TV personality, record producer and musician Randy Jackson has confirmed that he is leaving American Idol after twelve seasons. Come on man! Jackson was the last original panel member standing as both Paula Abdul, the hit singer of the '80s, and Simon Cowell, the master of reality singing competitions, ditched the show long before.
Appearing on E! News he said ' Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on American Idol I have decided it is time to leave after this season. I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It's been a life changing opportunity but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures.'
Ratings have been dropping steadily during the latest season which is nearing the end now. Get out of that sinking ship Randy, get out. Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey also share the panel with Jackson this season so whether the whole 'one diva too many' issue the show continually experiences had anything to do with Jackson's decision or not is unknown but quite possible. What millionaire would want to sit through staged cat-fights all day?
While The Hollywood Reporter promulgates the TV gossip that the series could continue for another season with a completely new panel, there has been no evidence as of yet.