Panicky “American Idol” execs recently tried booting judge Mariah Carey off the show and replacing her with ex-judge Jennifer Lopez — in a frenzied attempt to stem “Idol’s” ratings free fall, a shocking report claims.
The plan was abandoned when Carey threatened to sue, according to the Hollywood Reporter — but Lopez, who was an “Idol” judge for two seasons, is negotiating to return for next month’s season finale.
“This is just another ridiculous ‘Idol’ judge rumor, likely started by talks of Jennifer performing on the finale,” Fox officials said in a widely distributed statement.
“I have not been included in any conversation regarding replacing Mariah with Jen this season,” “Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe told the Hollywood Reporter.
Officials from show co-producer Fremantle had no comment on the report when contacted by The Post.
It’s no secret that “Idol” — once prime-time’s most dominant show with more than 20 million viewers, on average — has been on a downward ratings trend the past few years and has experienced a steep ratings drop this season.
It’s averaging a little over 15 million viewers — solid numbers for any other show — with rival talent show show “The Voice” on NBC nipping at its heels.
“Idol” was even beaten last Thursday night, in its first half-hour, by a repeat of CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory,” in both total viewers and the advertiser-coveted demo of adults 18-49.
After Lopez and Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler left last season, producers brought in Carey and Nicki Minaj — hoping to snare younger viewers — and added a fourth judge, Keith Urban, to join stalwart Randy Jackson.
But the infusion of fresh judges has, thus far, failed to spark the show, now in its 13th season.
Once the season ends next month, producers will boot Carey and possibly even Minaj — and could blow up the entire judges panel and start from scratch, according to the report.
“If ratings continue to deteriorate, and chances are they will, Fox will have to seriously consider life without ‘American Idol,’ ” says Marc Berman, editor-in-chief at TV Media Insights.
He also offers an out-of-the-box suggestion to help the sagging series.
“One option would be to end [Fox’s] ‘The X Factor’ and air one final season of ‘Idol’ with original judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson,” he says.
“Let it go out with some dignity.”
The two-hour season finale of “American Idol” airs Thursday, May 16.