American Idol cancellation explained by Fox chiefs: ‘It was not an easy decision’
While early, Dana Walden says there’s “a lot of enthusiasm’’ around former judges and contestants appearing on Season 15.
Fox revealed earlier on Monday morning that American Idol would be returning for one last gasp next year, coming to a conclusion with its 15th season. On a subsequent conference call, Fox TV Group Co-Chairman and CEO Gary Newman assured reporters that the call was a tough one.
“It was not an easy decision,’’ he explained, calling Idol a “vital part’’ of Fox’s success over the past decade-plus.
Because of how much the singing show means to the network, Newman is pleased with how it is coming to an end in advance, as opposed to a more harsh sudden cancelation.
“We really wanted to do it in a way that felt special and celebratory,’’ he explained, adding that they never really considered moving it back to summer. “The right way to send this show out is … in the time period it’s had for the last few years.’’
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Newman’s counterpart Dana Walden added that there is “a lot of enthusiasm’’ around former judges and contestants making appearances next year, though it’s too early for any announcements.
“We’d welcome any of them back,’’ she said of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. She and Newman are currently having conversations with producers about anything that would be “celebratory [or] nostalgic.’’
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However, detailed conversations with production companies Fremantle and 19 Television about future of the brand and franchise have yet to take place.
“That story remains to be written,’’ Newman said.
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The executives also elaborated on Idol’s structure for its 15th and final season.
The show will have a similar structure to its current run, beginning with separate performance and results shows on Wednesdays and Thursdays in January, eventually moving to a Thursday standalone combined show.
All that said, Newman insisted that he “wouldn’t ever make the proclamation’’ that Fox is out of the singing competition business, despite how Idol’s conclusion comes not that long after X Factor limped off.
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