The Katy Perry show: She is still the only judge to sign up for the American Idol reboot just weeks ahead of filming
There are just weeks to go before filming starts on its long-heralded reboot.
But American Idol could be approaching a crisis after it emerged show bosses have yet to sign up star judges to appear on the show alongside Katy Perry.
Up to four adjudicators are said to be needed to with just over a month to ahead of the start of filming.
But according to TMZ, such stellar names as Lionel Richie, Charlie Puth, Luke Bryan and even former show regular Keith Urban are no closer joining the programme than they were weeks ago.
And as the search continues to widen, legendary record producer Nile Rodgers, a musical mastermind who has worked with such giants as Duran Duran, Madonna and, perhaps most thrillingly of all, Wet Wet Wet is also a potential judge.
Producers are said to be particularly keen to sign up Hello star Lionel, however he is said to be demanding an eye-watering $10 million to take part, while they were hoping to land him for half of that.
Given his status as a legendary singer and songwriter however, it certainly looks a snip compared to the reported $25 million they are shovelling into California Gurls star Katy’s coffers.
Matters are further complicated by the fact they have still not even decided if they should have three or four judges.
Where’s the money? Legendary songwriter Lionel Ritchie is said to be holding out for $10M
Jewels for the Nile: It is unlikely legendary Wet Wet Wet producer Rodgers will come cheap
And while they are said to be keen to go with the traditional four, they may go lower if that is all they can land within their sizable budget.
Many people will surely feel, ahead of the much-touted comeback, that American Idol seems to have never went away.
And in a sense they are right – the show’s ‘farewell season’ only concluded in April last year.
Auditions for the new incarnation of the programme begin in Orlando on Thursday.
However the first batch of filmed auditions, where the show’s figurehead judges will be present, start at the end of September.
Phew: Thankfully the show’s uncommonly handsome host Ryan Seacrest will be on hand to carry the show on his powerful shoulders
Some farewell: The ‘last ever’ season of American Idol hit screens just a year ago