Skip to Content
reality TV reviews, news, and analysis since 2000

While American Idol used to be capable of unscripted surprise, the show itself offers very little of that any more. (For sure, the final season will attempt some, and perhaps succeed.) If anything, though, that’s the story of the what the show has become: it has failed to refresh itself and instead withered into stagnation, even despite the changes in its judging panel.

But here are four things I learned this week about the show that genuinely surprised me.

Read More about Four actually surprising facts about American Idol

Fox Television chairs and CEOs Dana Walden and Gary Newman talked with TV critics this morning at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. They talked about the network’s reality TV, including American Idol and Knock Knock Live. Inspired by this brief Twitter exchange with USA TODAY critic Robert Bianco, here are some things they …

Read More about Things Fox executives said about American Idol and Knock Knock Live, translated

Fox is cancelling American Idol after its 15th season, which will air next spring. Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick, Jr., will return for the final season’s judges, as will Ryan Seacrest as host, of course. The final season, Fox announced, will “pay tribute to the past 14 seasons of amazingly talented contestants and …

Read More about American Idol cancelled and will end after one more season