‘AMERICAN Idol” seems to be out to trip up “Dancing with the Stars” – intentionally extending next Tuesday’s show by seven minutes to compete head-to-head with the ABC talent contest.

Fox officials claim the move was made to accommodate performances from pop-powerhouse Gwen Stefani and all 10 remaining contestants, reports the Washington Post.

But the move, which shifts the ending of “Idol” from 9 p.m. to 9:07 p.m. will force fans of both shows to record one or the other.

ABC had taken pains to schedule “Dancing with the Stars” around “Idol.” Its entertainment chief, Stephen McPherson, even said last winter, “the great thing about this air schedule is that fans won’t have to choose between the two reality hits this spring.”

This Tuesday’s edition of the ABC dance competition is slated to be its first elimination show.

Last week’s debut of “Dancing” snared about 22 million viewers. It is unclear exactly how the overlap with “Idol” will affect the show, though whichever celebrity is cut – anyone from singer Joey Fatone to one-legged Beatle-basher, Heather Mills – will not be dumped until late in the episode.