American Idol’s 10th season is almost to a close, and it seems difficult to remember that this time last year, most people had written a Simon-less Idol off. (Fools!) The Hollywood Reporter took a look back at the reality juggernaut’s tumultuous – and ultimately, triumphant – past year, interviewing the people behind the scenes for all the backstage drama. Find out who Steven Tyler should be thanking for putting his name into the running by jumping below for the five most revealing tidbits of Idol’s cover story.


5 Things We Learned From The Hollywood Reporter’s American Idol Cover Story

1. Kara DioGuardi was the one who recommended Steven Tyler to Randy Jackson as a possible judge. Randy then brought the idea to the attention of the Idol producers.

2. Jennifer Lopez, a huge Idol addict, was on everyone’s (including Simon Cowell) list as possible judges. She was first asked to consider the show in April of 2010.

3. Steven and Jennifer were hired without ever putting them into the same room together to judge their chemistry. Randy, Ryan, Jennifer and Steven had a big dinner the day before the official announcement was made, and, as Jackson recalls, “Some of the execs dropped by later, and they were like, ‘Wow, it’s like old pals week.’”

4. Producer Nigel Lythgoe was initially against the Judges’ Save, but admits, “Thank God we saved Casey [Abrams]. From a practical point of view, I loved it because here was a guy who really deserved to be saved. But I would prefer to go to my way, which is the judges make the decision out of the bottom two or three that America votes. Then you don’t need a save.”

5. Steven Tyler is a big fan of J-Lo’s romantic comedy The Back-Up Plan. Jury’s still out on what he thought of Gigli, though.