Michael Becker / FOXAmerican Idol might make a big move to the Big Apple.
Fox is currently mulling the idea of bringing Idol's season 13 finale to New York City for the first time, a source who works on the show confirms to E! News. "They are considering NYC for the finale and Madison Square Garden, but no deal in place yet," our souce reveals. The finale is set to air May 20 and 21 on Fox.
Since its seventh season, the American Idol finale has been held at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. The Hollywood Reporter first reported on the potential finale change.
This change is just one of many for the long-running singing competition. After season 12, Idol got a new executive producer—Swedish Idol boss Per Blankens—and switched up its judging panel. Only Keith Urban returned from season 12, and Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson left the panel. Idol brought back former judge Jennifer Lopez and added Harry Connick Jr., who had previously served as a guest mentor, to the panel.
Additionally, Jimmy Iovine is out as Idol mentor and longtime judge Jackson is set to take his place. Idol is also trimming its results show to 30 minutes. Blankens wants to do things the show "has never done before" per our insider.
"The judges have been responding really well to the new direction of the show and legitimately getting along," the show source tells us. "No Mariah-Nicki awfulness and the whole crew is relieved. It's a fun place to work again. Everyone was miserable last season. Some of the best people almost quit."
American Idol airs on Wednesdays and Thursdays this winter on Fox, making its debut on Wednesday, Jan. 15 and Thursday, Jan. 16.