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
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



 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Chicago Fire’ star Taylor Kinney shares the date for the franchise’s next crossover, which will bring all three NBC dramas together
2026-11-12T08:52:55.000Z
James Reynolds reveals his Parkinson’s diagnosis and explains why ‘Days of Our Lives’ is bringing it into Abe Carver’s storyline
2026-11-12T08:23:38.000Z
Charlie Vickers and his ‘The Rings of Power’ co-stars hint at Sauron’s next move and the Season 3 moments that left even the cast struggling for words
2026-11-12T07:50:09.000Z
Nearly three decades after their 1997 horror film, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Phillippe are sharing the screen again, this time in the ‘9-1-1’ franchise
2026-11-12T06:55:17.000Z
The Hulu spinoff follows nine MomTok creators in California, with Jen Affleck as the lone original star
2026-11-12T05:10:11.000Z
FX’s comedy series ‘Adults’ follows five friends sharing a home in Queens as they navigate adulthood
2026-11-12T04:36:21.000Z
‘Chicago Fire’ Season 15 Episode 6 introduces Violet’s estranged mother, whose unexpected return comes with devastating news
2026-11-12T04:24:26.000Z
A leadership change at DC Studios left the status of the Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre series in question
2026-11-12T04:05:49.000Z
'Chicago Med' Season 12 Episode 6, titled 'Lessons in Chemistry,' sees Freddy return to sign Margaret's estate papers alongside Charles
2026-11-12T03:18:28.000Z
Netflix’s ‘The Body’ explores teenage identity, friendship and repression, with its creators drawing inspiration from their own school years.
2026-11-12T03:00:28.000Z