Why is 'American Idol' Season 19 Episode 16 not airing this week? Here's when the ABC show returns

There are no more episodes scheduled for this month. Here's where you can stream previous episodes of the reality show
UPDATED APR 27, 2021
Lionel Richie, Harry Connick Jr., Katy Perry, Luke Bryan on 'American Idol' (ABC)
Lionel Richie, Harry Connick Jr., Katy Perry, Luke Bryan on 'American Idol' (ABC)

'American Idol' is on a break, one that is about to last for thirteen days. There is no show tonight and the 93rd Academy Awards will air in the same slot as the singing reality show. This is the first time that the show is going on a break this season after the last episode premiered on Monday, April 19. There won't be a fresh episode on Monday, April 26 as well. Instead, 'Sesame Street: 50 Years of Sunny Days' will be airing in the 8 pm slot. 

Over last week's two episodes, audiences saw the Top 9 being announced at the end of exhilarating performances by the Top 12 lineup. Fan-favorite artists Ava August, Beane, and Madison Watkins were sent home due to lack of votes from the American audiences. The elimination was not well received by fans who vowed to stop watching the show in light of their favorites being eliminated. 

RELATED ARTICLES

Who is Nick Merico? Luke Bryan BOOED for telling 'American Idol' contestant his vocals aren't 'good enough'

'American Idol' Season 18 star Arthur Gunn wows with 'Iris', fans say he's 'the only comeback artist we need'

Ava August in the all star solos and duets round in 'American Idol' (ABC)

Fans blame judges for Ava August's ouster from the show

Ava had a promising run on the show delivering performances that always helped her garner praise from all three judges as well as audiences watching from home. She was considered to be a frontrunner by many fans including judges who said she sang beyond her age, 15, and is set for greater achievements with her voice. Angry fans took to Twitter to criticize judges for not giving Ava the right criticism which they believe led to her elimination.

"Very, very unfair that the judges asked her to stay in the classic mode and then criticized her tonight for not being more of a "kid." I believe they cost her a spot in the final nine. Too bad... she is fantastic!" read a tweet. "The judges screwed Ava August by constantly reminding viewers that she was only 15 years old. They were also more critical of her than anyone else. They simply didn't want a 15 year old winning the show," another fan tweeted. "I just wish the judges had pushed her to stretch where she fell short instead of just praising her. They did her a disservice. If they had given her direction I believe she'd have used it wisely and gone farther," tweeted another fan. 

Ava August was eliminated from 'American Idol' in the Top 12 round on April 18, 2021 (ABC)


 



 



 

When will 'American Idol' Season 19 return with new episodes?

A new episode of 'American Idol' will return on Sunday, May 2 at 8 pm ET on ABC. The episode will reveal the name of the wildcard contestants from Season 18 who will join the current lot of singers to contend for the winning title. If social media buzz is anything to go by, Season 18's runner up Dibesh Pokharel aka Arthur Gunn will make it back on the show. His rendition of the Goo Goo Dolls' classic 'Iris' was deemed as the best performance of the Second Chance performances episode. Revisit it by clicking on the video below.

For audiences that wish to steam previous episodes, you can watch 'American Idol' on FuboTV and Sling TV. Episodes are also available to watch on ABC.com



 

RELATED TOPICS AMERICAN IDOL (2002) ABC TV NETWORK

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Hulu has greenlit the series order for the drama based on Jack Jordan's 2023 book of the same name
10 hours ago
‘Suits LA’ and ‘Arrow’ star steps into the ‘Baywatch’ reboot as Hobie Buchannon, launching a new generation of lifeguards on Fox
22 hours ago
Nicolas Cage’s ‘Spider-Noir’ teaser offers a gripping look at the hero’s dark powers, gritty world and high-stakes battles in 1930s New York.
1 day ago
Apple TV+’s ‘Off Weeks’ adds four notable actors in recurring roles, expanding an already star-studded lineup led by Ben Stiller and Jessica Chastain.
1 day ago
Andrew Bird debuts a new song in ‘The Pitt’ Season 2, adding emotional depth to the medical drama’s evolving soundtrack.
1 day ago
'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' showrunner Ira Parker admitted a pivotal Dunk moment from the source novella was unintentionally left out.
1 day ago
A high-profile romance, public pressure, and a final flight that changed everything now returns to the spotlight on Hulu
1 day ago
TV veteran lands the iconic detective role as NBC revives ‘The Rockford Files’ for a modern primetime comeback
1 day ago
The upcoming Prime Video series 'Off Campus' is a TV adaptation of Elle Kennedy's best-selling novels and will stream in May.
1 day ago
Season 51 of ‘Saturday Night Live’ returns post-Olympics with a fresh wave of hosts and musical surprises
1 day ago