Fox Finally Takes American Idol Behind the Shed

Thirteen years after it began, American Idol is finally, finally, finally ending.

The iconic singing competition, which launched the careers of Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and Jennifer Hudson — as well as the brief political life of Clay Aiken — will wrap up after its 15th season, airing later this year. The AP pins the cancellation on the “dwindl[ing] and ag[ing]” audience, which is an apt characterization for a show that’s been on the air since I was 13. (What was popular in 2002, again? Flip phones? The belief that we could invade Iraq without any long-term consequences? Trucker hats? Man, 2002 was awful.)

Singers Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr., and Keith Urban will be judges for the final season, and we’re all just gonna sit here and think about how much we miss Simon Cowell.

[Image via Fox]

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