Los Angeles
Whether viewers choose a future chart-topper or trivia question remains to be seen. But executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, who helped translate Britain’s Pop Idol into the Fox version that debuted in 2002, said the farewell episode will be memorable.
“It’s going to be a rather spectacular show,” Lythgoe promised, with all the former winners on hand along with past contestants and “other surprises” in the two-hour finale.
“It’s about the American idols, about reminding people of 15 seasons,” he said, as well as giving the final winner his or her share of the spotlight.
The contenders for the title are finalists MacKenzie Bourg, 23, of Lafayette, La.; Trent Harmon, 24, of Amory, Miss.; La’Porsha Renae, 22, of McComb, Miss.; and Dalton Rapattoni, 19, of Dallas.
The field will have been trimmed to three for the final competition episode, 8-9 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, with the winner announced the next night, 8-10:06 p.m. Lythgoe, who exited the series in 2013, returned to produce the concluding night’s broadcast.
Clarkson, the inaugural Idol, is set to perform, as are Underwood and the other winners including Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Jordin Sparks and Scotty McCreery. Among the many contestants taking part: Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Elliott Yamin and LaToya London.
Past Idol finales became known for flaunting superstars, perhaps none more important than Prince. His performance in the 2006 season-ender signaled that the show had transcended its image as overblown karaoke and become a respectable showcase for established artists.
But Lythgoe downplays the importance of celebrities as part of the finale — or the show. “It isn’t about big stars coming on and singing their record. American Idol was never about that. It was about the young stars we created,” he said.
Lythgoe can’t avoid a bit of impish humor involving a certain pair of divas, former judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, who famously clashed during their shared 2013 tenure.
“I’ve invited them back to the finale to sing That’s What Friends Are For,” he said.
Current judges Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban will help usher the show out.
Before the finale, Fox is stoking nostalgia with American Idol: American Dream, a 90-minute special airing at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Host Ryan Seacrest, original judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson and former contestants will be among those reminiscing and sharing insider tidbits.
Season seven contestant David Hernandez already is feeling a sense of loss. “I only really associate great memories with being on that show,” he said.