New “American Idol” boss David Hill has reached across the Atlantic for help in getting the Fox talent show back on track.
Hill has imported Per Blankens, who’s worked on the Swedish version of “Idol,” to whip its US cousin into shape for next season.
The move follows the weekend ousters of Ken Warwick and Nigel Lythgoe, who’d been executive-producing “Idol” for several years and were let go after the show finished in May with the least-watched season in its 12-year history.
Blankens worked on the Swedish “Idol” for five seasons (2007-2011) and has a long resume in TV — including a stint as the head of Meter Television, a Scandinavian company where he oversaw local versions of “Master Chef” and “The Biggest Loser,” in addition to “Idol.”
Lythgoe, 63, one of the show’s original producers — who returned to the “Idol” fold in 2010 after a two-year absence — will continue with his other Fox show, “So You Think You Can Dance,” which is entering its 10th season.
“If the executives that are now in charge of ‘American Idol’ believe that the ratings will improve with my departure, I have no complaints,” he said in a statement yesterday.
“It has been a great ride and I’ve loved every moment of it.”
Hill, the former Fox Sports exec, will oversee a completely revamped “Idol” when it kicks off its 13th season in January (auditions begin next month).
Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey were jettisoned as judges last month after one season on the show, while Randy Jackson announced his departure before the season finale.
Country crooner Keith Urban is the lone judge remaining from last year’s panel.
Rumors are swirling that “Idol” officials would like to bring back former show faves as judges — including Kelli Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Adam Lambert and Jennifer Hudson — but, so far, no one has been confirmed as joining the show.