Randy Jackson Reflects on American Idol Legacy

Randy Jackson opened up about his legacy on American Idol and shared details about his new show, Name That Tune, with Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier.

Jackson says, “We did it from the beginning before anybody knew the show would be a success, so when people all talk about success, success has many fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers.”

American Idol premiered in 2002 and is responsible for many famed singers’ careers today, like, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, and more. 

Jackson continues, “I just tip my hat off to the show and to the legacy of the brand, and Katy, Lionel, and Luke, you guys are killing the game trying to keep it alive. I love it.” 

The former judge recalls the moment he knew the show would be hit, alongside Paula Abdul and Simon Cook. 

“One of my favorite memories is when Kelly [Clarkson] won the very first season because that’s when I realized that the show was really going to work. I mean it was meager beginnings, y’all. We started from the bottom now we’re here.” 

He continues, “I mean I’m like — I’m sitting there at the finale like, ‘All these people voted? She’s singing great. She’s singing ‘A Moment Like This.’ I really felt it in that moment, that it was going to work.”

He also says there’s no show like Idol.

“The greatest ever of any kind, to me,” Jackson said. “I mean nothing like it before, nothing like it after, and there’s a bunch to try and copy, and to duplicate and imitate, but yo, you never beat the OG.” 

He tells Frazier that he has a new show on the way, Name That Tune, with Jane Krakowski. 

The show will feature Jackson as the leader quizzing celebrities on songs playing and them giving the song’s title.

“And I see them mouthing the words, Kevin. They’re mouthing the words to themselves, but they still can’t exactly, correctly, name the song’s title. We give them a little leeway now with the celebrity version because they’re playing for their charities.” 

Name That Tune airs on Tuesdays on FOX.