'American Idol' Wants Scooter Braun to Finger Next Kelly Clarkson

Some of the honchos at "American Idol" -- and Jennifer Lopez -- have been aggressively courting super-manager Scooter Braun because their research shows people don't care about the judges -- they want to watch the birth of the next big star.

Sources connected with the show tell us ... "A.I." execs believe the show has lost its way by sinking their fortunes on the judges. The research is clear -- viewers want to see the next Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood emerge from the pack.

The execs believe there is no one in music better to accomplish that task than Scooter Braun, who built careers for Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen, The Wanted, and many others. BTW, they're right. Braun's a genius.

But here's the rub ... Sources very close to Scooter tell TMZ ... he's flattered but has lots of doubts about doing the show. One of the biggest -- he's saying he likes being able "to go to the grocery store under the radar."

We're told the only way Scooter would even consider doing the show is if he could have management control of any contestant he chooses -- even the ones who don't win.