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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.”

Maddie Poppe Wins American Idol
(ABC)

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.”

 
Warwick, on Lopez breaking down over Chris Medina: “Real life isn’t in her face as much as it is for the rest of us.”

James Durbin, on standing up for those with Tourette’s syndrome: “It’s cool that I get to be like the spokesperson for it. It’s affecting a wider variety of people now.”

Inside the Idol house: The nine finalists in attendance all agreed that Karen Rodriguez is always late; Jacob Lusk is the loudest in the mansion and Thia Megia is the most shy.