American Idol executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick will reportedly both be replaced as part of next season's shakeup of the Fox reality singing competition.
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Fox declined comment on Lythgoe and Warwick's alleged departures, TheWrap reported.
The producers' exits will reportedly be part of a bigger shakeup, which will also include a new judging panel. However, decisions regarding the thirteenth season's new judges are being delayed until Fox finds a replacement for departing reality chief Mike Darnell, who recently announced he will leave the network at the end of June.
"We can't make any moves on Idol without someone in there," a show executive told TheWrap.
Darnell -- who has overseen American Idol since it debuted in 2002 -- announced he's leaving Fox after 18 years late last month and the search for whom will fill his shoes is reportedly ongoing.
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Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey have all confirmed they won't return to Idol's judging panel next season. The fate of Keith Urban on the show has yet to be disclosed. In the meantime, names of potential judges have been tossed around in multiple reports -- including Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Kelly Rowland, Adam Lambert, and Clay Aiken.
Lythgoe and Warwick launched American Idol together during its inaugural season. Lythgoe left the Fox reality singing competition in 2008 but returned in 2010.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski