Producers were planning to replace Mariah Carey in American Idol after she failed to attract audience to watch the show. The Fox network talent programme has reportedly reached out to its former judge Jennifer Lopez to replace Carey and save them from lukewarm ratings, but backed out of their plan when the We Belong Together singer threatened to sue the show.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the producers of the show were dismayed at the relatively mediocre rating of the 12th season despite shelling out US$18 million for Carey's fee. So they came up with a plan to replace her with Lopez, who sat in the judges' panel with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and resident judge Randy Jackson.

The producers possibly wanted to search for replacements for the entire jury of the current season as well, which includes rapper and Carey's nemesis on the show, Nicki Minaj, country music star Keith Urban, and Jackson.

Although the start of the season in January was strong enough for the show, the ratings dropped significantly in the subsequent months. The current ratings are half of what the show used to receive during its heyday.

However, Carey found out about the plan, and promptly threatened legal action against the producers. The swapping plot involving Carey was abandoned as a result, but the producers are apparently still negotiating with Lopez to appear on the show's finale in May.

"This is just another ridiculous Idol judge rumour, likely started by talks of Jennifer performing on the finale," a Fox spokeswoman told THR in a statement.

Producer Nigel Lythgoe also slammed the report, saying, "I have not been included in any conversation regarding replacing Mariah with Jen this season.

"American Idol" is scheduled to air its final episode for the season on May 16 in the U.S.