Just when you thought it was safe to tune back in next season.

Contrary to many rumors flying around about the release of all of the judges from American Idol, the FOX chairman of entertainment, Kevin Reilly, made his official statement regarding the job statuses of Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban and their participation for next year’s competition.

According to him, an official decision hasn’t been made just yet — but the three are all invited to return, minus Randy Jackson who officially quit last week.

“Everything at this point is on the table, and we’ll talk about that starting Friday”, he said. He did however confirm that Jackson would be departing and expressed that there was “no ill will whatsoever” regarding his decision to do so.

“Our next season begins Friday morning after our finale, and that’s when we’re really gonna go to work in earnest,” he shared. “Because the format, more than anything, will have a few fresh twists next year, which we’ve already identified that I think will be a nice little jolt for next season.”

The only change that will possibly come for Idol’s 12th season is that the show may return to its format of having only three judges, as opposed to the four that began back in 2009.

Also confirmed was the return of the hit series 24. The Kiefer Sutherland headed action series ended back in 2010 and is set to return for a special 12-episode continuation entitled 24: Live Another Day. That will premiere next May.

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There are no winners over at American Idol — at least not on the judging panel.

A source tied to the show says Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban are “definitely gone” from the show after this season. Fellow judge Randy Jackson has confirmed that he’ll also be leaving the show following the finale, which means the music competition will see four new faces at the panel for it’s 12th season.

With the many dramatics that have followed since it began earlier this year (including a major one before the show even began airing), many people decided to tune out from the once prominent FOX hit, with ratings sinking to an all-time low.

The lineup for the channel’s Fall season will come on Monday during the upfronts for the network, with the official announcement of the release of the four to be made then.

The show’s host, Ryan Seacrest, is the only returning factor for the series in his hosting duties.

The show’s twelfth season finale will air this coming Thursday with an appearance from former judge, Jennifer Lopez.

via Instagram

With all of the constant mess, the world is probably hoping the rumors are true that Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj are being replaced for next season’s American Idol.

The drama between the two music superstars is still going strong and it was never more evident than last Wednesday’s telecast.

The top four singers still in the competition had to, at one point, sing songs that were currently on the Billboard 100 chart. While Mimi was giving her critique, Nicki for some reason, decided to interject and interrupt the “Beautiful” singer — which caused Mariah to throw a little shade, mentioning that it was “difficult” for some other artists to have a #1 single on that chart.

Rude, yes. But Nicki probably had it coming.

Nicki had a couple of moments going back at her on the show as well, including pulling out a Q-Tip and telling Mariah to clean out her ears following a particular performance.

Done and done, right?

But since she can never let sleeping dogs lie, the “Pink Friday” girl took her antics to Twitter and attempted to bring down the diva a couple of more pegs.

“Why a woman SO successful at her age, is still so INSECURE, and bitter”, she ranted.

Then, she got dirty.

“All dem #1s but JLo phone ringin? Lol. I guess having a personality, being a secure woman, and giving genuine critique still trumps that.”

They’re not even trying to hide the bad dealings behind the scenes at American Idol anymore.

Continuing on the heels of the possible replacement of Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj at the judges’ panel, crooner Harry Connick Jr. admitted that he was approached about possibly taking over for next season, when he sat in as a special guest last week.

“You know, they kinda wanted to know if I would be interested in it”, he said to E! News.

Turns out it’s not the first time he was asked to do it: Idol execs originally approached the 45-year-old to join the team two years ago.

“The last time I was here, I was so flattered that they were kind of talking about it,” he said. “And it didn’t work out. There were a lot of things going on on their side and a lot of things going on on my side with just stuff. It’s hard to make a commitment like that.”

Considering the way they treat their judges now, I would think he’d turn them down again. He’s probably much better off.

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Someone’s not going to be too thrilled about this somewhat “triumphant” return.

Seems like the rumors a couple of weeks ago were true: Jennifer Lopez is set to make a return to American Idol this season; the singer/actress is set to appear on the struggling FOX singing competition for this season’s finale, although it’s not certain whether it will be on May 15 or 16 (the finale is usually in two parts).

It is also uncertain whether or not she will be singing (she has nothing new musically or movie wise to promote), but it comes on the heels of rumors that she would be replacing replace Mariah Carey or Nicki Minaj  — or both — when the show returns in 2014.

Comments to Jennifer’s rep on whether she would be actually performing weren’t returned.

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