by Danny Gokey, of the Idol-News Network


Tuesday January 12, 2010, 2:52 PM


COLLEGEVILLE, PA—After much deliberation and negotiation with AI officials and FOX affiliates, local media sources are reporting that as of earlier this afternoon, Eddie Idol is returning! There were fears that the country’s premiere critic and blogger of TV’s most successful show would not return for the new Season, Season 9, which has a 2-hour premiere on FOX tonight at 8-10PM EST. This would have been a crippling blow to the show, already losing Paula Abdul last summer and the devastating announcement by Simon Cowell yesterday that this would be his final season on AI.



Reached at his home earlier today, Eddie had this to say, “I’m just glad to get all this over with and behind me, it’s been mentally draining and the negotiations were just brutal.” He further added that “after Simon’s surprising announcement yesterday, and confiding in some close friends, I knew the show couldn’t take any more bad news….so I decided to return. Now I can get down to concentrating on the show and sharing my thoughts on the many contestants, and blogging to the millions of readers and dedicated fans. Their support was overwhelming through all this.”



Fans, friends and family close to the situation were just as relieved that Eddie Idol is back.

Kim Toth, Blogger Queen from the Pottstown Mercury, was ecstatic, “I was e-mailing with Eddie the last few nights, and told him he had my full support. No one knows the show like Eddie!”

Cousin Greg Greis, a huge follower over the years, said “he’s the BEST, and he knows talent like he knows his wines. I call him after every show to get his thoughts, and they are always right on. The show scored a BIG media win by having him come back.”

Ed’s brother Ron added, “This is a huge announcement and I’m happy for him. He loves the show, and in my opinion, should be first in line to be considered as Simon’s replacement on the judges panel in 2011 for Season 10.”

Long time friend and colleague Ray Young stated “Ed has a knack for really recognizing who the best talent is right from the auditions. A few years ago he picked Katherine McPhee out of the auditions and proclaimed her his winner in Season 5. Of course we all know that Taylor Hicks beat her in the final, so that’s a sour pill for Ed, but still….the guy knows how to pick a winner.”

Long time girlfriend Kathleen Thomer said, “He has passion for the show like no one I know. He’s a little ‘edgy’ with his words and can be even more critical than Simon at times, but that’s Eddie, he never holds back.”

Publisher Tom Abbott of the Pottstown Mercury completed the accolades by saying, “this is BIG news for all Idol fans and especially for our paper. The Blog that Ed writes will get millions of hits from all over the world, so we re very happy he decided to come back for another Season. It puts the Mercury in the national and worldwide media spotlight.”



So, the fun on FOX all starts tonight, so be sure to tune in with Eddie Idol and millions of others around the world for an exciting Season 9 that is sure to be full of surprises and many changes! Kara Dioguardi is back, along with Big Dog Randy Jackson, host Ryan Seacrest, and of course Simon for his final swan song, but replacing Paula Abdul on the judges panel is Ellen DeGeneres. That will not happen though until Tuesday Feb. 9th when the Hollywood Auditions start, from which 24 Finalists will be announced this year, not 36 like last year.


Up until Feb. 9th, guest judges will appear for each of the auditions, including: Victoria Beckham (Former Spice Girl who will be on tonight’s premiere), Mary J Blige, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry, Shania Twain, Kristin Chenoweth, and Avril Lavigne.


Auditions will take place in the following cities: Boston (tonight), Atlanta (tomorrow night), Chicago, Orlando, Dallas, LA, and finally Denver. The ‘Road to Hollywood Auditions’ Episode airs Wednesday, Feb 3rd. The show ends ‘early’ this year with a new Idol Winner crowned on Wednesday, March 17th. See the complete Season 9 schedule at http://americanidolnet.com/american-idol-2010-schedule-released/