So I heard an interview with Steven Tyler (from this past week's Howard Stern Show) and it was very illuminating!
Apparently, Idol didn't approach Tyler for the judging position. He was working on a power ballad with Kara Dioguardi (for the Japanese super-movie "Battleship Yamato") and she casually mentioned "Have you ever thought about being a judge for Idol?". he has never watched the show, and with the stuff going on now with his band, he decided he'd like to try something different..."just another gig". So he had his people reach out to Idol and a deal was struck.
He has a contract for just this season and can opt out of future seasons if he wants.
He said he likes Simon, but doesn't have that kind of heart...to be mean.
He said he was blown away by some of the contestants and their talent though I got the impression that there is one guy in particular he is stoked about.
He said Aerosmith isn't broken up, and that this was supposed to be a planned "down time" for them anyway, but yes, he is having a BIG spat with Joe Perry. He went into some detail about his own personal life (rehab, his mom's death, a severe physical issue that led to his stage dive on tour with ZZ Top) and after I heard his side and Joe Perry's, I kind of lean toward Steven Tyler. It sounds like they all needed a time out. Tyler even turned down an offer to become the front man for a revived LED ZEPPELIN, telling Jimmy Page (who asked him to join) that "I'm in Aerosmith...I have a band."