‘American Idol’ Mass Exodus: Executive Producers Nigel Lythgoe & Ken Warwick Reportedly Out

Carl Williott | June 6, 2013 10:05 am

The firesale at American Idol continues. Executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick are leaving the show, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Both men came over from Britain’s Pop Idol and have been with the show since day one, although Lythgoe did take a two-season hiatus. This isn’t expected to affect their standing on other FOX shows, such as Lythgoe’s So You Think You Can Dance.

The show’s executives have been in crisis mode since the season 12 finale tanked in the ratings, setting a record low for the series, massively down from the prior year’s then-record low. Since then, judges Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey all jumped off the sinking ship, with Keith Urban also expected to be gone by next season. Additionally, a quarter of the Live! summer tour dates were canceled.

Producers reportedly added Jennifer Hudson as a judge, though that deal still hasn’t been finalized. Adam Lambert and Kelly Clarkson are supposedly in talks to join as well. It’s either shaking up to be an unlucky season 13 for Idol next year, or the show is preparing to rise from the ashes. At this point, the only certainty is that Ryan Seacrest is the last man standing. He goes down with the ship!

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