New ‘Idol’ judges on tap

Associated Press

An otter snacks on a “fishsicle” at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, N.J.

Associated Press

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.

Here come the new judges on “American Idol,” maybe.

With Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres out of Fox’s hit singing contest, the network may announce their replacements to the Television Critics Association.

Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler were the reported front-runners for the vacancies.

The fate of judge Kara DioGuardi remained uncertain. If she’s out and the two newcomers join Randy Jackson, the show would be back to its original three-judge panel.

Auditions for the new season that starts in January are in progress. The revamp comes after a season in which ratings dipped, but not enough to knock “American Idol” from the No. 1 spot.