Jessica Simpson latest star involved in 'American Idol' talks, reports say

07/28/2010 by Corinne Heller

Jessica Simpson is the latest celebrity said to be involved in talks to possibly replace Simon Cowell as a judge on American Idol, joining several other candidates on what appears to be a growing list, reports say.

"Jessica has been approached about American Idol but nothing has been confirmed yet on either end," a source close to Simpson told TODAYshow.com recently.

The pop singer, the show's network FOX and production company 19 Entertainment have not commented. American Idol returns for season 10 in January.

"Im not sure whether her people approached Idol, or if it was the other way around," a source close to the show told Entertainment Weekly, adding that Simpson is just one of "dozens" of candidates whove been considered for the job.

Chris Isaak, singer of the 1989 ballad "Wicked Game", is also reportedly in in talks to replace Cowell, while rocker Bret Michaels is no longer in the running. Harry Connick Jr has also reportedly been considered for the job.

Justin Timberlake and Elton John's representatives had earlier denied reports that the singers were involved in negotiations to replace Cowell, who left the show after the end of the ninth season in May.

FOX is also said to be nearing a deal to bring executive producer Nigel Lythgoe back, in a move that could spell trouble for the remaining three judges.

Auditions for American Idol's tenth season began earlier this month. The minimum age eligibility of contestants has been lowered from 16 to 15, while the maximum age stands at 28. The last venue to audition for the show is in San Francisco on August 19 and the series is set to air in January.

Cowell has said he began to become bored with American Idol about two years ago and is set to launch in the fall of 2011 a new show, X Factor - the U.S. version of a talent competition series he judged and developed in the United Kingdom.

The ratings for the American Idol finale in May were the lowest recorded among its season ending episodes. General ratings for American Idol have more than tripled since the series debuted in 2002 but have declined slowly during the past few years. Peak ratings were recorded in about 2006, or the fifth season.