I always blamed FV's seeming disinterest in Lucky, Brenda, etc. in wanting to keep control of a show where popular longtime stars that pre-dated him would upset his balance of personal favorites and mediocre longtimers. (I still think that's a factor, and I def think it's personal with VM.) But the story that's circulated recently alleges that FV supposedly held out for both Jonathan and JMB for Lucky and Lulu for a very long time instead of recasting, and I've heard it enough now that I tend to believe it's true.
That being said I wouldn't be shocked if he turned out to be the dog that caught the car with JJ - as in, waiting for Jonathan was a convenient excuse for years until the ratings plummeted and someone had to take pushing for it seriously.