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For more than 30 years, John Kiesewetter has been the source for information about all things in local media — comings and goings, local people appearing on the big or small screen, special programs, and much more. Contact John at johnkiese@yahoo.com.

Preparing For Life After ‘American Idol’

Fox Broadcasting

As the final season starts for “American Idol” (8-10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday on Channel 19, Fox) the stars of Fox’s singing competition are busy preparing for life after the show.

Judge Jennifer Lopez debuts her new NBC police drama, “Shades of Blue,” on Thursday (10 p.m. Jan. 7, Channel 5, NBC). Among the producers is “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest.

Credit NBCUniversal
Jennifer Lopez as Detective Harlee Santos

A Bronx native, Lopez  plays Brooklyn detective Harlee Santos working as a FBI informant providing info on her boss, Lt. Matt Wozniak (Ray Liotta, “Goodfellas,” “Field of Dreams”), known for breaking the rules.

Harlee, a single mother, is caught in the middle between Wozniak, who’s consumed with finding the snitch, and FBI handler Special Agent Stahl (Warren Kole), “who develops an unhealthy obsession with her,” NBC says.

 Judge Harry Connick Jr. is planning a daytime TV talk show for fall.  “Harry” will be more like “Ellen” than the other issue-oriented daytime talk programs. Showcasing Connick’s acting and musical talents, Variety  calls the show “a mix of musical performance segments, field pieces, comedic sketches and audience participation.”

Credit Fox Broadcasting
Harry Connick Jr.

Judge Keith Urban will take his guitar to the Carolina Country Music Fest at Myrtle Beach, S.C., on June 10, and also perform at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Gilford, NH, on July 2. Those are the only tour dates listed on his website.

Ryan Seacrest has parlayed hosting “Idol” all 15 seasons into a busy TV production company. In addition to “Shades of Blue,” Seacrest produces “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “Shahs of Sunset,” “Knock Knock Live,” “E! Live from the Red Carpet” specials and those “Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” shows on ABC.

So it’s no surprise that Kim Kardashian and her husband, Kanye West, just happened to show up at “Idol” auditions last fall in San Francisco for the 15th and final season.

Due to falling ratings in recent years, "Idol" will wrap up in April instead of the final week of May sweeps. 

Credit Fox Broadcasting
Ryan Seacrest greets Kanye West while Kim Kardashian watches.

John Kiesewetter, who has covered television and media for more than 35 years, has been working for Cincinnati Public Radio and WVXU-FM since 2015.