Ryan Seacrest Will Use Iconic American Idol Prop on Sunday's Show

American Idol Host Ryan Seacrest Unearths Iconic American Idol Desk For Sunday’s Remote Episode

Remember when FOX cancelled American Idol in 2016 after 15 seasons? After the finale, host Ryan Seacrest wanted the iconic Idol judges desk, where Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, among others sat, as a memento of the years he spent helming the show. He got his wish, and ever since then, the prop has been sitting in his garage.

Fast forward four years. American Idol is back on the air at ABC. A world pandemic, coronavirus, has halted film and television production. And reality shows, including American Idol, are filming episodes remotely from cast and contestant homes. Good thing Ryan has that, by now, dust covered desk in his garage! Who knew it would be useful again?

And so, in advance of Sunday’s all-new remote episode, Ryan Seacrest gives American Idol fans a sneak peek of his hosting digs featuring the iconic, original Idol judge desk that he had hidden away at home.

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“Hey guys, we’re rehearsing for American Idol,” says Ryan in the below clip, “And this desk…is the original desk that Randy, Paula and Simon had. It was in my garage, but I never thought I’d quite use it again, but it’s coming in handy for this Sunday!”

Ryan also wrote: “Kept this in my garage for over 3 years in case of an emergency. The time has come…. @AmericanIdol is going to be HISTORIC on so many levels. We’re broadcasting from 25 different locations – don’t miss an all-new show this Sunday at 8|7c on ABC!”

Watch the American Idol Top 20 perform remotely from their homes

Watch this Sunday, April 26 at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC as the Top 20 perform remotely for a spot in the Top 10 of American Idol. For the first time, judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, host Ryan Seacrest, in-house mentor Bobby Bones and the Top 20 contestants will participate from different locations. The singers will continue their journeys remotely, filming their performances on iPhones, as they perform for a chance to win America’s vote.