Randy Jackson

The brewing feud between American Idol and The Voice, which returns for a second season after the Super Bowl Sunday night, shows no signs of simmering down.

Coach/judge Adam Levine is taking Idol's Randy Jackson to task for saying NBC’s upstart singing competition is more for “second chance people” than true stars.

“The winner of The Voice, I will remind you,” Jackson noted at the TCAs, “is an artist who had a deal at Capitol Records for several years, a failed contract.”

Levine's response, in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres:

Adam Levine Responds to Randy Jackson on Ellen

“Shame on Randy Jackson for saying that,” Levine said. “He, of anybody, should know that if you’re in this business you need second, third, fourth and fifth chances."

"So we love and embrace having that being part of the show.”

Levine, who was joined by fellow The Voice coaches Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton, does credit Jackson for being “a working musician [who's] had a lot of success,” but he contends Jackson’s comments were “irresponsible.”

Do you agree? And which show do you like better?

Oh, it is on between American Idol and The Voice.

During their panel discussion at yesterday's Television Critics Association winter press tour session, judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler left little doubt that they don't care much for NBC's singing competition, which gets underway on February 5.

Among the disses lobbed at The Voice by this trio and/or Fox executives:

“It’s a compliment to Idol. We’re not hiring a lot of people from The Voice to be on our show.” - Fox reality president Mike Darnell on Kelly Clarkson joining The Voice as a mentor

"It was almost like second chance people; it wasn’t some new artist.” - Randy Jackson on The Voice champion Javier Colon having had a contract with Capitol Records

 “This is the show that produces the stars.” - Producer Ken Warwick

“We will never, ever rip of Star Trek like The Voice did with the chairs.” - Jackson

Finally, Randy responded to a question about why four consecutive Idol champions have had a penis, saying: “May the best talent win. If it’s another boy this year that’s the most talented person, that’s who should win... Look at the success of Justin Bieber; there are a lot of girls who vote for boys, that’s just what happens.”

Which singing competition do you like best?

The incredible journey of American Idol kicks off again on January 17, and contestant should be warned: there will be no more Mr. Nice Judges.

"It was hard for me in the beginning to say 'no' at all," Jennifer Lopez tells TV Guide Magazine. "[This year] we're just as honest and just as compassionate, but maybe a tiny bit more blunt about it... it has to be tough love. Maybe we're a little tougher on the tough-love part."

What about the presence of The X Factor and The Voice? Is the team worried about singing competition overkill?

"There's only one Coca-Cola," Randy Jackson said in response. "There may be many different variations made, but this is the original one. That's why I still call this the greatest talent show of its kind."

Jackson adds that there's a big difference between Idol and Simon Cowell's British important: the former is a "more intimate show," he says, elaborating:

"I think that's what really helps these kids. It's focused on us, yes, but not so much that you lose focus on the kids' talent. We never want to overshadow that."

Still not very long removed from her divorce, Jennifer Lopez is diving into work. She performed last weekend at the iHeart Music Radio Festival and Randy Jackson confirmed at the event that his pal is "doing [American Idol] auditions and rising above."

It helps when you might be dating Bradley Cooper, of course.

Jennifer Lopez - On the Floor (Live)

"She's strong, she's a trooper, she's a great girl. She's amazing," Jackson told People.

J. Lo performed a 25-minute set at the Las Vegas event, which included the above performance of "On the Floor."  And she ought to feel comforted to know that her Fox family will always be there for her.

"Whatever help we need to give, we'll give her," Randy said.

Will The Dawg Pound be coming to a television screen near you?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, American Idol judge Randy Jackson is pushing for his own talk show. It would not be limited to just the music scene, either.

"He wants to talk about things that will be hip next," an insider says. "He thinks he has his finger on the pulse."

It's safe to say that fashion won't be on Randy Jackson's talk show plate.

Jackson has produced records for such huge stars as Madonna, Elton John and Whitney Houston. If this deal goes through, Jackson would join Anderson Cooper and Katie Couric as a new talk show host.

Would you watch his gabfest?

A mean Randy Jackson? A tearful Jennifer Lopez? A shy Thia Megia?

At yesterday's American Idol panel at PaleyFest 2011, producers and contestants dished on season 10 of the country's most popular show. Read on for an intimate look at the judging table and a lot more...

Producer Ken Warwick, on the new Dawg: "He keeps it real... Randy brings it back and smack, this is what we think and this is where it is. He's great this year."

Randy, on his new attitude: "Somebody great is going to go home every week because I think we got some really, really talented kids. We got to call it as we see it. You just have to be honest and give these kids really helpful critiques, be that good or bad."

With Simon Cowell exiting American Idol after this year, Randy Jackson is set to become the face of the franchise.

So far, he's spoken out on the over exposure of the show's judges and previewed a "wild, crazy season" to come on the competition.

But what about the recent past? How would Randy compare the two men left standing to conclude season eight?

"[Adam Lambert is] a far bigger personality, probably, than [Kris Allen]. But I think they're both equally talented," Jackson told MTV. "Kris obviously won for a reason."

As for another finalist, Jackson had nothing but praise for Allison Iraheta: "She's got her record out too. I wish them all well and the best."

Randy also said he was pleased to see that season nine isn't shock full of Adam and Kris clones. Leading into Hollywood week, the aspiring singers stand on their own.

"You would have thought there would have been a lot more theatrical Adam Lambert or Kris Allen types that would have showed up for the auditions, but that's not what happened at all this time.

"Usually, whoever wins or comes in one and two, the next season of auditions, you have a lot of those kinds of people. It's almost like it was a signal to all the people at home who were like them... I think we got a very interesting, unique cast that's really only unique to this season nine."

The action, judging and horrible/incredible auditions kick off tonight. Will you be watching?!?

Paula Abdul is out. Ellen DeGeneres is in. Simon Cowell may soon be gone.

Leading into tomorrow night's ninth season premiere of American Idol, the focus has been on this show's judging panel and its related controversies. Randy Jackson would like to see that change.

“People get sidetracked with [all the changes to the panel]," Jackson told reporters on a recent conference call. "Listen. There are contestants.... this is a singing competition.... Let’s focus on what we’re judging and what the actual meat of the show really is. It’s about finding that next superstar talent.”

Because Hollywood week kicks off later than usual this year, Jackson couldn't tease fans with the names of prospective finalists. But he did hype the auditions so far, which have been judged by a slew of celebrities.

“This season, we’ve got some really good, bonafide, stand-in-your-shoes singers,” Jackson said, adding his main three criteria for success on the show: "Undeniable talent, something that makes you unique, and some star persona.”

Overall, our favorite dawg promises “an interesting, wild, crazy season.” He says that that one thing remains the same:

“This show is definitely a rocket ship to the top.”

Unless your name is Taylor Hicks, that is.

When it comes to predicting the American Idol final pairing, Randy Jackson is going out on a limb shorter than Ryan Seacrest.

During an appearance at Amtrak’s National Train Day in Washington D.C. (seriously, it's a real thing!), the judge predicted next week's finale to come down to Danny Gokey and Adam Lambert.

“Adam Lambert is definitely the lead winner if we had to choose today. He’s got the vocal chops, he’s a good-looking guy like myself, and he’s got that star potential,” Jackson said. “I think it’s going to come down to him and Danny [Gokey] in the finale.”

Are you a Lambert Lover or a Goke Head?

As for rumors that fellow panelist Kara DioGuardi might not return to the judges’ table next season, Randy said:

“I think everybody will be back. I think you will see the returning cast.”

Might former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and current American Idol judge Randy Jackson have shared a night of passion at the Beverly Wilshire hotel?!?

According to a new reports in Us Weekly, the answer is, astonishingly, YES; though said passion might have been based around a common interest in music, not one another's naked bodies.

Allow us to explain:

When Rice, a classically trained pianist, was in Los Angeles for her March 24 appearance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, she asked to meet Jackson for a private conversation at the aforementioned, fancy hotel.

Sources say the music producer "was sort of mystified" at the request, but you don't say no to a one-time secretary of state that may or may not have authorized the extensive use of torture.

"She's a longtime admirer of Randy and enjoyed the opportunity to meet him in person and talk about their common passion for music," Rice's spokesman told the tabloid, while an insider said she found the judge "to be absolutely intriguing."

Does this mean more took place between Rice and Jackson than just a friendly chat? We don't know.

But the Beverly Wilshire is the hotel where Richard Gere and Julia Roberts' characters fell in love during Pretty Woman? Just sayin.