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 ronoct12

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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.

By Ben from Baltimore

Paula will nail it. She will get her payback for those Idol producers that participate in gender pay discrimination. Idol is the next Titanic without Paula and Simon. It will take more than a scheduling move to save Idol.

By ohsowhat

AI brings nothing to the table with out Simon! Jlo, Tyler, Randy,
This panel SUCKS!!! I don't care how many records they sold! It was Simon and Paula who made this show fun to watch. Look when they replaced Paula with Kara what a mess that was, They should of just let AI go off when Simon left and call it a day.

Sunday 21 November

By rmrmsix

The last 3 years of fantasy voting and surprise winners when clear cut winners were there, finally hit the fan. Now with the changes and the rest, Idol is over for me. They can find more teeny boppers to watch and tweet and twiter and that is all this show ever was. Talent means nothing, this last season really sold that fact.

By badass

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Randy never did it for me, Paula was nice even when she was sleeping, Simon was the show. when Tyler was first introduced I thought it was a not so good looking lady, when I found out it was Tyler, lol, well, that dude is ugly and that alone scares people from watching Idol.

By LOL

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Lame, Lame & Lame count em (3) that are Lame = American Idol is LAME !

By Pinkmingo

I think that everyone needs to give the show a try. If after it has been out for a bit and then you feel that the show should be cancelled, then you have an honest opinion. It seems that opinions are being formed before the show even airs. ???

By MAGOOS

Not the same show without the old judges. Bristol Palin could audition for this one if she can get as far as she did on DWTS!

By Valjean

NO SIMON NO AMERICAN IDOL. Bringing on Jlowblow and the old 'singer' the shows jumped the shark. will watch whatever else is on but NOT american idol. it was fun while it lasted.
Ryan Suckcrest is the one who should of been let go.

By Robert

VERY interesting article. How can Paula be on both shows?

Monday 22 November

By Njeanous

No I am not surprised about the Parker-Longoria break up! Now ask me do I care.

By sway

Not giving up Grey's or Vampire Diaries for AI. Not much interested anyway. Lost interest last year, starting to be boring.

By Doris m. Koch

Well if Paulas show is good at all and has a head start....I will
be inclined to stay with her. The Idol panel just does not
excite me that much! Randy is okay.....but no one else really
make me want to watch!

By Gia

Bringing on Jlo is a stupid mistake. She's another Madonna. If you want your show or movie to tank hire one of those two road hard and put away wet broads. As for Steven Tyler. He can sit back and judge people because he's been in a band for decades. It's his time to enjoy being on a show instead of BEING the show. Randy knows music but Jlo, sorry, she has no business judging anyone because first you have to have REAL talent before you can judge another person on their's.

Tuesday 14 December

By sid

THE END

By gobluespartyon

I'm surprise that Fox is moving Idol oh well I'm going to be watching no matter what even if it is it's last season. I think Idol can last without Simon it may not be that ratings power house like it once was.

By Harmon

Is that Jaylow on the far right without makeup? I thought the new judges were going to have some musical talent? what happened? wheres Kelly Osborne and Gweneth Paltrow? theyd make great judges for a show thats jumped the shark! now were talking ratings!

By Lainee Huston

I haven't watched idol since Paula left and don't see any reason to watch it now, no matter what night they put it on.

By cgw

Wake up! after last pick pick (really bad) over the female singer with soul, you won't get any nights you are going to 'own' and this Bristol Palin crap on DWTS will bring down that house too

By sharon

AI is finished. It has run its course.

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