The behind-the-scenes reboot of American Idol is starting to pick up steam. A source tells The Hollywood Reporter that the Fox show is closing in on its season 13 judges lineup. At the top of producers' wish list: singer, actress and mini-mogul Jennifer Lopez, who was a judge on Idol for two seasons, in 2011 and 2012.
But talks between producers and Lopez's representatives seem to have reached an impasse over -- what else -- money.
While on Idol, Lopez earned an estimated $15 million per season. It was reported that her successor, Mariah Carey, got $3 million more than that. No doubt Lopez's manager Benny Medina, who, another insider says is “pushing hard to do a deal,” is asking for a hefty pay raise for Lopez. (Also worth noting: Midway through Idol's lackluster season 12, producers approached Lopez's team with a plan to replace Carey with Lopez.)
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Meanwhile, Idol is also talking with season three alum-turned-Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, who has long been believed to be close to finalizing a deal. Keith Urban, the well-liked country star and season 12 judge, looks set to return, and the show might add Will.I.Am, who spent the last two seasons as a coach on the U.K. version of The Voice (though a source says the Black Eyed Peas frontman still hasn't decided if he's returning to The Voice). Dr. Luke, pop hitmaker (Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone," Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream") and newly minted label head (his Kemosabe Records is a joint-venture with Sony Music), was also in the running, but a source says Idol has cooled on him.
Even at this late stage -- auditions for season 13 of Idol are taking place now, with some 8,000 turning out for try-outs in Detroit; the next stop is set for July 26 in Atlanta -- the new powers-that-be seem to be wavering. J Lo makes sense in light of the fact that new executive producer Per Blankens, who came over from Swedish Idol to take over for longtime EPs Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick, is “looking for big names” to fill out the panel. The Swede’s thinking: this is “American” Idol -- the biggest of the franchise. The judges should be the same.
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On the other hand, a salary north of $20 million for four months' work would set a bad precedent in a TV sector that's seen ratings nosedive of late. Idol's season 12 finale, for instance, only saw 14.3 million people tune in, down from 21.5 million the year before. That drop of more than 40 percent contributed to the show's lowest rated finale ever and the first time since the series launched in 2002 that it didn't hit 20 million viewers.
Among the other ideas floated is an all-alumni panel. Sources say Blankens and newly arrived producers Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager -- whose past experience producing live television events like VH1’s Divas special and the MTV Video Music Awards is seen as a major asset the a reboot -- have somewhat soured on the all-alumni idea. Still, as recently as two weeks ago, another sources said talks with Adam Lambert were still ongoing. The season eight fan favorite has said on multiple occasions that he would be "thrilled" to join if asked.
Veteran judge Randy Jackson said before the season's end that he won't return in 2014, as have Carey and hip-hop star Nicki Minaj.
Reps for Lopez and 19 Entertainment did not respond to THR's request for comment. FremantleMedia, which produces Idol, and Fox would not comment.
Twitter: @shirleyhalperin
