With the loss of celebrity judges Stephen Tyler and Jennifer Lopez for the next season of “American Idol”, the show’s producers are rumored to be floundering for a way to draw in viewers. Because, you know, they can’t rely on the actual focus of the show to do that.

At any rate, the big question of late has been, “Who will they get?” It has been answered and swiftly put to rest by Nick Cannon, host of “America’s Got Talent” and husband to iconic songstress and sometime-crazy-person Mariah Carey, who shot down the rumor that she would be filling in for J-Lo next season.

“I don’t know if they can afford a Mariah Carey,” Nick said. “If they gave J.Lo $20 million, they might have to double that.”

Of course, Mariah is also juggling being a mom and promoting her new album, so money isn’t the entire motivator…although $40 mil to sit and watch people sing ain’t a half bad gig.