ABC Brings Back ‘American Idol’ After 2-Year Break

By
Allison Leslie
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After a two-year break from television American Idol is making a comeback but on a new network.

ABC has announced it is resurrecting the singing competition from the dead after the show set rating records during its 15-year run on Fox. ABC is a Disney-owned network and confirmed the news early Tuesday morning.

While no further details have been released about the comeback it appears the show will return on Sunday nights next spring with a shortened season. When it comes to judges and hosting it is very unclear if the original gang will return with the show.

Ryan Seacrest just joined the Disney family last week. He was introduced as the new co-host on Live with Kelly! but TMZ reported that Seacrest “seems interested” in rejoining the show. However, during Live! on Monday the co-host said, “I don’t know if I can host it.”

Photo: Matt Sayles/Invision/AP

His uncertainty might have something to do with the travel back and forth. If American Idol stays in Los Angeles the Seacrest would have to fly back and forth each week during the live Idol shows. Live! is taped in New York.

As for the judges, original critic Simon Cowell left the show before Fox canceled it. He is the executive producer and judge on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. NBC also has the previous judge Jennifer Lopez. She has a deal with the network to produce and star in World of Dance, which premieres on May 30. She is also a leading star in the network drama Shades of Blue.

Photo: Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File

American Idol had major success for eight seasons peaking in its fifth, which averaged more than 30 million viewers and 36 million for its May performance finale. By the end of its run the show’s expenses were rising and the crowd was diminishing. In 2015 the show came to an end as NBC’s The Voice steadily passed it in ratings.

And it seems Twitter still agrees with Fox’s decision to cancel the show.

 

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