'American Idol' Season 13: Executive Producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick Follow Judges, Leave Show, Fox In Talks With Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert

The dark cloud that hangs over season 13 of American Idol continues to grow. After the exodus of judges, it appears long-time producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick will not be returning for the next season of the singing competition.

It's unclear whether the duo were fired (as HuffPo reports) or simply left (as The Hollywood Reporter says). However, what is known is that they have joined the ranks of Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson in abandoning the struggling program.

THR reports the move was expected after a shockingly low-rated season finale. The season 12 finale was the least watched in the show's history.

Lythgoe and Warwick have been a part of American Idol from jump. They started with the show in its first season in 2002, and also were major players on Britain's Pop Idol on which American Idol is based.

Ryan Seacrest and Keith Urban are the only remaining on-camera talents that have yet to leave the show (though Urban is expected to bow out). According to Idolator, FOX is adding Jennifer Hudson to the judge's panel and is in talks with Adam Lambert and Kelly Clarkson, to give next year's panel a homegrown flavor.

What do you think? Is Idol in a death spiral? Or will the changes made before season 13 help restore it to its former glory?

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