Rumormill: Popager Joe Simpson Blows Idol Deal for daughter Jessica Simpson, Paves the Way for Judge J. Lo

Posted on 04. Aug, 2010 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

“Here comes the Judge! Here comes the Judge!”

Jennifer Lopez has yet to officially announce that she’s the newest judge on “American Idol,” but according to the rumor mill she was offered this position after several legendary singers essentially said, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

According to Idol insiders “J.Lo was definitely not the first choice. In fact, she wasn’t even the second or third choice.” Before they approached Lopez, producers first asked Elton John and Barry Manilow to join the show. Both are world renown singer-songwriters who’ve mentored Idol contestants in prior seasons. Elton and Barry both declined.

Producers then began to scout celebrities whose careers were in flux and  chose two musical artists who could benefit from the exposure of a national TV show as much as the Idol needed them: thus choices, Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Lopez.

According to inside sources, the job could have been Jessica Simpson’s were it not for her father and career manager aka Pop-ager, Joe Simpson. “This was definitely Jessica’s to lose and that’s exactly what her dad-manager did. Once it became clear it was going to be impossible to negotiate a deal with Papa Joe, J.Lo was snapped up. Convinced being on the show would relaunch her performing career, she accepted the new job right away.”

Rumors are also swirling that Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler is set to join the show. Randy Jackson will return as a judge and Ryan Seacrest is confirmed as host.

Sources: MTV, Popeater, US Magazine

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New NICK Show based on Papa Joe Simpson, Jessica & Ashlee Simpson-Wentz

Posted on 06. Feb, 2010 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

Joe Simpson, father and manager of performers Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, is developing a Nickelodeon comedy series loosely based on his real-life experience as a minister and psychologist raising two daughters in Texas. No mention of wife and mom Tina’s role, if any.

The as of yet untitled project revolves around one of the daughters who begins imitating her father and giving life advice to other kids in her school.

Emily Cutler (ABC’s “Carpoolers”) is writing the script with Simpson.  Veteran tween and teen series producer Tommy Lynch is executive producing.  Lynch has a long-standing relationship with Nickelodeon, having produced Nick series “South of Nowhere,” “Romeo!” and most recently “The Troop.”

Following his daughters’ success and his career turn as their manager, Joe Simpson has segued into producing Jessica and Ashlee’s TV projects and recently, the ABC drama series “Women’s Murder Club.” In defense of his managing the girls (reportedly for up to 20% of their earnings), US Magazine quoted Joe as saying: “It’s unfair to criticize me for what every manager does for his or her clients. And in this business, where people can quickly turn on you, who better than a parent to be working for his children?”

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