American Idol’s return to the studio with a dwell viewers comes with a significant caveat.
Luke Bryan has been pressured to tug out of the season’s first dwell present after contracting COVID-19.
“I’m unhappy to say I gained’t be part of tonight’s first dwell @americanidol present,” Bryan shared on social media Monday morning.
“I examined constructive for COVID however I’m doing effectively and sit up for being again at it quickly.”
The information signifies that producers have introduced in a substitute for tonight’s two-hour episode, which options the primary episode with a studio viewers since COVID-19 shut the present down for the primary time final season.
However ABC has a deal with for followers in Bryan’s absence.
Paula Abdul, an authentic choose when the sequence debuted on FOX, will fill the vacant seat briefly.
Abdul joins Katy Perry and Lionel Richie on the brand new episode of the sequence.
“Luke will probably be missed at our first #AmericanIdol LIVE present tonight, however he’s resting now in quarantine at dwelling and we’re wishing him a speedy restoration,” reads a put up on American Idol’s Instagram account.
“We’re so excited to announce @paulaabdul will probably be stepping in as a visitor choose to hitch Lionel Richie and Katy Perry as we get nearer to crowning a brand new winner!”
The 16 contestants nonetheless within the working embody Alanis Sophia, Alyssa Wray, Ava August, Beane, Caleb Kennedy, Casey Bishop, Cassandra Coleman, Chayce Beckham, Colin Jamieson, Deshawn Goncalves, Grace Kinstler, Graham DeFranco, Hunter Metts, Madison Watkins, Willie Spence, and Wyatt Pike.
Tonight’s episode will discover 10 contestants advancing to the highest 12, whereas the six remaining singers will carry out for the final two spots.
Like different exhibits, American Idol has adhered to strict COVID-19 protocols to maintain the sequence on the air, that means that hosts and crew are examined usually.
“Taking pictures a present throughout a pandemic continually presents new challenges,” ABC stated in a press launch.
“However we’re blessed to have the very best crew within the enterprise.”
Bringing the dwell viewers again will definitely make issues look extra real looking. Many exhibits have ditched the dwell audiences as a result of pandemic.
Abdul initially judged American Idol for eight seasons from 2002-10. She later had a number of visitor appearances, stopping by in each 2013 and 2016.
Her most up-to-date TV stint was on The Masked Singer spinoff, The Masked Dancer.
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Paul Dailly is the Affiliate Editor for TV Fanatic. Comply with him on Twitter.