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Report: Idol Planned to Replace Mariah Carey With Jennifer Lopez

Was American Idol planning to replace judge Mariah Carey with Jennifer Lopez? According to The Hollywood Reporter, Idol producers and Fox executives wanted to replace Carey with Lopez in order to "jump-start" the falling ratings. Once a ratings juggernaut, Idol's performance show has been averaging around 12 million viewers, the lowest a season has garnered since its debut. But apparently the switcheroo idea led Carey to threaten litigation, so the plan was nixed.

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Robyn Ross

Was American Idol planning to replace judge Mariah Carey with Jennifer Lopez?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Idol producers and Fox executives wanted to replace Carey with Lopez in order to "jump-start" the falling ratings. Once a ratings juggernaut, Idol's performance show has been averaging around 12 million viewers, the lowest a season has garnered since its debut. But apparently the switcheroo idea led Carey to threaten litigation, so the plan was nixed.

Check out all the latest American Idol news

"This is just another ridiculous Idol judge rumor, likely started by talks of Jennifer performing on the finale," a Fox spokeswoman told TVGuide.comin a statement. Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe additionally told THR, "I have not been included in any conversation regarding replacing Mariah with Jen this season."

An email to Fox was not immediately returned.

Did you think Jennifer Lopez was a better judge than Mariah Carey?