'American Idol' Season 13 News Update: Production Crew & Staff Looking for New Jobs Due to Show's Ratings [Rumor]

By Staff Reporter (media@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Apr 15, 2014 08:56 AM EDT

Tags AMERICAN IDOL, jennifer lopez, Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, randy jackson, The Voice, Chase Carey

A source claims that the show is allegedly sinking, leaving "American Idol" production crew and staff in a frantic search for new jobs.

"The crew and staff on 'Idol' are not new to the industry and have been around the block before. They know a sinking ship when they see one," a source told Radar Online.

"Anyone smart working on the show has already put out feelers for a new gig. The show is on its way out, and they don't want to be dragged down with it," the unnamed source added.

Wet Paint says that the show's plummeting ratings might be the culprit. Zap2it has detailed "American Idol" Season 13's seriously low number of viewers in a February report, saying "On FOX, a special Tuesday episode of 'American Idol' scored a 2.7 down 10 percent from last Thursday's 3.0 adults 18-49 rating."

Radar Online's source speculates that NBC's "The Voice" might be one of the main reasons for the low ratings. "They just can't compete with 'The Voice.' They have likable judges and talented contestants. 'Idol' got too showy and lost sight of what the show was really there to accomplish," Radar Online's source remarked.

In addition, the source spilled that the judges of "American Idol" also contributed to the alleged impending demise. "All the judging changes and feuds have really hurt the show," the source for Radar Online shared.

"American Idol" has gone through 11 judges all in all, from the very 1^st season up to the current 13^th season. The longest judge on the show ever is Randy Jackson, spanning 12 seasons from Season 1 to 12. Simon Cowell comes in next, leaving the show by the 9^th season while Paula Abdul bid goodbye a bit earlier on Season 8. The judges for "American Idol" Season 13 are Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr.

It isn't clear if "American Idol" is truly on its way to shutting down as rumors say. However, 21st Century Fox President Chase Carey reportedly said that the show is "winding down" and is in a "transition period," reports Wet Paint.