‘Idol’ shakeup expected

American Idol producers secretly plotted to replace Mariah Carey with Jennifer Lopez.

Bosses were keen to see the return of On the Floor singer Jennifer midway through the show’s current season but, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter, once they were threatened with legal action by Carey’s team they backed off.

The insiders added a search has already begun to replace Carey and Nicki Minaj – with the possibility of replacing the entire judging panel, which includes Randy Jackson and Keith Urban, for the next season.

Carey was a huge signing for the show, but has proved less popular with viewers on the show than Lopez, who appeared in the previous two seasons. Carey’s comments and criticism have been criticised as passive and disengaged, and she has been seen as being "overshadowed" by Minaj on the show.

However, another source says research has shown Minaj’s performance on the show has not been as popular as expected, adding: "The core viewer is a Midwestern, Southern, older woman who is threatened by Nicki’s aggressiveness."

American Idol’s ratings have suffered this season, with its Wednesday show getting the worst ratings since the show began in 2001. In contrast, rival show The Voice is riding high in the ratings due in part to the inclusion of Shakira and Usher on its judging panel.

Official sources have denied any attempt to replace Carey on the show.

A Fox spokesperson said: "This is just another ridiculous Idol judge rumour, likely started by talks of Jennifer performing on the finale."

American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe said: "I have not been included in any conversation regarding replacing Mariah with Jen this season."

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