Kelly Clarkson takes digs at 'Idol'

Kelly Clarkson takes digs at 'Idol', Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Duets’ Promo Spoofs Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, A promo for the season one winner's new show, "Duets," mocks Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. Many longtime "American Idol" fans were surprised when the Original Idol, Kelly Clarkson, signed up this year to be a guest mentor on "Idol's" rival show, NBC's "The Voice." And they were of course even more shocked when it was announced, soon after, that Kelly would be a regular judge on ABC's new singing competition, "Duets"--which premieres May 24, the day after the "Idol" Season 11 finale.

(Other "Duets" judges will include "Voice" mentors Lionel Richie and Robin Thicke, as well as Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles.) And now that ABC's new "Duets" promo has debuted, here's another big surprise: The ad actually quite openly mocks "American Idol."

The 45-second spot, which is modeled after Apple's iconic, Ridley Scott-directed "1984" commercial, stars a surly British judge who calls contestants "atrocious" and "horrendous," a flighty female who employs the well-worn adjective "pitchy," and a bald-headed, bespectacled African African man who says "dawg." Sound familiar?

"In a landscape where music shows are all the same, one will break through," the ad intones, as an Olympian javelin-thrower hurls a microphone stand at a screen broadcasting what we can only assume is supposed to be a faux Simon and Randy. The screen then dramatically collapses to reveal Kelly and her "Duets" co-stars, ready to take on the competition--i.e., Randy's "Idol" and Simon's new "X Factor."

Is Kelly biting the hands that once fed her, so to speak, by daring to face off so boldly against the judges who once helped kickstart her entire career? Or is it a sweet comeuppance and fun role-reversal to finally see a singing-show veteran sitting in a judge's seat? I personally think "Duets" is going to a fantastic full-circle affair, dawg--but I wonder if Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson would agree. Or if they'll watch.

via: yahoo