American Idol Will Be Back in 2018

ABC announced on Tuesday, May 9th, that they will be bringing “American Idol” back to TV in 2018. The popular singing contest was a staple on Fox from 2002 until it ended on April 7, 2016. One singer became the American Idol in each of its 15 seasons. The 15 winners were: Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery, Phillip Phillips, Candice Glover, Caleb Johnson, Nick Fradiani, and Trent Harmon.

Many who made it to the Top 10 benefited in other ways, such as participating in the Idol tour. Clay Aiken, Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry and Katherine McPhee are among the contestants who gained further recognition post-Idol, even though they did not win.

Variety reports that Ryan Seacrest is in “advanced talks” to return as the host. Although Seacrest’s camp did not confirm that, “Idol” creator Simon Fuller told them: “There would be no ‘American Idol’ without Ryan Seacrest.” Fuller, however, is not involved in the new production so that’s just his opinion.

Many people felt that there would be no “American Idol” without original hosts Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, but there was. In fact, E! Online has a whole list of things they hope won’t be returning with the show.

Two of them involve the judges: They don’t want to see people on the judging panel that don’t get along, specifically naming Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj; and they don’t want to see the judges outshining the contestant. To that we would add, don’t decide who you want the winner to be and then have the judges influence the voters by praising and promoting that contestant. Let the voters really decide. We’re so serious. That is the reason we stopped watching Idol.