Seacrest: Could be weeks before 'Idol' judges set

[August 04, 2010]  EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest said Tuesday that it could be weeks before the show's new judges are announced.

Seacrest said during the New Jersey auditions for the Fox TV singing contest that he didn't know how big the revamped panel will turn out to be. "American Idol" started with three judges and then expanded to four.

Two openings were created by the departures of Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres, with Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez reportedly front-runners for the chairs.

Fox has declined to comment on whether Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi will be returning to the panel for season 10 in January.

Seacrest joked he misses Cowell, who was his "roommate" while on the road for auditions.

The panel switcheroo won't be the only overhaul in season 10. Universal Music Group announced Tuesday it was replacing Sony Music Entertainment as the label that develops, distributes and markets "Idol" finalists.

[Associated Press; By ALICIA RANCILIO]

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