Jan 25 2011 12:07 PM ET

Elton John's advice for 'American Idol': 'Let's change the format a little'

Filed under: Let's Argue!, TV and tagged: , ,

elton-johnImage Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage.comHe famously turned down a chance to join the luxuriously coiffed panel—”I was asked to judge American Idol,” he told the Daily Mail last fall. “I couldn’t do it because I won’t slag anyone off”—but Elton John does have a few ideas for improving the show, now in its tenth season.

MTV spoke to the music legend about the upcoming American version of X Factor, a.k.a. the project that lured Simon Cowell and his fitted tees away from Idol, and he had this to say:

X Factor is going to be a huge show. It’s going to be huge, because you can have bands on there, and that’s one thing I wanted to change, if I had been on American Idol, ” John told the channel. “Get away from the solo stuff. Let’s have bands, let’s have writers, let’s have songwriters, let’s change the format a little, and that’s why X Factor is going to do so well, because it’s a different lineup. You can have bands and groups. That’s more interesting, I think.”

Do you agree, Idol-izers? Tell us what you think, in the comments below.

(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)

More from EW.com:
‘American Idol’ recap: The Big Easy Listening
Jennifer Hudson releases new single, ‘Where You At.’ I’m ‘at’ a point where I don’t like song titles that end with prepositions.

Comments (15 total) Add your comment
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  • Jay

    I’m just so tired of the whole “phone in and vote for your favorite _________” format. I dont think X-factor is any better

  • Em

    I think I need to know where Sir Elton got those fabulous sunglasses!

  • Abe Froman

    What does that mean “won’t slag anyone off”??

    • KG

      Well, it means he won’t be nasty to them, i.e. he won’t do the Simon thing. He could be the Paula seat, but that’s not what they’d want him for. To be honest, I thought the idea of Elton on AI was brilliant, as he has a very good perspective on music and he DOES have “ears”.

      I would have watched if Sir Elton had signed on. I have no interest in what Steven Tyler or JLo have to say–neither has much perspective or gravitas.

  • Marcy

    Well, it’s hard to take any comment seriously from a 60+ guy wearing sunglasses he ripped off from his 5 year old niece.

    • amy

      he’d have to have sibblings to have a niece.

  • Nick

    Biggest problem with Idol: the voting. They need to fix it. Limit the number of times someone can vote.

  • will

    I don’t care about AI but I needed to say that Elton John needs to keep his mouth shut. He always has voice his opinion about something? Who cares? Go raise your new kid in peace and quite.

    • @ will

      Since you have grammatical and spelling errors, who cares what YOU have to say?

    • Allison

      It would also help if you read the article – Elton was asked for his opinion.

  • Kath

    Here’s a novel idea: Let’s have good singers and interesting material.

  • Kate

    i think it is a wonderful idea, but I think other fans will be disappointed because they are used to only solo acts especially the long time watchers.

  • yournightmare

    Sir Elton speaks the truth. Enough of those shallow singers. We need more substance.

  • Jeff

    Elton panned the UK version of X-factor a few months ago. A couple if weeks later the did Elton week. Now he says he likes their format….hmmmm

  • min

    they need to change the damn voting system that’s what and american idol has long been associated for an ‘idol’ which means solo act

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