Now that Steven Tyler has officially announced that he will not be returning to Fox's TV American Idol next season and Jennifer Lopez has making very strong hints that she won't be returning either, the question is who will be the next judges?

No doubt the producers are looking for someone who will help boost the sagging ratings for the show. In fact this past season's finale posted the lowest ratings ever for a final episode of Idol.

Well according to media reports, Mariah Carey is the No. 1 pick to be a judge for next season and is currently in negotiations to join the show  According to one insider involved with the show: "She's in play. They are in serious talks"

Simon Cowell has previously twice before tried to get Carey as a judge for his The X Factor talent reality show.

However, according to Bloomberg News, Idol producers are also considering Mary J. Blige to join the show as a judge as well. If this is true then most likely Blige is probably a back-up choice in case the talks with Carey fall through. 

As for poor old Randy Jackson, the talk is that he will remain on the show, but will no longer be a judge, but will be moved to a new "mentoring" position on the show.