Fox Announces New Night for 'American Idol'

By Christine Fenno Posted Nov 20th 2010 02:54PM

As soon as each season's Hollywood Week ends, and finalists start singing for fans' votes, 'American Idol' addicts coast to coast are on autopilot when it comes to tuning in for fresh performances on Tuesdays, and for the elimination announcement the next night. According to the Hollywood Reporter, that's all about to change.

Fox has made the surprising move of bumping the hit series -- about to launch season 10 with the revamped panel of Randy Jackson and new judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler -- to a weekly Wednesday/Thursday schedule.

"Here's a chance for us to own Thursday nights," says Mike Darnell, Fox's president of alternative programming, who is gambling that having Ryan Seacrest preside over the suspenseful elimination episodes one night later than usual will be a winner for the network (the night is known to garner the most lucrative ad dollars). He added, "You have to do a big move to take on Thursdays, and this is a big move."

With the Fox hit 'Glee' dominating Tuesday nights, 'Idol' will soon face a very interesting competitor on Wednesday nights: Paula Abdul's new talent competition, 'Live to Dance,' on CBS. Abdul, who has spent months auditioning talented hoofers to compete for a $500,000 prize, will have a head start, as her show debuts on Jan. 4, two weeks before the new season of 'Idol' kicks off.

'American Idol,' with its new Simon-free panel of judges, will air its two-hour season 10 premiere on Wed., Jan. 19.

Tags: American Idol, jennifer lopez, paula abdul

Comments

(62)

Saturday 20 November

By Paul

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Fox's has ready screw up Idol. There was no need for Fox's to kill this show because Simon is gone

By Robert

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I know the fat black guy that always says yo and I know JLo but who is the old broad on the right? She sure is a mess. WHEW. She will propably win it this year.

By cathylint

Wanna know where people go to snag an i-nter-racial rel-ations-hip, say, Just for future reference? “i-nterr-acial Central”? “San Carlos” ? or “San Francisco”?*** BlackWhite Cupid C 0/om *** is the real place that is packed with them. ;)nnhnhh

Sunday 21 November

By BTDT

AI is swirling the drain. New night, new judges, doesn't matter.
Stick a fork in it already.

By kanwodjjhzz

Simon was the heart of the show. Paula and he were good tv. Jl brings nothing to the table and as unkind as it is; no one sitting at home want to look at S.T. regardless of his talent.I love this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via agegapsingl es.c 'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends.. Just love it

By Amy

They can move the show's day-time-doesn't matter-without Simon its done. I have watched every season. Do I want to watch diva Jennifer Lopez critique the contestants? Nope. I'll watch something else. I give the show 2 more seasons before it gets canceled.

By moenab3

No interest in American Idol without Simon.

By Wendy

Since Paula Abdul left I only watch the auditions and if Lopez is at the auditions this year I won't watch them either.

By Pentaxian

They are just going to mess up the best show on Thursday by moving it to Friday. (FRINGE) No one cares about American Idol anymore.

By LARRY

Speak for your self I"m going to watch AI.

By buck riley

Sorry,but bringing Steven Tyler on Idol did it for me..... I'am outa here!! The producers shot themselves in the foot. Harry Connik Jr. or a few others would be a decent choice... what a waste. Too bad Simon had to depart.

By deege

Everything changes in life so get used to it. JLO is hot and Steven Tyler is good people. I am looking forward to seeing the both of them. Two musicians and an actress that will judge the talent. Who could ask for more? Most people did not even know who Simon was until the show was created, now they all sound like they are his best friend.

By Lauren

Haha just ANOTHER nail in the idol coffin! They've practically buried it by now.

By Dean

Vote down Vote up Report this

I sure was hell am not giving up my Housewife biatches for Idol...stupid move.

I would rather have had Gene Simmons as a judge,Steven Tyler looks like a homely woman instead of a rock star at his age.

By kesubrma

American Idol is a joke!
I stopped watching it years ago.
This is the last season for that show.

By will

I cannot think of a worse panel of judges than this years recruits. Jennifer Lopez has NO talent. Steven Tyler needs to go back in the grave. Randy Jackson has always been a dumb black man with nothing beneficial to say except for black slang words from the ghetto. I guess I'll be renting movies on Netflix on a cold Winters night instead of Idol.

By gobluespartyon

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Your a bigot Will Randy Jackson knows talent just like JLo so your claims which are lies plus your heartless.

By Justin

Will I know more dumb white people on TV than any other race. I do agree Jennifer Lopez is a no talent Latino who slept her way to the top. Looks like she's on her way down now. Right now the most untalented person on television now is that Bristol Palin girl. I've seen dogs in talent contests dance better than she does.

By Ewww

They have to do all they can. Who in the heck wants to watch the ugly one on the right?

Page 1 of 4