“Idol” worship is coming to an end.
“American Idol,” the most successful TV show of the 21st century and the birthplace of stars like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, will end after its 15th season in spring 2016, the Fox network announced Monday.
“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Fox Television Co-Chairman and CEO Gary Newman said Monday morning. “We talked with the producers and we all agreed it was time to bring it to an end.”
While “Idol” suffered a precipitous ratings drop the last few years, it has remained a contemporary television touchstone.
It revolutionized the long-standing genre of talent shows by focusing on the invidual dramas of the contestants and introducing judges with attitude — particularly Simon Cowell, whose departure before Season 10 signaled to many fans the symbolic end of the original show.
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| Judges Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr. watch contestants perform |
“Idol” burst onto the air in June 2002 and was an immediate smash, drawing more than 20 million viewers.
By 2006 and 2007 its audience reached a staggering 36 million viewers an episode, reviving the whole concept of water-cooler television. In all, it ruled as the No. 1 show on television for eight seasons.
“Idol” was also one of the first shows to enhance its buzz through social media.
Its ratings had plunged dramatically in recent years as it produced fewer successful performers and the starpower focus shifted toward celebrity judges like Jennifer Lopez, Ellen DeGeneres, Steven Tyler, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey.
Fox Television Co-Chairman and CEO Dana Walden said there has been “a lot of enthusiasm” among former contestants and judges to come back and help celebrate the final season.
While other shows like “The Voice” and Fox’s own short-lived “X Factor” have taken a bite of the talent-show audience, the “Idol” producers have always said “Idol” did one thing the others did not.
“This is the only show that has produced stars,” long-time judge Randy Jackson said when he left last year. “And that’s what the game is about.”
That list has also included Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard, Adam Lambert and Fantasia.
While the end of “Idol” takes Fox out of the talent show game, following the cancellation of Cowell’s ill-fated “X Factor,” Newman said Monday that Fox wasn’t closing the door on a future return.
“We would need to reinvent the performance show,” he said, echoing a widespread TV industry sentiment that the genre has an oversaturation problem. “But that’s a challenge we would welcome if we had a great idea.”
By 2006 and 2007 its audience reached a staggering 36 million viewers an episode, reviving the whole concept of water-cooler television. In all, it ruled as the No. 1 show on television for eight seasons.
“Idol” was also one of the first shows to enhance its buzz through social media.
Its ratings had plunged dramatically in recent years as it produced fewer successful performers and the starpower focus shifted toward celebrity judges like Jennifer Lopez, Ellen DeGeneres, Steven Tyler, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey.
Fox Television Co-Chairman and CEO Dana Walden said there has been “a lot of enthusiasm” among former contestants and judges to come back and help celebrate the final season.
While other shows like “The Voice” and Fox’s own short-lived “X Factor” have taken a bite of the talent-show audience, the “Idol” producers have always said “Idol” did one thing the others did not.
“This is the only show that has produced stars,” long-time judge Randy Jackson said when he left last year. “And that’s what the game is about.”
That list has also included Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard, Adam Lambert and Fantasia.
While the end of “Idol” takes Fox out of the talent show game, following the cancellation of Cowell’s ill-fated “X Factor,” Newman said Monday that Fox wasn’t closing the door on a future return.
“We would need to reinvent the performance show,” he said, echoing a widespread TV industry sentiment that the genre has an oversaturation problem. “But that’s a challenge we would welcome if we had a great idea.”
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