‘Idol’ dreams
PERRY, BRYAN, RICHIE HIT HIGH NOTES AS JUDGES IN ABC’S REBOOT
When Fox aired the series finale to “American Idol” back in April 2016 — remember those long-ago days? — I predicted some network would take a chance on a reboot some day.
Who knew ABC would prove me right so quickly?
Much has changed in the world — and even more so in television. Some complain the many network revivals — “The X-Files,” “Will & Grace,” “Roseanne” later this month and even “Murphy Brown” next season on CBS after 20 years — prove the networks have run out of ideas.
Nah. They all have the same idea — that it’s easier to get audiences to visit a proven hit than to check out a new show, particularly in light of streaming giant Netflix’s seemingly endless spending spree on series and specials.
ABC gambles you’ve missed “Idol” enough to give it another shot.
The talent competition dominated ratings for years and minted such genuine stars as Carrie Underwood, Fantasia, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson (who now judges over on NBC’s “The Voice”). “Idol” alumni have sold over 65 million albums.
The ubiquitous Ryan Seacrest is back as host. You might think that with his own radio talk show and his daily gig on “Live with Kelly and Ryan” in New York that he would be too busy for this show, but here he is, as insincere as ever. (If not him, ABC probably would have hired Steve Harvey since between the two, they have something like 90 percent of all TV hosting jobs and at least 3 percent of all genuine human emotions.)
But ABC hits some high notes with a judges table that doesn’t look to “Idol’s” contentious past but forges its own path.
“I Kissed a Girl” pop star Katy Perry, country superstar Luke Bryan and music legend Lionel Richie form a panel that doesn’t so much practice tough love as dole out “Chicken Soup for the Soul” critiques.
“You’re not failing, you’re learning,” Perry and Richie tell one rejected singer.
Bryan is driven to do right by the many hopefuls. Richie has about 400 years of experience in the business and stopped aging in 1985. Perry connects with the young, the gay, the ones who have been branded freaks by their peers. (“What if Katy Perry thinks I’m strange?” one girl wonders aloud. Not a chance.)
There’s a chemistry here that could surpass the original panel of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, mostly because it’s built on mutual affection, for each other, and, crucially, all the jittery wannabes who come through the doors and stand before them. You might sense these stars have decided they are greeting industry equals who just haven’t had — or might not be ready for — that big break yet.
This also seems to be a kinder “Idol.” You still get your delusional contestants, but at least in the premiere, it doesn’t look as if “Idol” is going out its way to recruit the next William Hung or Sanjaya.
One aspiring superstar seems to get unhinged in the face of rejection. “I’m not leaving today without a golden ticket,” she vows.
But for every off-key vocalist, you get the outcast 15-year-old girl who sings as if she fell from heaven or the dweeb who looks like the love child of Harry Potter and Archie Andrews and sounds like Frank Sinatra.
“American Idol” still has the power to make dreams come true.