New Producers Talk Changes for Next Season of AMERICAN IDOL

MTV veterans Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager will soon take on producing duties for the upcoming 12th season of FOX's AMERICAN IDOL. The duo will replace long-time executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick, who helmed last season's show, known more for its dismal ratings than the talented contestants who competed.

Today, Ignjatovic and Prager spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about their plans to revive the 12-year-old former juggernaut.

Asked what the biggest challenges they face will be, Ignjatovic replied, "Checking yourself that you're not coming in and trying to change everything for the sake of making changes. It's still such a strong viable format -- it's the original. It's more about playing your position and knowing your role. Maybe some areas can be reinvented or reimagined, but the show works."

Adds Prager "Everyone [who works on Idol] loves and believes in this show. A lot of people have been here since day one. There's no question that it's about making sure the best product is getting out there and that [means having] the best contestants. They are the stars of the show and that's very much a unified effort here."

Do the new execs have favorite former Idols? "It's probably Adam Lambert for me," shares Ignjatovic. "I just love how he would re-imagine or recreate the songs and take the music to a different place. It goes without saying that he's a very talented performer and vocalist and such a likable guy. His work with the Idol team to stage different looking performances, that connected with me. I remember I couldn't stop talking about him that season.

Asked if Lambert could be a possible candidate to fill the vacant judge's seats left by Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson and Mariah Carey, Prager teases, "We all know having watched the show that he is really beloved. As far as him being considered as a judge, you've heard just as many names thrown out there as we have, but I think that he is obviously a big part of the show and getting him on there is always great."

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