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)

Sunday 21 November

By Stacey

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Why so much trash talking?? Honestly, all that have negative things to say couldn't do any better. Get a life! I am looking forward to seeing all three judges work together! Best wishes to the three! All are very talented! :)

By John F.C. Taylor

Here's a suggestion for a new night - NEVER. Same goes for all these TV time wasters we call reality shows.

By shlockomania

Now that Fox owns Thursday nights, getting a life will be impossible.

By Lena

What were the producers thinking hiring these 2. American Idol already has a disadvantage with Simon leaving , now its finished for sure. Been watching this show since the beginning but its over for me. Bring on more DANCING WITH THE STARS...............

By opinionlady

American Idol has officially "Jumped the Shark"!

By Sandy

I will not be watching Idol no matter what night it is on. The heart of this show has changed. Can't sant JLo, too full of herself and Steven Tyler, well what can I say that could be printed.

By Richard Ott

If there's anything else I would've loved to change
about American Idol, it's the theme song. There's
nothing about it that really captures the excitement
of what this show is about. It's just "Whoa, Whoa!"
Not even the name of the show is mentioned in the
theme. After 10 years, American Idol deserves to have
a really catchy theme song, because it's long overdue.

Monday 22 November

By John

IDOL IS DEAD...IT HAS SUCKED FOR YEARS..

By Larry D.

When they have to resort to that ugly, arrogant, screamer Steven Tyler, you know this show is on its last legs. What a mess they have made of the judges.

By jack

Maybe, just maybe I will continue watching to see the singers, but use my mute button when the judges are on. And..maybe I will not watch at all--deoending what is on opposite this show. I am not giving up anything I watch now.

By Jack

Sorry--the word is depending, not deoending--thought I would correct before all the so-called English Teachers see it.

Sorry--the word on my previous post shoud be depending.

By allyndp

American Idol will continue as long as there are so many narcissistic individuals who actually think they can sing or entertain. There seems to be a deluge of them at every turn of the dial.

By John W

Maybe Idol is no longer (actualy) on top? With all the changes made of late, is it soon to just..... go away?

By Linda

They will never be able to create the chemistry between Paula and Simon, without Paula and Simon. Thats what made Idol a winner.

By Louis

I don't think the change in the schedule will have that great an impact. I think the bigger issue is how the new judges will be accepted. A lot of people enjoyed watching Simon abuse the contestants more than they enjoyed the actual performances. I don't think any of these 3 judges have much "charisma".

By Geegee Davis

Simon WAS the show. He is actually the reason we all watched. He was the stablity factor that held the show together. We booed at his critical remarks.. but his expressions showed he was sincere and VERY good at what he did. The public will not respond to Steven Tyler in the same way or to the other judges. They should have KEPT Simon at ANY cost. I predict that somehow, they will bring Simon BACK to the show when it begins to wane.. We certainly will miss seeing him on a bi-weekly basis.

By Janice

Sorry, won't be watching it, okay at least the elimination round. I like Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice on ABC and CSI and The Mentalist on CBS. Ya know you can only TIVO so much.

By Bob and Debbie

Idol is done. Without Simon the show is nothing. Simon was the only one who would tell it like it is. I will not watch the program any more.

By Dee

They really should have had Bret Michaels on AI. I can't stand Steven Tyler. He's gross.

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