And now, a reading from the Book of American Idol, the ABC Testament. Lo, in the beginning Katy Perry was signed on as the first judge to the reboot of the show that started it all for reality singing competitions, and it was interesting. But there were two more seats to be filled, and the public really wanted to know who'd get them. Well, wait no further, as Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie have both been confirmed as the judges rounding out the panel of power, ruling over the dreams of any aspiring singer who dares to step before them.
This confirmation doesn't come long after Bryan's hiring for ABC's American Idol was already hinted at being a done deal, but Richie's selection was a little bit of a surprise. With the legendary singer being one of the last two candidates rumored for the vacant judge's spot, he looked to have some competition in singing sensation Charlie Puth. But once the polls were closed with the top brass behind the project, it was clear that Richie was the one that won out.
It couldn't have happened at a more opportune time, as American Idol's live judges' auditions are set to start on October 11th, though the judges will make their first public appearance on Good Morning America on October 4th, per information from Deadline. This marks the next big phase in ABC's revival of the once gigantic reality juggernaut that brought Fox plenty of ratings glory, and made household names out of singers like Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, and Scottie McCreary. But on top of the talent showcased on the show's singing stage, the three-person voting board that occupied the now famous judges' table set-up has been a cause of just as much scrutiny and celebration.
With these three judges named as the powers that be in the resurrection of American Idol's storied career, they'll have to live up to some legendary predecessors. Most notably, there're two sets of judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie will have to follow in the footsteps of, and it's of course, the first and last line-ups that were present on the show. Both the initial years that features Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson, as well as the last couple of years that boasted Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr. were pretty high up in the chemistry department, as well as star power.
There's no doubt that these three new judges are stars in their own rights, but how they get along together is the x-factor that will determine whether or not this show flops or flies. And with Luke Bryan's enthusiastic confirmation not only of the judging line-up, but Ryan Seacrest's return as the host of American Idol, things are about to get a lot more exciting for everyone involved. You can watch his heartfelt hype video, below.
American Idol is looking to come back sometime in 2018, with a rumored post-Oscars slot in the offing. Should that be confirmed, we'll break that news when it comes. In the meantime, visit our fall premiere guide to see what's coming to your screens in the next couple of months.
