kong/ Singapore time zone as well as Tuesday at 2:00 PM in the Thailand/Cambodia time and 3:00 PM in the Hong Kong/ Singapore time.

Programs are available ON DEMAND on the National Geographic web site.

National Radio text is published in five languages, English, Thai, French, Russian and Khmer (Cambodian language). Any of our foreign language material and our Roman Wanderaugh columns is legally available ONLY on our National Radio site. Our sports, entertainment and feature programming has been broadcast on over 1000 radio stations.

TV SCHEDULE

Note: The shows listed are for the Cambodia/Thailand time zone. Check our chart or your local listings for time in your area.

NOTE TIMES OF THE SAME TELECAST IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

5:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - SEASONS 8 & 9 - Star World

8:00 PM - TRUE BLOOD - HBO

9:00 PM - FRONT LINE - Australia Network

9:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - SEASONS 8 & 9 - Star World

2:00 AM - AMERICAN GREED - CNBC

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