'American Idol' to end next year
NEW YORK — Fox is lowering the curtain on “American Idol,” ending a series that dominated television throughout the 2000s and made stars of the likes of Simon Cowell, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
The network announced Monday that “American Idol” will end after its 15th season next spring. The cast from the past few seasons, with Ryan Seacrest as host and Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. as judges, will return for a season-long celebration of the show’s history.
“It was not an easy decision. ‘American Idol’ has been such a vital part of Fox for its run,” said Gary Newman, Fox Television Group co-chairman and CEO. He promised a season-long celebration that matches the show’s significance, with the suggestion its big-name contestants and past judges may be involved.
“American Idol” faded over the past few years, eclipsed in the music competition genre it pioneered by NBC’s “The Voice.” Personnel changes didn’t help, and neither did tinkering with the format, as the show fell victim to what usually kills off most television series — old age. Still, it was a solid performer for a Fox network that struggles in the ratings.
Dana Walden, co-chairman and CEO of the Fox Television Group, described it as a “pretty emotional decision” to end the show.
Fox and the show’s producers were discussing how the series would continue, but ultimately “we all arrived at the conclusion that it was time to bring the show to an end,” said Newman. “But we wanted to do it in a way that was special and celebratory.”
“Idol” was a quick hit, with fans following contestants who sought the prized “yellow ticket” to Hollywood and a chance at stardom. In the early years, “American Idol” also showed many of the cringeworthy auditions of contestants with no hope of winning, but has generally resisted those recently.
