Another 'American Idol' Favorite Calls It Quits

There's bad news, and then there's really bad news. The bad news is that it's been reported that in-house musical advisor Jimmy Iovine is leaving American Idol . After joining the show in Season 10 to ostensibly add back the bite that was missing after Simon Cowell's departure, Iovine, a top music producer, brought some credibility to the show and after three seasons, he's out. Now for the really bad news: Randy Jackson might return to Idol to replace Iovine.

Jackson left the judges' panel after Season 11 and now, it would seem, he wants back in as a mentor. Guess it got too tiresome sitting behind the table giving overly positive, meaningless feedback, so it appears Jackson's hoping to do the same next season from a swivel stool in the recording studio. Great.

But he's not the only Idol alum looking to return for Season 13. Rumor has it that Jennifer Lopez will reclaim her judge's position since both Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey have not signed back on. Lopez will sit alongside Keith Urban and possibly Idol newcomer, Dr. Luke, who's a venerable music producer behind such hits as Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" and Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl."

Idol won't be the same without Iovine, and it's hard to know what we'll miss most about our favorite musical mentor: his take-no-shit attitude, or his transition lenses. He made them look cool, people, and that's impossible.

American Idol Season 13 returns to FOX on January 15, 2014.