American Idol Remote Schedule Set, Ryan Seacrest and Luke Ryan How the Show Will Resume Filming
American Idol judge Luke Bryan dialed into On Air With Ryan Seacrest to chat with the Idol host about, among other things, how the show will proceed in the time of coronavirus pandemic. Luke and Ryan both confirmed that producers are working on plans to air performances and judges critiques remotely.
And in fact, the rest of the season appears to be mapped out: American Idol’s “This is Me” clip show parts 1 and 2 will air Sunday April 12 and Sunday April 19 respectively. An episode titled “Top 20 Sing for America” is scheduled to air Sunday April 26. And then “Live Coast To Coast Feed” is scheduled to air Sunday May 3 and Sunday May 10. The finale is set for Sunday May 17.
Click for Revised American Idol season 18 Schedule
After hyping Sunday’s American Idol clip show, which will feature interviews with and new performances from the Top 21, Ryan talked a bit about how the show will move on without pre-taped episodes. The worldwide coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a halt to ALL activities that bring people in close contact, including TV and movie production.
“It’s very interesting, it’s all sort of coming together,” said Ryan. “But the other thing that Luke and I and Katie and Lionel and the contestants are still figuring out–we are going to go on the air every single Sunday for America’s vote. Now, we’re not quite sure how but we’re doing it!”
Luke on How Remote Streaming Will Affect the Judges Dynamic, Not Letting the Kids Down
Luke mused a little bit about how broadcasting remotely will affect the dynamic between him and fellow judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. “It’s going to be fun,” he said. “It’s us not talking over the top of one another when we’re streaming these things from the comforts of our home.”
But first and foremost, Luke wants to give this year’s talented American Idol contestants an opportunity to shine. “I don’t want us to let their dreams down,” said Luke. “I want us to be able to really showcase these kids to the best of our ability and I think we’re going to be able to do that and it’s going to be an interesting way we go about it.”
“And it’s going to be a living and breathing thing that we’re going to have to figure out week after week,” said Luke, “which I’m sure you’ve kind of had to do obviously with your radio show and and hosting live.”
Luke added, “You know, the talent this year is really exciting and I want to give them every every opportunity to shine.”
“That’s the mission,” Ryan replied. “I’ll see you soon, On the Whatever video conferencing app we’re going to host the show on.”
So there you go. American Idol producers plan to conduct the competition remotely from the host’s, judges’ and contestants’ homes. I have my doubts about the format for a competition. But what choice do they have? I suspect The Voice will handle the three live performance episodes scheduled for May in the same way. It’s a risk to postpone the season indefinitely, because nobody knows when it will be safe to return to production. Wait too long, and the opportunity to finish the season could be gone.
