News: Report: Idol Planned to Replace Mariah Carey With Jennifer Lopez Seattle Post-Intelligencer Copyright 2013 Seattle Post-Intelligencer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 8:19 am, Wednesday, April 24, 2013 According to The Hollywood Reporter, Idol producers and Fox executives wanted to replace Carey with Lopez in order to "jump-start" the falling ratings. Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe additionally told THR, "I have not been included in any conversation regarding replacing Mariah with Jen this season."