Jessica Simpson & Jennifer Lopez For American Idol Job: Poor Jessica Simpson. After months and months of talks and meetings with the producers of 'American Idol,' Jennifer Lopez and her brilliant manager swooped in and stole the one job that could have put Jessica back on top. "You won't find many folks that like Jessica's movies or music, but who doesn't love watching Jessica on TV," an industry insider tells me. "She would be the perfect person to replace the void that Paula left. Jess is funny, caring and a total ditz. Just what the show needs to make America start caring again."

So how did Lopez end up with the job that everyone, including Jessica, thought was hers? Two words: her manager. Benny Medina, who has helped shape the careers of Mariah, Tyra Banks and P. Diddy, is one of the best in the business, and Jessica's dad/manager, papa Joe, certainly is no match.

"Benny dazzled the 'Idol' producers in his pitch of J.Lo, and how the power of his client could put Idol back on top," an 'Idol' source tells me. "This was literally music to 'Idol's' ears after seeing their show drop over 20 percent in the ratings in just one year."

All of this has left Jessica heartbroken, she has known for some time that she needs a Benny Medina-type manager to secure her the big opportunities when they come along, although as one source put it, "How do you fire your own dad?"