‘American Idol’ Shuts Down
• Coronavirus concerns have halted production on ABC’s American Idol less than two weeks before the live performance shows were scheduled to start on March 30. Deadline reports that all of the contestants have been sent home to be with their families amid the escalating coronavirus outbreak that has now spread to all 50 states. The show has a longstanding radio connection in the form of two Premiere-syndicated personalities: Idol host Ryan Seacrest and mentor Bobby Bones.
The decision by American Idol producer Fremantle to shut down production was made on the heels of L.A. County’s new strict guidelines prohibiting large gatherings to slow the spread of COVID-19. Fremantle has also instituted working remotely as editing on the final pre-taped Idol episodes continues.
Deadline theorizes that the producers and ABC could use additional existing footage to cobble together an extra episode or two “to buy themselves some time while they evaluate the situation and make a final decision whether to proceed with live shows and, if they do, in what shape or form.” NBC and Warner Bros. Alternative TV will soon have to make a similar decision for The Voice, which currently has its first live show of season scheduled for May 4.
