A new report alleges that American Idol had a secret plan to oust Mariah Carey and replace her with former judge Jennifer Lopez.

Mariah Carey joined American Idol this season to much fanfare but a new report says that the show hatched a secret plot to replace her with former judge, Jennifer Lopez.

An anonymous source was cited by The Hollywood Reporter who said that the brass of American Idol went into panic mode after the ratings fell to their lowest point in years. A recent showing garnered less than 8 million views which is a steep from their previous 18 million plus audience. Furthermore, the most recent Wednesday performance shows averaged a 4.3 rating with adults 18-49, its worst performance since its debut in 2001.

The report alleged that the producers were not impressed with what they perceived to be Carey's lackluster judging.

"Despite her eight-figure salary, she has seemed passive and disengaged in her comments on the show, failing to generate the kind of fan following that Lopez had when she judged," the report said.

Producers and Fox executives wanted to reboot the show by luring back Lopez who was a judge on the show for two seasons. However, those efforts where abandoned when Carey's camp threatened a lawsuit.

The threat of litigation has not stopped the show from trying to negotiate a deal to bring back Lopez for the finale in May. In addition to Carey's possible exit, the entire lineup may be a distant memory as well.

"Insiders say a search already has begun to replace Carey, most likely Nicki Minaj and possibly the entire judge's panel for next season," the report said.

Fox denied that there was any friction behind the scenes in a statement.

"This is just another ridiculous Idol judge rumor, likely started by talks of Jennifer performing on the finale," a Fox spokeswoman said.

A rep for Carey also denied the allegations and Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe went on the record to deny any involvement in a cast shakeup.

"I have not been included in any conversation regarding replacing Mariah with Jen this season," he said.

The current season has been fraught with tension from the start as a feud between Carey and Minaj became very public. The rapper was caught on camera cursing at the multiple Grammy winner. It was even alleged that Minaj threatened to harm the pop veteran by shooting her.

As the most outspoken judge this season, Minaj has gained her share of fans and detractors who have been put off by her demeanor.

"The core viewer is a midwestern, Southern, older woman who is threatened by Nicki's aggressiveness," a source said.