Meanwhile, former EP Nigel Lythgoe says that 'it feels a little too soon to bring it back' and points out that one can resurrect a series when there is a 'public demand' for the show to come back.
- May 9, 2017
AceShowbiz -
Former "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest has confirmed that the show's revival talks are indeed taking place on ABC. In Monday, May 8 episode of "Live", Ryan said that although it was still "unofficial," it was "very close that it could" end up returning on the network.
Ryan admitted that he was too surprised by the news as he said, "This was news to me last week." He later added that he made a few calls to check after reading the news.
Kelly Ripa, who said that she liked "American Idol" a lot, asked Ryan a question which everyone is curious about right now. "Are you going to host it?" she asked, to which Ryan jokingly answered, "Whatever you want. You're my work wife. I say yes and bow to you." Ryan later continued, "I don't know about that part yet, we haven't gotten that far."
"I don't know if I can host it," Ryan hedged. He continued, "Do you know the preparation I have to do for ['Live'] every night?" However, the radio personality admitted he was happy when he learned that "American Idol" might end up on ABC. "Well, that's kind of good to know, since I work here!" he said.
In related news, "American Idol" former executive producer Nigel Lythgoe weighed in on the revival attempt to Variety. "They got their wish, but it feels a little too soon to bring it back," he said.
Nigel, who currently executive produces FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance", worked on "American Idol" from 2002 to 2008 and returned in 2010 through 2016. He believed that to resurrect a series, one needed "public demand."
Nigel opened up that "the reason why they let go" the show was the high cost it required, starting for costs of location shooting (auditions, the contestants' home towns) and judges' salaries. Nigel suggested to a new network, which would bring back the show, to commit to a "short run" or produce the show in house to "keep costs down."
The former EP praised ABC for "looking after its shows, like 'Dancing With the Stars' " which had been running for 24 seasons. He also gushed about FremantleMedia's Trish Kinane, whom he said "did a good job" during "American Idol" final season. "I'm delighted for them if they bring it back, and I'm looking forward to seeing it again. Hopefully they find some new angles for 'Idol'," he concluded.
