Last Original American Idol Judge Randy Jackson Confirms He's Leaving The Show Ahead Of Its 14th Season

Catch you later, dawg. It's the end of an Idol era: after 14 years, American Idol's final original judge Randy Jackson will be leaving the show, following the lead of Paula Abdul (in 2009) and Simon Cowell (in 2010). Jackson had actually stepped down as a judge during the show's 13th season last year, but stayed on a musical mentor and was still heavily involved with the show. 

Last season's judges included Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr and Keith Urban, and was widely seen as a stabilising year for the show following tumultuous years with Steve Tyler, Ellen DeGeneres, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj all shifting through the judges seats. 

"After 13 seasons, I felt now was the perfect time to leave 'American Idol,'" Jackson said in a statement and reported by People. "I'm proud to have been a part of a series that discovered some incredible artists and will go down in history as one of the most successful television shows ever. A true original, Idol started it all. Onto what's next."

Jackson's departure means that host Ryan Seascrest is the only remaining personality from the show's original inception.  

Fox said in the statement, "Randy has been such an integral part of American Idol since day one, both as a judge and as a mentor. He's provided great advice and support, shaping the success of so many Idols we have discovered over the years.

"We wish him all the best in his next chapter. Randy will always be part of our Idol family and we hope he'll visit from time to time."

It remains to be seen whether or not Idol can recapture its glory says, with Time saying "But the show seems, now, far past the point at which it might somehow become, again, the single most discussed program on the air." 

Deadline.com report that "what's next" for Jackson includes "producing TV and film projects as well as managing artists through his company Dream Merchant 21 Entertainment."

How do you feel about Randy leaving? Is it the end of an era? Will the show still feel the same without him? Season XIV of American Idol will premiere in January 2015 on Fox.