Jennifer Lopez reportedly begins official negotiations for American Idol return - Report
Credit: FOX
Though it's long been rumored that Jennifer Lopez has told FOX executives she wants to return to American Idol as a judge for the show's 13th season, there is now word that Lopez has sent her manager, Benny Medina, to begin official contract negotiations in the wake of Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson's official exits.
“J.LO’s manager, Benny Medina, was in talks with FOX even before Mariah and Nicki announced their departures last week,” a source told RadarOnline.com. “Benny told FOX that she does indeed want to return. They’re talking. Negotiations are in their infant stages, but they’re underway to get her back to the judges’ table.”
If Lopez were to return to the panel, it would put an end to the rumors of an American Idol all-stars judging panel, a rumor which gained further credence with the official addition of Oscar winner/Season 3 finalist Jennifer Hudson to the panel. FOX is reportedly in panic mode about Idol's sagging ratings, with the twelfth season hitting record lows. The May 16 finale drew a mere fraction of Idol's former finale audience, with 14.2 million viewers sticking around to see Candice Glover crowned as the show's first female winner in five years.
“The show needs an overhaul,” said a source close to the situation, and FOX executives feel Lopez could give the show a much-needed boost.
One of the motivating factors behind Lopez's eagerness to return is her five-year-old twins, Max and Emme. The singer wants to be grounded in Los Angeles to provide a settled life for her children, as they prepare to go to kindergarten. With an Idol return in the offing, Lopez has already begun looking for schools in the LA area.
Personally, as good as stability would be for Lopez and her children, I just can't see Lopez being good for the franchise. While an all-star panel wouldn't have brought the franchise back to its former juggernaut status, it was the most excited people have been about a possible Idol change in ages. Granted, the sooner the FOX executives quick mortgaging the future on the franchise on whatever big-name celeb they can get for their judging panel, and instead get back to featuring unique talents, the better off we'll all be. If Idol needs fixing, then FOX should know better than anybody that it's not a fix that will come with one single change.
Via: RadarOnline
