JT? Elton John? Nigel Returning?

So let’s kick off my return with the latest rumors on who will replace Simon Cowell…

Last week, Harry Connick Jr. and Chris Isaak rose to the top of the list. But today, “The Hollywood Reporter” is adding Justin Timberlake and Elton John to the list.

But that’s not all…

“Reporter” is also saying that Nigel Lythgoe is going to return as Executive Producer. As you may recall, he said in April that if he was still in charge at “Idol,” he would get rid of the entire judges’ panel. So if the story is true, everyone could be in trouble.

Ellen DeGeneres has a multi-year contract and Randy Jackson has one more year on his deal, but it wouldn’t be totally out of the question for FOX to buy those contracts out.

As crazy as Nigel would drive me sometimes (Remember the Syesha debacle from three years ago?), I have to admit that the show has missed him. And it’s a possibility that he could join the panel as well. He’s no Simon, but if he gets rid of Kara, he could be my new hero…

What do you guys think?

Photo Credit: Mathieu Young/FOX