Mia Michaels In Talks To Replace Mary Murphy On SYTYCD
Jul. 10 2012, Published 4:00 a.m. ET
Reality star Mary Murphy is not only facing a million dollar lawsuit, but she’s also confronting the possibility of losing her plum primetime gig, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.
The So You Think You Can Dance star could be replaced by popular former judge Mia Michaels, who left the dance competition three years ago after a five-year run to pursue other projects.
“Executives are going over options because they’re furious that Mary has allowed a minor legal dispute to derail the success of the show,” a source close to the production tells RadarOnline.com.
As previously reported, Murphy is being sued by her longtime former manager Michael Sanchez for breach of written and oral contract for more than $1 million in unpaid commissions and damages. In court docs, Sanchez even went so far as to make bombshell allegations including labeling the 54-year-old former dance champ a "desperate, cocaine-fueled nymphomaniac.”
When the show premiered its ninth season it was its most-watched premiere in four years with 9.1 million viewers. But since then, the show has plummeted dramatically in the ratings, hitting a record low with 5 million viewers on June 28 -- down 20 percent from the previous week.
“Behind the scenes, they have talked about what to do, and Mia replacing Mary is plan B if the struggling show gets another season,” says the source.
Michaels previously replaced Murphy as judge during the 2010 season and even made a surprise return as a guest choreographer on last week’s June 27 episode.
“They blame most of the show’s viewership decline on the Murphy scandal and have discussed dumping Murphy if she doesn’t clean up her mess,” adds the source.
In the lawsuit filed by her ex-manager in May, Sanchez shed some light on a Mia-Mary feud, claiming Murphy even expressed a “bitter jealousy” of Michaels.
“Mary was freaking out when she heard Mia was coming back to the show this season,” says the source. “And if the show doesn’t get cancelled, Mia will definitely be coming back in 2013.”
RELATED STORIES:
John Travolta Sex Scandal: Gloria Allred Informs Actor's Attorney She’s Weighing Legal Options
Man Files Complaint Against Sylvester Stallone's Sister; Claims She Was Sexually Abused By Family Member
Gloria Allred Representing Woman Who Claims She Was Fired For Being Too Hot
Third Masseur Comes Forward Claiming John Travolta Sexually Assaulted Him