MAGBABALIK ang American Idol, ang pinakasikat na music reality show sa kasaysayan ng U.S. television, sa screen sa ABC sa 2018, pahayag ng network kahapon.
Ang palabas, na kinansela ng Fox Television noong nakaraang taon pagkatapos ng 15 seasons, ay dating ratings powerhouse, na pinapanood ng mahigit 30 milyong viewer noong kalakasan nito simula 2005 hanggang 2007.
Ang glitzy talent na naglunsad ng career nina Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, Jennifer Hudson at marami pang iba – na pinatingkad ng celebrity judges na salitan ang pag-aaway at pagpupurihan –ay bumaba nang bumaba ang ratings kalaunan.
“Very exciting announcement,” sabi ni ABC television host Robin Roberts sa Good Morning America nitong Martes. “We can reveal right here for the first time ABC is bringing American Idol back!”
Spinoff ng British music competition na Pop Idol, na umere simula 2001 hanggang 2003, nagtagumpay ang American version at nagbunsod ng maraming palabas na may katulad na format sa buong mundo, kabilang na ang Australian, Latin American at Indian Idols.
Sa loob ng United States, ang American Idol phenomenon ay nanganak ng maraming kalabang palabas gaya ng The Voice ng NBC, Rock Star ng CBS, at The X Factor ng Fox.”
Naging top trending sa Twitter ang American Idol nang ipahayag ang good news kahapon, at iba-iba ang reaksiyon ng netizens.
“American Idol is already coming back,” tweet ni Andrea Marie (@andrea_mariexx). “I don’t think anyone had any time to miss it.”
“Man, ‘member American Idol?” tweet naman ni Ian Fortey (@IanFortey). “The world was so different. Donald Trump was running for President. Game of Thrones was only in season 6.”
Hindi sinabi ng ABC kung sino ang mga magiging hurado, at marami ang nagtanong kung magbabalik rin sa bagong bersiyon ang long-time host nitong si Ryan Seacrest.
“I’m so happy to wake up to the news that American Idol is returning!!” ani @MendesDNCEArmy. “Now the question is... is Ryan Seacrest returning?!?!” (Reuters)