Entertainment Extra

2 ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA By Kyla Brewer TV Media W ith so many people sticking close to home these days, this has become the era of binge-watching episode after episode of TV shows. It seems as if increasingly fewer television series have what it takes to keep viewers tuning in each and every week. Luckily for those looking to add a little more excitement to their TV-watching routines, one of the world's most success- ful reality TV series is about to return to prime time. Emmy winner Ryan Seacrest ("Entertainment Tonight") hosts one of the most thrilling talent search shows in the history of television as the new season of "American Idol" kicks off Sunday, Feb. 14, on ABC. Music icons Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan share their love of music and performing as they serve as judges once again, while radio personality and industry expert Bobby Bones returns to mentor the contes- tants on their path to stardom. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted some changes to how the show operates, but it still gives hopeful young singers the chance to break into the music industry as they compete for the "American Idol" title and a lucrative record deal. As in previ- ous seasons, the new "American Idol" featured an open casting call that invited anyone between the ages of 15 and 28 to audi- tion, regardless of experience. Literally anyone who thinks that he/she/they can sing was wel- come to give it a go. The judges will whittle down the field through a series of audition and performance rounds until just one contestant is crowned the winner. That is the basic premise, and it hasn't changed, even in the face of COVID-19. "'American Idol' has always been able to bring people together, entertain and inspire," ABC executive Karey Burke said in an official news release, "and I am so proud of how this show continued to deliver joy and laughter into people's homes during a time when we needed it the most." Burke was, of course, referring to the way the series persevered in spite of the COVID-19 shut- down this past spring. While the coronavirus may have thrown a monkey wrench into the show's plans last season, the "American Idol" crew didn't let the pan- demic stand in the way of con- tinuing the journey for hopeful singers looking for their big breaks. It was the first reality TV series to present a fully remote episode when the pandemic shut things down, staying true to the old adage: the show must go on. In the end, Just Sam (aka Samantha Diaz) was named the 2020 American Idol while in quarantine. The COVID-19 pandemic has indeed made things more chal- lenging for all sorts of series, but "American Idol" was actually able to virtually visit all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., during the new season's initial audi- tions — a first for the series. This past August, the virtual "Idol Across America" tour kicked off using innovative, custom-built Zoom technology that allowed producers to conduct live remote auditions in every corner of the country. The unique audition pro- cess likely leveled the playing field even further for hopeful singers who might not have had the means to travel to one of the audition cities in previous sea- sons. Even better, aspiring sing- ers had the flexibility to choose from a variety of dates as the virtual auditions meant they could log in to any of the audi- tion sessions. Things may look a bit different this season, but the heart of the series remains the same as view- ers meet and get to know gifted vocalists chasing their dreams. That kind of programming has the potential to provide hope for those struggling to find the posi- tive in a sometimes bleak situa- tion. "At times like these, it is more important than ever to give fam- ilies wholesome entertainment, packed full of hope, talent and inspiration — where dreams come true," executive p Eli Holzman said in an o news release. "And that 'American Idol' is all abo Although the virtual t an innovative solution to this season's contestant new season of "America is set to forge ahead wit in-person interaction in to the end of last season had to be finished remo safety reasons. This time the show has made som ments so that everyone remain safe as they adh local, state, industry and guidelines. The health an protocols were firmly in when contestants who m past the first phase of a traveled to California in to perform for judges Pe Richie and Bryan, along Seacrest. Gone is the ico "American Idol" judges has now been replaced rate tables for each judg Of course, talent sear grams have been around ages, but "American Ido the genre to a whole ne by honing in on young s from all walks of life. Ba the British series "Pop Id show first premiered in 2002 on Fox, where it st until April 2016. It rema hiatus until March 2018 was revived on ABC. The singing competition seri garnered a reputation fo ing stars, kicking off the of such celebrities as Ke Clarkson, Carrie Underw Jordin Sparks and Ruben Studdard. YMCA 2 x 2" Pear Tree Gallery 3 x 2" On the Cover Ryan Seacrest hosts "American Idol" 'American Idol' returns on Valentine's Day Chase Center 3 x 2" American Legion Post 60 2 x 3" Thrifty Muffler 2 x 2.5"

• Cover