American Idol 2016. In May 2017, ABC acquired the rights to the series and the program would return for the 2017–18 television season. The show had originally planned on having four judges following the "Pop Idol" format; however, only three judges had been found by the time of the audition round in the first season, namely Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. A fourth judge, radio DJ Stryker, was originally chosen but he dropped out citing "image concerns". In the second season, New York radio personality Angie Martinez had been hired as a fourth judge but withdrew only after a few
The American Idol Experience Ryan Seacrest, judge Paula Abdul and "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller. "The American Idol Experience" has been promoted by winners of the "American Idol" from Season seven onwards by appearing in commercials and announcing "I'm going to Disney World!". In June 2014, Disney announced that the show would close in January 2015, then two months later they moved up the closure date to the end of August 2014. The show's final performances were on August 30, 2014. Park guests age 14 and older auditioned before a Disney "casting director" who judged singers based on their ability to sing and perform