I like Randy Jackson. He may be old, but he is a cool young soul. The funky dress sense, the bounce in his step and the excessive use of the word “dude” all point to him being a funky guy.
But there is also a bad side to the man. Since Simon Cowell left his judging post on American Idol, Jackson (pictured) has taken it upon himself to be the replacement judge in terms of being the stern and impossible.
You sometimes get the feeling he is trying way too hard. In the last line-up of judges from the show Jennifer Lopez was the voice of reason and Steven Tyler had flashes of brilliance in his remarks. So that left Jackson as the baddie.
With the news that Tyler and Lopez will not be part of next season’s judging panel, it remains to be seen if Jackson will also leave. He has, after all, been on the show for the longest time. If he leaves what will become of the man?
Well, as he has given us a number of seasons of the dance show, America’s Best Dance Crew which returns to our screens on Vuzu, perhaps Jackson could take part in that reality competition show.
Considering the show is supposedly presented by him, yet we rarely see him appear on it, it would be great to see Jackson sit on the judges’ panel, with his colourful jerseys, and critique the dancers.
If Oprah and Tyra Banks can sit in on their productions and make them work, then why not Jackson?
It is like the Russell Simmons Presents Stand Up Comedy programme where the media guru does nothing but show up right at the end of the acts to give a short shout out.
America’s Best Dance Crew is a popular show and if Jackson swallowed his pride and simply jumped the America Idol ship before they shove him off he might find happiness with his own product.
The various crews we see year in and year out end up dancing for some big acts so Jackson could be the guy who supplies the talent to established musicians. Besides, if J.Lo and Tyler did two years of American Idol and are ready to leave, that should sound some sort of siren to Jackson.
You can’t keep doing the same thing for ever. Cowell came and left. So did Ellen Degeneres and a whole lot of other celebrities who were elected to be judges on the show. It is just a sad picture to see Jackson cling on to this gig as if he has nothing else to do.
He is like that guy who shows up at a party right on the second it was said to be starting, making him appear over-eager.
Seriously, there is no shame in Jackson joining his own creation, America’s Best Dance Crew, full time.
• America’s Best Dance Crew airs every Tuesday at 7.30pm on Vuzu (DStv channel 123).