Despite other names surfacing over the past week, I’ve learned that Dr. Luke is closing a deal to join Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez as the third judge on the upcoming 13th season of Fox’s American Idol. Additionally, original Idol judge Randy Jackson continues negotiations to replace Jimmy Iovine as in-house mentor.
Related: Dr. Luke In Negotiations For ‘American Idol’ Judge Gig
When Dr. Luke’s name first surfaced as a leading contender for a judge gig on Idol, the news prompted headlines like “Dr. Who?” But while the general public may not be familiar with Dr. Luke, they are very familiar with a lot of his work.
Related: Jennifer Lopez’s ‘American Idol’ Return Is On, Says Boyfriend In Apparent Slip
Dr. Luke (real name Lukasz Gottwald) is one of the hottest producer-songwriters. He has more than 20 songs that have debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, and his biggest hits include Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone”, Flo Rida’s “Right Round”, Kei$ha’s “Tik Tok”, Katy Perry’s “California Gurls”, “I Kissed A Girl”, “Teenage Dream”, “Hot n Cold” and Part Of Me”, Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite”, Avril Lavigne’s “Girlfriend” and Britney Spears’ “Circus”. Dr. Luke actually is a familiar face to some TV buffs as he started off as lead guitarist on Saturday Night Live‘s house band.
And with Dr. Luke’s hire Idol is going back to its roots, betting on a unknown to the public top music producer as a judge — just as it did with Simon Cowell in 2002.
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Yeah that’s an inspiring choice that’ll bring back viewers. They must’ve been turned down by a lot of people
I’ve been in the TV/Film business 25 years. Even if he’s a music Producer, I’ve never heard of him.
And you want him to front your show??? You’re better off with Dr. Laura.
I am with you. Who the hell is this person? And why the hell should I watch because of him?
When I first saw the link, I thought it said “UNCLE” Luke instead of Dr. Luke. I think that would have been an even more interesting choice than this guy.
Are you an uninspired 24 year old secretary who can’t wait for dinner with “friends” and the latest Twilight crap?
Just wondering bro.
This is Kara 2.0! Simon was a record executive not a producer/songwriter. Horrible panel. Much prefer X Factor!
I disagree Rk, I think the public has learned that famous performers do not necessarily make great judges. Its two different skill sets. The most interesting ones have often been the ones like Simon, whose pre-reality show careers depended on being able to evaluate artists and get good performances from them.
The part I agree with is it won’t get people to tune in on its own. It may keep the ones who do tune in more interested though.
Dr. Luke is a legend behind the scenes. But he’ll mean nothing to the general public. Fox better start their pr awareness campaign tomorrow or else there will have crickets for viewers come premiere night.
Duke Ellington is a legend. RIchard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein are legends. Edith Piaf is a legend. Quincy Jones is a legend.
Dr. Luke is not a legend.
Amen.
Barely a guitar player, and cannot do anything on his own…
Idol producers aren’t stupid. Dr Luke wrote and produced the only CD to match Michael Jackson’s record of #1 singles off of one album (Perry’s “Teenage Dream” CD). Getting him gets access to his frequent collaborator Max Martin. And Martin seemingly has access to a time machine because he’s responsible for so many hits since Britney’s “Baby One More Time” that it’s the only explanation for his talent at writing songs. They will both be able to give the winner a REAL 1st single that doesn’t sound dated.
I can’t see a Candice Glover or Phillipx2 singing a Dr. Luke – Max Martin production lol o.O
Besides this is about good TV, Dr. Luke is not captivating in interviews. Scooter Braun would have been a much better choice.
Lol The difference between Simon Cowell & Dr. Luke is Simon was witty & sarcastic, Dr. Luke is a shy bore in interviews. So they will have soft spoken Keith & boring Dr. Luke with JLo stealing all the attention as usual. Blah
If the ratings are down again this season, it’s going to be very hard for Peter to hide.
No Nikki? No Jen Lopez?
KEEP YOUR RANDY “the dog” Jackson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep your Miraha Carey….and American Idol is NO GOOD!!!!!!! Dr. Luke? hahahaha
WILL WATCH IT WITH KEITH URBAN ANY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This show is finished! This will definitely be the last season of this shitfest and the quicker this thing is gone, the better it’ll be on all fronts. They seriously think these moves are going to bring back the viewers? Try the direct opposite!
Don’t be silly. It’s still a hit, hugely profitable for Fox and cheap to make (especially since Fox can cut costs by axing expensive talent if necessary). It’ll run for at least another half-decade, likely far longer.
Dr Luke? You mean he who makes digitized sounds by pressing a button on a computer, to which are added AutoTuned vocals? Puh-lease.
You may not like pop music, but that is a gross under-appreciation of what a good producer can do. If it were really that easy, I’d be a pop superstar. Dr. Luke made Ke$ha’s music sound good enough that she’s had several top 5 hits. That’s a genuine talent.
Comparison to Simon Cowell is a little weird. Cowell had already been serving as a judge on Pop Idol when American Idol launched. I believe this would be Dr. Luke’s first time in this sort of role.
dr luke is a super mega producer, but wont help the continuing decline of ratings for ai.
This line-up is stronger than people credit. Rather than stunt-casting, AI is returning its two most-liked judges from the previous couple of seasons and bringing in someone who actually has the know-how to find a superstar. No, AI probably won’t beat The Voice with this line-up – but I do think it has a greater chance of finding the next superstar.
Dr. Luke will be amazing. America hasn’t met him yet, but before season one we hadn’t met Simon Cowell either. Just wait and see, he’ll be a great judge.
it’s not 2002 though
I’m a huge Dr. Luke fan and think he’d probably actually make a good judge but… yeah, no way this brings in viewers.
To say the “general public” won’t know who Dr. Luke is, that’s lame. Who knew who Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson were when the show started? NO ONE. Doesn’t mean anything. The reason the show is on a downturn has NOTHING to do with the judges and EVERYTHING to do with a tired format and a drained talent pool.
Does anyone know what kind of doctor he is ?
Unlicensed vet.
The best season was the one with Scotty mccreary. Idol has run its course. Kill it already.
Scotty McCreary? Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. You are so funny.
Or it could be that American Idol has always sucked, and people are just now getting around to figuring that out…
Dr. Luke (along with Max Martin) is one of THE 2 go-to guys if you want a giant smash on the radio, period. With that said, brining in big names was never what made the judging panel work, and having “cred” was never what made the panel work, it’s CHEMISTRY between the judges. I know NOTHING about Dr. Luke’s personality, but he is If he’s got a personality that meshes genuinely well with Jennifer and Keith, this COULD be a good choice.
Since when are people watching American Idol for the judges?
they judges are irrelevant. We have three bodies for color commentary and that should suffice. It’s about the public finding a new star on their own and not by music PR firms who make untalented people famous