What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1339492
T2 WHATS UP! February 14 - 20, 2021 BY KYLA BREWER TV Media W ith so many peo- ple sticking close to home these days, this has be- come the era of binge-watching episode after episode of TV shows. It seems as if increas- ingly fewer television series have what it takes to keep viewers tuning in each and ev- ery week. Luckily for those looking to add a little more ex- citement to their TV-watching routines, one of the world's most successful reality TV se- ries is about to return to prime time. Emmy winner Ryan Seacrest ("Entertainment Tonight") hosts one of the most thrilling talent search shows in the his- tory 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 per- forming as they serve as judges once again, while radio person- ality and industry expert Bobby Bones returns to mentor the contestants on their path to stardom. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted some changes to how the show operates, but it still gives hopeful young sing- ers the chance to break into the music industry as they com- pete for the "American Idol" ti- tle and a lucrative record deal. As in previous seasons, the new "American Idol" featured an open casting call that invited anyone between the ages of 15 and 28 to audition, regardless of experience. Literally anyone who thinks that he/she/they can sing was welcome to give it a go. The judges will whittle down the field through a series of audition and performance rounds until just one contes- tant 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 to- gether, 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, refer- ring to the way the series perse- vered in spite of the COVID-19 shutdown this past spring. While the coronavirus may have thrown a monkey wrench into the show's plans last sea- son, the "American Idol" crew didn't let the pandemic stand in the way of continuing the jour- ney for hopeful singers looking for their big breaks. It was the first reality TV series to pres- ent 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 Saman- tha Diaz) was named the 2020 American Idol while in quaran- tine. The COVID-19 pandemic has indeed made things more chal- lenging for all sorts of series, but "American Idol" was actual- ly able to virtually visit all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., during the new season's initial auditions — a first for the se- Lionel Richie, Ryan Seacrest, Katy Perry, Bobby Bones and Luke Bryan in "American Idol" continued on page T10 TV FEATURE 5 x 5 The show must go on Your subscription includes full access to the digital replica with all of its great extra features! INTERACTIVE PUZZLES! Available on the digital replica. Subscribe today and receive an iPad with your subscription*. *iPad must be returned within 30 days of termination of account. Call 479-684-5509 or go to nwaonline.com/nwaipad