American Idol Turmoil: Decisions in Flux Without Reality Chief, Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick Fired.

The recent exit of FOX reality chief, Mike Darnell, has put all of American Idol’s plans for the future on hold, according to a report from The Wrap. However, both executive producers, Nigel Lythgoe AND Ken Warwick are history.

Fox is firing longtime executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick in its continuing bid to win back viewers and shake up “American Idol,” an insider with knowledge of the show told TheWrap.

The new judging panel was aimed at assembling with three former “Idol” contenders, but that plan appears to in a holding pattern since Darnell’s departure, a senior executive with knowledge of the production told TheWrap.

There’s a lot of info in this report, so I’m going to bullet:

  • Jennifer Hudson’s negotiations are over and a deal has been hammered out. She would receive a $5.5 million salary  or $4 million, according to another source. But, Fox has yet to actually execute the contract.
  • They are waiting to hear from Kelly Clarkson, who has been contacted by the show to gauge her interest. But Clarkson’s reps confirmed again on Tuesday that “Kelly is not doing ‘Idol’.”  FOX likes her, because she’s popular with Idol’s “core” audience.
  • The producers are still considering having just one former contender return — maybe keeping Keith Urban on and finding one or two other artists.  If they go with just one alum, Kelly is their girl.
  • Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken, have not received offers.
  • If the show moves forward on an all-alum panel, Adam would be their preference for a spot next to Kelly and Jennifer.

What a cluster eff!

UPDATE:  From The Hollywood Reporter

In a move widely expected by industry insiders, American Idol executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick “will be leaving the show,” a source tells The Hollywood Reporter. However, formal exit discussions have not yet begun.

As recently as this past weekend, a war room-like meeting was called to go over a laundry list of issues facing the troubled program. Coming off of “a difficult season,” as a well-placed show insider calls its most recent run, led to drastic measures like the exodus of most of the judging panel, including Mariah CareyNicki Minaj and longtime Idol fixture Randy Jackson. Another source tells THR that Keith Urban’s fate has still not been determined; Fox alternative programming head Mike Darnell’s has, however, when he decided to jettison from the network to explore “other opportunities.”

Via The Wrap

About mj santilli 34842 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!