Fox wants to stick with four.
The network’s entertainment chairman Peter Rice said he intends to find a replacement for Paula Abdul before live “American Idol” episodes begin airing next year. When Abdul abruptly announced she was quitting the show earlier this week, many assumed the network would revert to using three judges.
In the meantime, Fox will have guest judges each week during audition process, choosing female pop stars and performers to sit in for Abdul while “American Idol” tours cities seeking new contestants.
Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry are booked, with other guest judges to be announced soon. “Idol” begins shooting audition episodes this week in Denver.
