American Idol Reboot: Kelly Clarkson as Judge? FOX “Insane” Offer (Reports)(UPDATED)

American Idol seems destined to be back on our TV screens in 2018. Sources from new reports claim that the “framework” of a deal with ABC is set, but has yet to be signed. Executives are planning to announce the show’s revival at the advertiser Upfronts in New York City in two weeks, and is looking to air the show Sunday nights beginning March 2018.

Ryan Seacrest Could End Up Hosting American Idol Reboot (Report)
American Idol and ABC Close to Closing a Deal (But FOX still in the Mix)
ABC Makes Offer to American Idol. But Likely No Ryan Seacrest (Report)

ABC is hoping to not only bring back Ryan Seacrest as host, according to sources, but is considering original Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson as a judge. She’s set to appear on ABC’s Celebrity family feud this summer.

From Variety

ABC, which has yet to close the deal, had passed on “Idol” after hearing a pitch for it earlier this year. At that time, as Variety reported exclusively, NBC had emerged as the lead network to pick up a revival being shopped by FremantleMedia, which has insisted on a minimum 25-hour order from any broadcast partner.

But the Peacock backed away from a deal, concerned that “Idol” could negatively impact singing competition series “The Voice,” and turned off by a high asking price from the producer. The ABC deal would preclude the involvement of original judge Simon Cowell, who was rumored to be a possibility to rejoin the show at NBC, where he produces “America’s Got Talent” and has an exclusive agreement.

One potential name that has been floated to join the revived series is that of Kelly Clarkson, the singer who won the first season of “Idol” and went on to achieve pop-star status with hits such as “Since U Been Gone.”

ABC, which works with FremantleMedia on “Celebrity Family Feud” and “Match Game,” took another look at “Idol” last month while mapping out contingency plans for a possible strike by the Writers Guild of America. Broadcast and cable networks in the weeks leading up to the strike devoted a significant amount of time and energy to exploring what unscripted programming could be greenlit or expanded in the event of a strike.

However, FOX has been moving aggressively in recently weeks to bring the show back to its air. Of course, FOX is the network where American Idol originally aired for 15 seasons. From TMZ.

Our sources say FOX was unaware ABC was so far along until TMZ posted our story, and it has now made an offer that is richer than ABC’s.

We’re told the co-owners of the show, Core and Fremantle, are open to both options and it’s all about the deal.

Our sources say both networks want Ryan Seacrest as the host, and we’re told Ryan’s deal with ABC for ‘Live’ with Kelly allows him to pursue other projects. As we reported, he could fly back and forth and do both shows, but it would be borderline super-human.

Correction: Kelly Clarkson is being considered as judge, not host, as previously posted in the headline.

UPDATE: TMZ is reporting that the deal was closed for real on Friday

American Idol” will go to ABC, because TMZ has learned the deal is now closed.

TMZ broke the story … ABC made the offer nearly 2 weeks ago, and the networks’s plan is to officially announce it at the Upfronts in a week.

As we reported, FOX came on strong with an offer at the last minute, but the ABC deal was sealed Friday night.

Sources involved in the deal tell us … the co-owners of the show, Fremantle and Core, along with ABC, want Ryan Seacrest to host the show.

Please ABC. Don’t screw this up. As much as I miss the show, it feels too soon for a reboot.

About mj santilli 34841 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!