American Idol Has Found A New Producer: Swedish TV Executive Per Blankens


20130611-230749.jpgWell, that didn’t take long!

Looks like Fox has been busy, busy, busy trying to line up all their ducks in a row after basically firing everyone except host, Ryan Seacrest. Not sure what is going on with Jimmy Iovine.

With the departure of Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick, the big question has been: “Who is going to step up to the plate and save this show? Who?

Well, Per Blankens that’s who!

Here is the lowdown as provided by The Hollywood Reporter:

“Swedish television executive Per Blankens steps in for Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick, who recently confirmed their exits from the Fox show.

FremantleMedia, one of three Idol production partners (including Fox and 19 Entertainment) today announced that Swede Per Blankens has been named executive producer of Idol for season 13.

The news comes on the heels of Nigel Lythgoe’s firing, which was officially confirmed over the weekend.

Blankens comes from the Swedish version of Idol, where he also served as executive producer.
Says FremantleMedia North America executive Trish Kinane: “Per is a creative and experienced executive who has been the showrunner on the blockbuster Swedish Idol for more than five season. He is extremely passionate about Idol and I’m very excited about his ideas and vision for keeping Idol creatively vibrant. He brings the talent and energy needed to keep American Idol strong.”

He sounds like a dynamite guy, but I am quite saddened that they couldn’t find someone with the same level of vision and passion right in the USA. I mean, come on! There are a ton of talented people out there, unless, of course, those Americans who were approached didn’t want to take on the show.

The upside is that Per Blankens is obviously invested in the Idol Franchise and perfectly understands the Idol machine.

Now, on to the selection of judges. What do you think of this new development? Comment away!

About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici

One Response to “American Idol Has Found A New Producer: Swedish TV Executive Per Blankens”

  1. I’m open-minded about this, but Swedish Idol only lasted eight seasons. I’m not sure why or if Blankens had anything to do with it, but hopefully if there were mistakes made that he’s learned from them. And Swedish Idol was supposedly great in its early days, so we’ll see.

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