Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Others May Join Lambert On 'Idol'

Adam Lambert may not be alone making himself at home on "American Idol" this fall. Producers have reportedly set their sights upon more than a few major names who could be offered seats alongside Lambert at the Fox judges' table.

Lambert, a previous runner-up finalist, made Monday-morning headlines when E! News reported that he might be joining the coming season as either a replacement judge or alongside whoever returns of current panel Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson. E! now claims sources behind the show's scenes have leaked Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Fergie, Will.I.Am and Katy Perry among the names producers are yet considering to also join the show.

It's hard to say whether .50-caliber star power will maintain the "Idol" edge over former judge Simon Cowell's "The X Factor," which this fall is bringing on board Britney Spears and Demi Lovato to join Cowell and Antonio "L.A." Reid. After all, it's not as though Ellen DeGeneres, Kara Dioguardi, or even the addition of Lopez and Tyler has made a significant difference one way or another.

Nevertheless, with none of the current trio having signed extensions yet and Lopez with one toned leg already out the door, one could certainly understand a sense of urgency. No Fox mouthpiece has said a word yet to E! addressing the rumors.

"No one has signed any contracts yet and producers are currently putting out feelers and setting up meetings to see who they can get," one supposed insider claims. "We don't know if Randy and Steven are returning until they see who else is on board."

Admittedly, there's time to spare - just not necessarily that much. Judges aren't needed during the current producer-judged rounds of auditions for Season 12, currently taking place in Chicago. There are three cities remaining after that.

Bottom line, though: you really can't polish a turd. And this one looks to be well on its way to stiffening in the sun. It's never exactly been easy to take the voting system seriously, the filler overrides anything special about the performances, and there are also enough substitutes out there to flood the market and spread talent thinner. It was one thing when "Idol" was the only show of its kind in the states. It becomes another entirely when "The X Factor" gives judges a stronger say in elimination, "The Voice" shakes up the concept with a new structure and focus on second-chance contestants, and "Idol" goes years without producing a significant success.

For "Idol" to truly reclaim its throne, the day needs to once more come when judges don't by default grab headlines from a lackluster actual competition.