American Idol still wants Elton John above all others as judge

[HMG] – In the last few weeks everyone from Steven Tyler and Howard Stern, to Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey has been rumored to be the new judge on American Idol. But the show’s Exec Producer, Nigel Lythgoe still has a dream – Elton John.

“I must say, I really do love Elton John. He’s a huge favorite of mine,” Lythgoe told Deadline.

But unlike his rivals, Elton’s a star and his schedule [plus a double-digit IQ] is a major block to him taking the job, Nigel tells says. But the suits at the show have a plan to persuade him to play;

“It depends on whether [he] wants to give back,” says Lythgoe.

All the folks running the show have wanted Elton as a judge ever since Ellen bowed out, but his touring schedule has blocked any serious talks. He’s also demanding a fee that is way out of their range.

And Lythgoe, 61, blames Simon Cowell for causing Ellen to quit – thus creating this whole, stupid mess;

“I’m sorry she’s gone, to be honest,” he says candidly. “I think there’s a place for Ellen on Idol as the voice of the people, and she wasn’t given a fair opportunity. There was also no chemistry between her and the rest of the judges, but that wasn’t her fault; She was misused.”

On July 29, 2010, Ellen issued a statement that said her role as a Judge “didn’t feel like the right fit for me.” She also asked the suits at Fox to release her from her contract, which still had a year to run. And sadly, they did.

Since then the search for her replacement has been one endless PR-spun bun-fight. And there’s still no decision.

So if Ellen’s gone and Elton won’t play, who would you pick for the job?…