ABC revives American Idol

[ranger_scout]

Was the show really missed that much after a year? ABC certainly seems to think so. They even said FOX ended it way too soon. ABC has officially announced that they will revive American Idol for the 2017-18 season.

It’s official: ABC has revived American Idol — and is throwing some shade at Fox in the process.

The network has struck a deal to bring back the reality competition series next season, ABC confirmed Tuesday.

What’s more, ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey took a swipe at Fox for canceling the series in the first place, suggesting its rival misstepped by dumping the show prematurely.

“American Idol is a pop-culture staple that left the air too soon,” said Dungey. “ABC is the right home to reignite the fan base. We are thrilled viewers will once again share in these inspiring stories of people realizing their dreams.”

ABC doesn’t have a host or judges locked down yet for its edition of the show. But Disney co-chairman Ben Sherwood — in another line could be interpreted as a dig at their rival — said the new version would be an improvement upon Fox’s run.

“‘Idol is an entertainment icon, and now it will air where it belongs, in ABC’s lineup of addictive fan favorites alongside Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor,” he said. “America, get ready for the return of a bigger, bolder and better-than-ever Idol.”

http://ew.com/tv/2017/05/09/american-idol-abc-2/

Also, former EP Nigel Lythgoe said yesterday it's probably too soon to bring the show back, but he wishes them well.

http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/amer...on-1202419151/

[BubblyShell22]

Eh, I lost interest in it after a little while so I don't care about it coming back. I've got better things to watch and I don't watch anything on ABC anyway. However, I had a feeling it was coming back due to when Seacrest signed off and then said, "For now."

[ranger_scout]

ABC asked Simon Cowell to return to the show, but he has no interest in coming back at all.

http://ew.com/tv/2017/05/11/simon-co...n-idol-reboot/

[Wildcat]

Well I always knew it would return at some point. It was a given how popular it was but this was fast.

It's just odd that ABC thinks it went off too soon while throwing jabs at FOX. It was on for over 10 years and went through various judges.

It's fine to bring it back but it's funny how spiteful they're coming off.

[ssjup81]

I never knew it went away. ^^

[ranger_scout]

Chris Daughtry and Katy Perry are reportedly going to be a judges on the show. Daughtry would be interesting, but I'm not really Katy Perry's biggest fan.

http://www.billboard.com/articles/ne...kelly-clarkson

http://www.billboard.com/articles/ne...can-idol-judge

Also, here's what the ABC reality chief had to say about his plans for the reboot.

How did the Idol deal come together?

I have an incredibly close relationship with the people at Fremantle — especially [North America co-CEO] Jen Mullin. She called, maybe in January, but it sounded like there was going to be a bidding war. We sort of let it go, and it played itself out in the press. Randomly, on vacation, Ben ran into an agent who represents [Idol co-owner] CORE. By then, it was on moratorium with Fox and NBC, so Ben talked to Channing and me. Sometimes you have to look at something from a different angle to get really excited.

How did you pitch it to the producers?

Ben is looking at it not just from an ABC standpoint, but a Disney one. Our idea for Fremantle was to put Idol on in the spring, use the Oscars as a platform and launch it as this big return, around the same time it used to air. It was about showing them all of our platforms: We can have auditions in the parks; we can amplify, not just at ABC, but with Disney Channel and Freeform. There's a couple of different scenarios about the nights it will air — and, of course, there's the Ryan Seacrest of it all.

What's the latest there?

There has been some very early reaching out. He really wants to be as good as he was on it before, while now giving his all to Kelly & Ryan. I think he can do both; he thinks he can do both, but he's giving it some serious thought.

Can the show make money, or do you see it as a loss leader?

What you can't do is come back as bargain-basement Idol. We're going to make sure the talent is right, and we'll do what we have to [do to] make it bigger and better than ever. We want to use it as an asset base to launch scripted programming, like it did on Fox. If it returns at the levels it left, it's going to do really well for us.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...-plans-1003367

[BubblyShell22]

I like the idea of Chris Daughtry judging and I'm not against Katy Perry either.

[ranger_scout]

Katy Perry is official now.

http://ew.com/tv/2017/05/16/katy-perry-american-idol/

[ranger_scout]

Today marks the 15th anniversary of when the first episode of the series aired on television. So it makes sense that ABC and Katy Perry would announce the audition dates today.

West Bus Tour
Portland, OR – August 17
Oakland, CA – August 20
Provo, UT – August 23
Denver, CO – August 26
Omaha, NE – August 29
Tulsa, OK – September 1
Shreveport, LA – September 4
Muscle Shoals, AL – September 7

East Bus Tour
Orlando, FL – August 17
Miami, FL – August 19
Atlanta, GA – August 22
Charleston, SC – August 25
Asheville, NC – August 27
Louisville, KY – August 30
Pittsburgh, PA – September 3
Annapolis, MD – September 5
Boston, MA – September 8

Open Audition Cities
Chicago, IL – September 11
New Orleans, LA – September 14
(Locations and dates subject to change.)

http://www.justjared.com/2017/06/12/...ace-19-cities/

[ranger_scout]

Lionel Richie is being eyed to join the judge's panel. If this were to happen, he'd be the second guest-judge to become a full-time judge after Perry. He served as a guest judge during the top 8 Billboard #1s theme way back in season 2.

http://www.justjared.com/2017/06/19/...an-idol-judge/

[ranger_scout]

Ryan Seacrest will officially return as the host. He will also continue to co-host and executive produce “Live With Kelly and Ryan” from New York in addition to hosting and executive producing his iHeartRadio-syndicated morning radio show “On Air With Ryan Seacrest” from Los Angeles.

ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey said she attributes much of “American Idol’s” success to Seacrest.

“We are thrilled to be ushering in this new era of ‘American Idol’ with Ryan at the helm,” Dungey said. “So much of “American Idol’s” overwhelming success can be attributed to Ryan, whose larger-than- life personality and laudable dedication to creating quality entertainment has made him a true master of his craft. His talent is limitless, and I can’t think of a more appropriate person to honor the ‘Idol’ legacy as it takes on new life than the man who has been there through it all.”

Trish Kinane, president of Entertainment Programming, FremantleMedia North America, executive producer and showrunner of American Idol, said, “American Idol is back and already on the road searching to find the next generation of superstars. Idol has always been about the contestants and the music, and we couldn’t be more excited to start this next chapter – first with the incredibly talented new judge, Katy Perry, and now our own series icon, Ryan Seacrest. We’re delighted that he’s joining us and ABC as we set out to uncover the amazing talent America has to offer.”

“Idol wouldn’t be Idol without Ryan,” said Core Media Group CEO Peter Hurwitz. “He is a natural who has been there from the start, shines on live television and has dominated in every one of his professional endeavors. The show’s millions of devoted fans will be delighted to welcome him back to center stage on ABC.”

http://deadline.com/2017/07/ryan-sea...ol-1202131956/

[ranger_scout]

ABC is right now considering Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Charlie Puth as the latest additions to judges' panel. Richie seems the most likely join because he's an international favorite, Bryan would make sense given ABC's history with Country Music and Puth is seen as the least likely to join.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/liv...-panel-1024570

[ranger_scout]

Luke Bryan has reportedly been made an offer from ABC to join the judges' panel.

http://www.tmz.com/2017/09/02/luke-b...l-judge-offer/

[ranger_scout]

According to Variety, ABC has finally made a deal with Luke Bryan to join the judges' panel.

http://variety.com/2017/music/news/a...ge-1202569401/

[ranger_scout]

Lionel Richie has now joined Katy Perry and Luke Bryan on the judges' panel.

http://ew.com/tv/2017/09/29/american...richie-judges/

[ranger_scout]

ABC has announced the show will return on March 11, 2018. Also, here is a look at the judges panel.



http://ew.com/tv/2017/11/06/american...premiere-date/