Why is 'American Idol' Season 19 Episode 16 not airing this week? Here's when the ABC show returns
'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.
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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.
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!
— lee Adair (@leeAdair7) April 19, 2021
#AmericanIdol
— Cliffman 💥🌈⭐🌊 (@NHarris956) April 19, 2021
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.
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.
— cilantroisoverrated (@bunniferated) April 19, 2021
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