Entertainment Newz Update: 'American Idol' mainstay Randy Jackson

'American Idol' mainstay Randy Jackson

Fox reality singing competition's ratings have been 25% lower than last year which leaves Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban on hot seat Comments (86) By David Hinckley AND Don Kaplan / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Published: Thursday, May 9, 2013, 11:19 AM Updated: Friday, May 10, 2013, 9:14 AM 633 149 0 Print Don’t get used to them! Reports are circulating thta ‘American Idol’ judge (from l.) Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban are all on their way out. Don’t get used to them! Reports are circulating thta ‘American Idol’ judges (from l.) Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban are all on their way out. Jackson (c.) confirmed that he's leaving the show. This "dawg" is giving up his golden bone. Veteran “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson announced Thursday that he’s leaving the Fox talent show — and he apparently isn’t the only one. An “insider” told The Wrap Thursday that Fox plans to start the show from scratch next time around, after a year of bad reviews and worse ratings. PHOTOS: 'AMERICAN IDOL' WINNERS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Outgoing judge Randy Jackson has been the last remaining judge on the show after Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul previously exited. Kevin Winter/Fox Outgoing judge Randy Jackson has been the last remaining judge on the show after Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul previously exited. That would mean not picking up the options of Jackson’s fellow judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban. The Wrap also says executive producer Nigel Lythgoe could be gone. Only host Ryan Seacrest seems to be sticking around. RELATED: CARRIE UNDERWOOD TO SING ‘SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL’ THEME American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, center, poses with judges, from left, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson before the 14th season of the reality singing competition kicked off - and became the lowest rated season in the history of the show. Michael Becker/AP American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, center, poses with judges, from left, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson before the 14th season of the reality singing competition kicked off - and became the lowest rated season in the history of the show. Jackson, known for addressing contestants as “dawg,” said in a statement that he’s bowing out. “Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on ‘American Idol’ I have decided it is time to leave after this season,” he said. “I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry,” said Jackson, who has been on the show since its inception in 2002. Asked if she was returning next season, Minaj addressed the brouhaha on Seacrest’s radio show Thursday. PHOTOS: WORST CELEBRITY FEUDS Executive Producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick are looking at a complete overhaul for the show. Kelsey McNeal/FOX Executive Producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick are looking at a complete overhaul for the show. “That’s a million-dollar question,” she said. “I have to say this all the time, but I want people to know it’s genuinely from my heart. I love the people on ‘Idol.’ I genuinely do. If I had to do this all over again, I would have done ‘Idol.’ Because it’s fun, it’s laughs. "I feel happy here and I have to thank them for giving me this chance,” Minaj added. “They could have picked anyone in the world. And they picked me. So that’s all I’ll say about that.” Fox declined to comment on the report, and representatives for the other judges could not immediately be reached. But there has been speculation for some time that the show plans radical changes for next year, and they start at the table with the Coca-Cola cups. RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: SIMON COWELL LOOKS TO SHUFFLE THE DECK FOR 'X FACTOR' Nothing to smile about: ‘Idol’ has dropped nearly 25% in the ratings from last season, which was the previous low. Nothing to smile about: ‘Idol’ has dropped nearly 25% in the ratings from last season, which was the previous low. “Idol” has dropped almost 25% in the ratings from last year, when the ratings were the lowest in show history. It has also lost much of its traditional buzz, even as it builds toward the coronation of the winner next week. Like Fox’s “The X Factor” and NBC’s competing “The Voice,” “Idol” bet millions on big-name celebrity judges. Critics warned that this could take focus away from the competitors, and there are signs that the show creators may now agree. Original “Idol” judge Simon Cowell, now of “The X Factor,” called a meeting of his team in the last few days to say that he wants judges with “chemistry,” not pop-culture fame. “Idol” has the additional problem of its audience growing older. Its average viewer was 48 last year, compared to 34 when the show started. Still, Fox Entertainment Chairman Kevin Reilly has repeatedly pointed out that even if it has declined from its peak,“Idol” is still a huge moneymaker for the network. Kantar Media, a TV industry analysis firm, says the show drew $836 million in ad revenue last year, soaring well above almost everything else on television.