Steven Tyler, ‘Idol’ Judge?

With Simon Cowell calling season nine his last and Ellen DeGeneres announcing that she also won’t be returning to the show, there are now potentially two spots open at the judge’s table. Or maybe “Idol” really has three job openings. One rumor going around the web is that judge Kara DioGuardi’s contract isn’t being renewed, leaving original judge Randy Jackson as the only familiar face on the panel. 

Rumor also has it that potential judges under consideration include Tyler along with Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr.

On Saturday Tyler appeared to spill the beans to TMZ during an after-party at MGM Grand’s Studio 54 in Las Vegas.

“I’m probably going to be a judge on ‘American Idol.’ I’m doing it,” the Aerosmith frontman said. “What do you think? I’m doing it.”

Then again, it’s important to remember he was talking with TMZ, which isn’t exactly known as the most legitimate news source.

A representative for Tyler told Pollstar, “The comment from the video was taken out of context. He’s having fun with the rumor. … There’s nothing to confirm.”

On Monday, syndicated American radio show “Kid Kraddick in the Morning” kept the rumor going during an interview with Tyler.

“This beautiful girl from Fox came up to me and made an offer. I honored her offer … and it’s just a work in progress,” Tyler said. “They mentioned it and I listened, and we’re on tour, so I gotta give it some time.”

The rocker was asked what type of a judge he’d be.

“I would be honest to the ones that think they have it, and I would be truthful in the sense that if, to those that have it, they don’t have it yet enough. And I would tell them exactly why, as I see it.”

Peter Rice, chairman of entertainment for the Fox Networks Group, had no news to share with fans during Monday’s meeting of the Television Critics Association.

“There are no deals signed on either side of the camera” with newcomers, Rice said.

He hinted at the rumors, saying some of the media speculation was accurate and some was “wildly inaccurate.” Whatever that means. Rice declined to discuss DioGuardi’s contract or Jackson’s status on the panel.

The goal is to have judges locked down by mid-September in time for auditions that include the panel to be filmed. The tenth season of “Idol” is set to premier in January on Fox.

Do you think Steven Tyler would make a good judge? Who would you like to see at the judging panel? Or should the show just call it a wrap without Simon?

Click here to listen to Steven Tyler’s interview on “Kid Kraddick in the Morning.”

Click here to watch Tyler’s interview with TMZ.

Click here for the AP story.