The music reality show that was once the most popular on U.S. television will return in January, but Fox announced on Monday that it will be a farewell season for the series. Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr. will return as the judges for the final season as will host Ryan Seacrest.

The announcement comes two days before the 14th season finale of "American Idol." The final two shows of the season, where the finalists perform and then a winner is announced, have traditionally been its best rated shows of the season for Idol. News of the cancellation could give a final boost to this week's ratings.


The show was once a ratings juggernaut and huge profit driver for Fox. It averaged more than 20 million viewers every season from 2003, it's second year on the air, through 2011, according to ratings tracker Nielsen, making it the top rated non-sports program on television through most of that period. It reached a high point with an average of nearly 31 million viewers in 2006. "Idol" was the top rated show on television for eight consecutive seasons.

But its ratings have fallen hard since then, with an average of only 10.3 million viewers last season, and only 9 million viewers so far this year, making it the 20th most-viewed program. It is no longer even Fox's top rated program, losing that distinction to the new drama Empire.

Beat me to it, kb!

As for my opinion on this, AI ending isn't really a loss. Compare the stars the show has made to those made by Star Search or artists showcased on the variety shows of the past and how each show's respective stars have left their mark in music. AI loses every single time. It's funny how the losers are more memorable than every season winner sans 2 (Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood) though that isn't saying much considering neither artist that won is viewed on the same level as say, Beyonce or Justin Timberlake or Kanye or even Bruno (who is only getting more popular). J Hud is great but she isn't on the level of today's top stars. The irony of this is that while AI really had no impact on mainstream music for practically its entire run, the mainstream music scene almost reflected the show's decline in credibility (not that there was much to begin with) to a T.

The only thing AI was good for especially after the original judges (Simon in paticular) left was collecting ratings until even those started declining. Good riddance to this waste of space.

1sotrue said:

Some say the show jumped the shark when Simon Cowell left but it jumped the shark when they added Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj to the panel when they failed to renew Paula Abdul's contract.

That recently?

Simon Cowell knew when it was over.

American Idol should've been cancel after The Voice became a better reality talent show to watch.

purplethunder3121 said:

Simon Cowell knew when it was over.

.....but Simon didn't know that his X-Factor USA was not going to work neither.

TonyVanDam said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Simon Cowell knew when it was over.

.....but Simon didn't know that his X-Factor USA was not going to work neither.

Eh, one outa two ain't bad.

I have never watched a single episode of this show.Never understood why people go crazy over shows like this.

SoulAlive said:

I have never watched a single episode of this show.Never understood why people go crazy over shows like this.

It's exactly like Star Search, except at the end the winner releases an album after a season-long "story" of mentorship, song challenges, and public voting which kept the audience tuned in.

Now, one can only hope that Ryan Seacrest's other show is canceled......Keeping Up With Those Damn Annoying Kardashians!

American Idol lost its credibility with the hiring of Nikki Minaj as a singing judge. Seriously though, when was the last time one of its contestants emerged as a big star? Good riddance.

[Edited 5/11/15 22:53pm]

BlackCat1985 said:

Well its about damn time. I guess Fox said we don't need American Idol anymore because they have Empire. The show has been on the decline since the original judges left the show.

I only watched season 1 @ 2. Lost interest in it after that.

Identity said:

BlackCat1985 said:

Well its about damn time. I guess Fox said we don't need American Idol anymore because they have Empire. The show has been on the decline since the original judges left the show.

It was OVA when Simon left the building.

Identity said:

American Idol lost its credibility with the hiring of Nikki Minaj as a singing judge. Seriously though, when was the last time one of its contestants emerged as a big star? Good riddance.

[Edited 5/11/15 22:53pm]

In my book, the only 3 people 2 ever got a single penny out of me was Fantasia, Studdard & Jennifer Hudson.

Graycap23 said:

Identity said:

American Idol lost its credibility with the hiring of Nikki Minaj as a singing judge. Seriously though, when was the last time one of its contestants emerged as a big star? Good riddance.

[Edited 5/11/15 22:53pm]

In my book, the only 3 people 2 ever got a single penny out of me was Fantasia, Studdard & Jennifer Hudson.

I'm still not understanding why Rueben's career never took off? Everyone was saying he was perfect to take over Luther's throne but it never happened. Not even close.

kitbradley said:

Graycap23 said:

In my book, the only 3 people 2 ever got a single penny out of me was Fantasia, Studdard & Jennifer Hudson.

I'm still not understanding why Rueben's career never took off? Everyone was saying he was perfect to take over Luther's throne but it never happened. Not even close.

Weak song writing. W E A K.

Graycap23 said:

kitbradley said:

I'm still not understanding why Rueben's career never took off? Everyone was saying he was perfect to take over Luther's throne but it never happened. Not even close.

Weak song writing. W E A K.

^^^This and not a stellar work ethic. See Madonna or Prince for a work ethic.