Randy Jackson is the only judge frequent to "American Idol" after that time ... but that almost wasn't the case.
Sources lock to assembly tell TMZ there was "serious talk" of a spotless brush of the judge's panel ... but we're told Idol nerve required to stay a relation to the unique judge's table, so Randy was secured.
As we formerly reported, Simon Cowell left for "The X Factor," Ellen DeGeneres stepped down after one period and Kara DioGuardi was let go -- departure Randy as the only residual judge.
