"American Idol" Getting Rid of All Four Judges? - East Idaho News
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“American Idol” Getting Rid of All Four Judges?

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091812 AmericanIdolJudgesFox1?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1368092117607Michael Becker/FOX(LOS ANGELES) — It’s no secret that American Idol’s ratings have been in freefall this season.  Undoubtedly, Fox will make changes to the show for 2014.  But what will they be?  A story in the May 17 issue of The Hollywood Reporter provides some insight.

Given the transparent feud between judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, it wouldn’t be a surprise if their run on the show ended after just one season.

A production insider tells The Hollywood Reporter, “The show has always taken pride in being about the contestants, not the judges.  And if the judges had a little rapport with each other, it wouldn’t be all about them.  Instead, all anybody ever wants to talk about is how the judges don’t get along.  It’s exactly what producers didn’t want.”

The publication says the show is eying “several non-diva music industry” types to possibly join the panel.  TheWrap.com takes it a step further, reporting that all four judges — including Randy Jackson and Keith Urban — will get the boot, and that, despite rumors, former panelist Jennifer Lopez will not be asked to return.  E! News is also reporting that an overhaul of the judges’ table is forthcoming.

In addition, The Hollywood Reporter states, there is speculation that Idol executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick may be shown the door, too.

There may be some format changes in store for the competition, as well.  A source tells The Hollywood Reporter that the contestants are not interested in performing “old stuff.”  That’s a problem, since Idol has had theme weeks paying tribute to artists like The Beatles and Burt Bacharach.

The Hollywood Reporter also floats the possibility that the summer Idol tour could be cancelled due to the show’s ratings decline.

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