Rather than wait until live production can return, ABC has decided to keep “American Idol” going by holding its first ever “remote” episodes in lieu of traditional live shows.
The reality competition show was unable to continue production last month due to the pandemic after shooting the top 21 in Hawaii in January.
"Idol" aired its last new episode Sunday, April 5. The producers then created two clip shows mixing fresh and recycled material highlighting each contestant, the first of which aired this past Sunday. The next will air this coming Sunday, where the results of who between Lauren Mascitti and Grace Leer makes the top 20 will be revealed.
On Sunday, April 26, "American Idol" will feature the show's 20 finalists competing via remote video. Judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, along with host Ryan Seacrest and in-house mentor Bobby Bones will appear from their homes.
How this will work from a technical and logistical standpoint has not been detailed, but America will get to vote like normal.
This is clearly not an idyllic situation for a show that thrives on audience connection and high-end stage performances. Instead, the singers will be performing from their homes without a live band or audience feedback.
Unfortunately, the other option of delaying the rest of the season until some time later in the year (or beyond) seemed less palatable.
The “Idol” season will air three more episodes after April 26, ending May 17. So the top 20 will quickly shrink to a much smaller number over that span.
It’s likely both “The Voice” and “America’s Got Talent” will have to make similar moves to keep their respective shows going. “The Voice” is currently airing its pre-taped “Knockout” rounds. “AGT’ is accepting video auditions for its summer season.
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Credit: Gavin Bond
Credit: Gavin Bond
Ryan Seacrest, the Dunwoody High School graduate and "Idol" host, donated $1 million to help with relief efforts in New York and Los Angeles amid the ongoing pandemic, including $750,000 earmarked for first responders in New York.
"New York and Los Angeles are very special places to me and so I wanted to do something in the immediate to give back in these unprecedented times," Seacrest told People.com.
He will also be hosting ABCs Disney Sing a Long special Thursday night featuring artists singing their favorite Disney hits. Among those expected to appear: Christina Aguilera, Erin Andrews, Bobby Bones, Michael Bublé, Kristin Chenoweth, Luke Evans, Jordan Fisher, Josh Gad, Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Little Big Town, Kenny Ortega, Donny Osmond, Thomas Rhett, Amber Riley and John Stamos.
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The top three "Idol" contestants so far are Just Sam, Arthur Gunn and Francisco Martin, according to a survey of readers of MJ's Big Blog.
Jonesboro's own Cyniah Elise came in 17th place.
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Kelly Clarkson plays Delta Dawn, the head of the country Trolls in the film "Trolls World Tour," which came out April 10.
Here she is singing her song from the movie “Just Sing.”
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