Update, 1:30 p.m. Friday:
Despite reports swirling around the media that Jennifer Lopez would be replacing Ellen DeGeneres on "American Idol," and that Steven Tyler also was coming on board, an executive close to the situation has told TheWrap that absolutely no deals are yet in place for anyone.
There have been numerous discussions over with talent over the last two months, the executive said, but there has been no confirmation announced because the ink is not dry on any contracts.
Many of the names being reported are accurate, the executive said; others are not -- and the only thing for sure right now is that DeGeneres and Simon Cowell would not be returning. By implication, this also would mean reports of Kara DioGuardi leaving the judges' table are premature.
The Lopez story first appeared on Deadline.com, who said a deal was closed earlier this week, orchestrated by Lopez's manager several months ago by Benny Medina.
People magazine added confirmation on Tuesday morning, citing an industry source. “It’s true,” says one insider. “She’s excited about it.”
Also reporting it was the Associated Press, who only said that Lopez was "close to signing a deal to join Fox TV's hit singing contest, a person familiar with the negotiations said late Thursday."
On Thursday night, TMZ added DioGuardi's supposed departure into the mix, saying the four-judge panel was taking time away from the contestants.
Spokespeople from Fox and Freemantle, the show's producer, refused to comment and gave no indication of when they could comment. Calls from TheWrap to Lopez's team were not immediately returned.
The big question now seems to be whether Fox will make any announcements before its Monday appearance at the Television Critics Association press tour in Beverly Hills.
If reports are true about Lopez, the move comes at a low point in her career. Her movies such as last year's "The Back Up Plan" have bombed at the box office and she lost her record contract with Sony.
Unlike DeGeneres, Lopez offers music chops. Moreover, like former Lakers cheerleader and "Idol" judge Paula Abdul, Lopez came to prominence as a dancer. She was a Fly Girl on the Fox series "In Living Color" in 1990.
Lopez has ties to the hit Fox competition series. She served as a mentor to the contestants during the show's 2007 season.
Previously:
The search for Simon Cowell's replacement has consumed "American Idol" producers for months. Now the showrunners are left with another high-profile seat at the judge's table to fill.
Ellen DeGeneres is bailing as a judge of the hit talent competition after one season, Fox and the comedian announced on Thursday.
“A couple months ago, I let Fox and the 'American Idol' producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me,” DeGeneres said. “I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next.
