‘American Idol’: What To Expect From February 14’s Premiere

“American Idol,” the iconic series that revolutionized the television landscape by pioneering the music competition genre, will return to airwaves for another season on ABC. The show premieres Sunday, February 14 at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.

Idol superstar judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie return, while host and producer Ryan Seacrest returns to the competition series and TV personality Bobby Bones returns as in-house mentor.

Lionel, Luke and Katy are at their own individual desks instead of one long table. Because of COVID, the judges can’t hug the contestants for emotional or moral support, so they call in the parents of the singer if needed.

On this Sunday’s premiere episode, fans can expect to see Ryan chat with the contestants, plus their family’s if they are present in front of the virtual video wall. For Valentine’s Day, Ryan got a special video from his mom, Connie on the video wall.

The judges put on an impromptu catwalk when they take the runway in a challenge from Idol hopeful and European model Mario.

During the two-hour show, eleven contestants in all sang in front of the judges. Some of the contestants that auditioned included Claudia Conway, daughter of Kelly Anne Conway, former “The Voice,” “Sunday’s Best” and “The Four” contestant Jason Warrior is back to try again and Lancaster, KY native Alex Miller.

Speaking of Hollywood, the Golden Tickets are given out in a Covid friendly way. The tickets are on a long ticket wall and the contestants that go to Hollywood and pick the ticket from the wall themselves.

There are still some COVID challenges. “American Idol” executive producer Trish Kinane. “We had everybody audition where ever they were and we got to see kitchens and bathrooms and grandmas,” Kinane said during an ABC showrunners panel earlier this month. “The way it works is you go into a waiting room and when its your turn to audition in front of an Idol producer, you transfer in. There was one guy who had been waiting a while and when it was his time to be in front of producers he was asleep on his sofa. They were like, ‘do you want to wake up and do your audition.’ I won’t tell you who it is but he’s still in the competition so far.”

Catch the “American Idol” premiere Sunday, February 14 at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.