With only three months left before 2017 turns into 2018, ABC is kicking their preparations up a notch with their revival season of reality singing competition “American Idol.” After a 2016 finale season on its original carrier Fox, the network had taken on the pioneering show’s producers, Fremantle Media, to have “Idol” resume on air by sometime next year. This was in spite of the reported rating decline that spurred Fox to turn its fifteenth season of the competition into a farewell. But ABC and Fremantle are adamant that the show will not rest long.

Having already signed on Katy Parry as judge, the producers are rounding out the three-person panel with the addition of Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.

Country artist and music icon

ABC may have missed out on the possibility of engaging the “’Original’ American Idol” Kelly Clarkson to serve as a judge for the show’s revival on their network, but she was not the only name on their list. Even as the inaugural season winner decided to throw in with “The Voice” season 4 on NBC, pop star Katy Perry was confirmed as the first revival season judge. Now ABC has announced the inclusion of country singer Luke Bryan as Judge Number 2, which Bryan confirmed on his Twitter page.

He will be joined by Judge Number 3, none other than music icon and Songwriters Hall of Famer Lionel Richie.

The crooner of memorable 80s songs like “Hello” and “Say You, Say Me” remarked on his excitement at forming a new judges panel for ABC's “American Idol” with Bryan and Perry and is ready to draw on his experience as a singer, songwriter, and producer in his new role. Luke Bryan for his part is looking forward to “help some deserving artists reach their dreams,” and went on to describe fellow judge Richie as “his hero.”

Quick return for ‘Idol’

When the farewell season of “American Idol” finished in April of 2016, Fox had initially expressed openness on reviving the pioneer reality singing competition after a significant hiatus of several years to recover from its last few seasons’ downward ratings trend.

Fremantle Media, however, believed that the show can recover quickly enough for a revival, and entered into a deal with ABC back in May. The show’s longtime host Ryan Seacrest has also been confirmed to remain as host on the new network.

ABC programming head Channing Dungey is of the opinion that both Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan were perfect additions to Katy Perry on the “American Idol” revival season. The new panel of judges will make their first appearance together on the network’s “Good Morning America” this Wednesday, October 4.
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