When Jay Leno threw down the red carpet tonight for American Idol's Judges - Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and Randy Jackson trotted out (with Ryan Seacrest in tow) - the audience went wild as a ripple of electricity zig-zagged throughout the theatre.
"It's a day job," joked Steve Tyler when affable Leno probed the legendary rocker about the rigors of committing to Fox's highly-rated talent show and the strenuous daily schedules involved.
It was a struggle to crawl out of bed at 6:30 a.m. - though - the aging Lothario admitted in so many words.
In unison, the trio of males were quick to underscore that when it came to Lopez, however, stepping out of the trailer (a floating palace on wheels) all sweetness-and-light at the crack-of-dawn was no problem.
"But, 'ya never know. It may have taken the make-up man five hours. We don't know."
"And, you never will," the pop chanteuse shot back with an infectious grin on her face.
As usual, Leno was anxious to get down to the nitty-gritty, with the specific aim of dredging up the scandalous scuttlebutt.
"It must be difficult for you to be mean, Jennifer," he innocently quizzed from behind the desk.
"Well, you can't say - 'you suck' - ," she giggled.
"You try to find a way to be honest. But, sometimes telling the truth can be just as brutal," she noted almost in an afterthought.
Jennifer swears up-and-down that during the time frame when industry players thought she was initially holding out for more money (and perks) before signing on the dotted line - that, in all truth - she wasn't sure she wanted to take on the daunting weekly task.
Tyler - on the other hand - was approached impromptu and warmed up to the idea right away.
"I was in-between tours and had a lot of spare time on my hands. I thought it might keep me out of trouble," he quipped with a sly suggestive glance in the talk-show host's direction.
In contrast, his musician pals were not in accord, at all.
"They laughed at me," he recalled with a tinge of embarrassment.
Ryan Seacrest was upbeat and outgoing - Mr. Personality - as usual.
For the record, he announced that the Fox's ballot procedure (for casting votes) was overhauled to keep the process honest and fair.
Free of Bristol Palin-style controversies in the future???
The audience roared their approval when Tyler plugged an upcoming Tour planned for later in the year.
An album is in the works, too.
The Judges stressed that when the show kicks off on January 19th (2011) that the panel and show producers will be keeping a keen eye out for contestants who bring the "whole package" to the table.
No flashes in the pan - or one-hit wonders - please!
"We're on the look-out to uncover performers who have the potential to contribute to the music industry for decades to come," Jennifer confided in no uncertain terms.
So, contestants should keep that in the forefront of their mind, when preparing to audition for the top-rated Fox variety hit, which doesn't appear to be on its last legs just yet.
As Bugs Bunny would say:
That's all folks!
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