Next week, American Idol goes LIVE coast to coast for the first time this season. However, for the first time in Idol history, the show will air live coast to coast on MONDAY.
According to press releases from ABC, the Sunday April 24th and Monday April 25th episodes will air simultaneously across all time zones. That’s mighty nice of the west coast ABC affiliates to allow the show to interrupt their local news on a weekday.
American Idol has been very bold with their Monday broadcasts in general. The series is airing at least six Monday editions, including a special called “The Great Idol Reunion” featuring a slew of fan favorite alums on Monday, May 1.
In the past, Idol competed with NBC’s veteran singing show The Voice on Mondays. And NBC usually (but not always!) earned higher ratings when going head to head. But now, with new competition American Song Contest earning low ratings the Monday 8 pm time slot, American Idol is feeling so bold, that they are even trolling their rivals a little bit with a new episode format called “Judge’s Song Contest”
Will Judges Song Contest beat American Song Contest in the ratings?
Will Judges Song Contest beat American Song Contest in the ratings? Most likely! America’s Song Contest earned a 0.27 in the key 18-49 demo on Monday April 18, with 1.5 million overall viewers. On the other hand, American Idol nabbed 0.62 in the demo–tying for first place with FOX’s 911 (5.57 million viewers watched). American Idol OG winner, Kelly Clarkson, who co-hosts with Snoop Dogg can’t even save the show. (However, the show has its pleasures. And our Ashley Amber writes up an entertaining recap of the show every week check it out watch the videos!)
More than likely, “Judges Song Contest” is a nod to their rival. Host Ryan Seacrest has called Idol the “most watched singing show” on television. Idol ratings are often better or even with the once super-mighty The Masked Singer on FOX. He’s not exaggerating! (Last Wednesday, The Masked Singer garnered a 0.66 in the demo and 3.96 million viewers)
At this point, fans may be asking, what the heck is the Judges Song Contest?
On Sunday April 24, the newly minted Top 14 will perform. Season 16 alum and country star Gabby Barrett will return to mentor the singers “and offer guidance on what it takes to become America’s next superstar.” Idol will air simultaneously across all time zones, (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT/6:00-8:01 p.m. MDT/5:00-7:01 p.m. PDT) while fans vote for their favorites. A Top 11 will be unveiled at the end of the show.
The “Judges Song Contest” airs on Monday April 25. According the press release, “For the first time ever, American Idol superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will pick songs for each of the Top 11 to perform. Without knowing which judge offered the suggestion, each contestant will select their favorite song to perform, revealing the winning judge.”
In other words, the contestants will be given 3 songs, one from each judge. But they won’t know which judge gave what song. The judge with the most picks, wins. Ryan calls it “historic.” Again, the episode will air coast to coast (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT/6:00-8:01 p.m. MDT/5:00-7:01 p.m. PDT). Fans across America will vote. But at this time, it’s not clear how many will be eliminated. UPDATE: According to an American Idol promo, ONE will be eliminated, leaving 10 contestants to compete in Disney Night.
On Sunday April 30 it’s Disney Night, Monday May 1 The Great Idol Reunion. And then, according to Futon Critic, Sunday May 8 is “Top 7.” Maybe two will be eliminated on Monday, leaving a Top 9 for Disney night? But nothing is confirmed yet.
Make sure to bookmark our constantly updated American Idol schedule for all the latest updates:
American Idol 2022: Full Season 20 Schedule
