How, HOW, will America ever find another pop singer? And what on earth will I do on Sundays at 5pm? The news is true, folks – American Idols has been cancelled.

The 15th and final season will begin in January (there’s still plenty of time then to ween yourself off the show by watching past seasons), but the big question, I think, is why Fox decided to cancel such a prosperous show.

Fox chairmen and CEOs Gary Newman and Dana Walden said on Monday at a press conference:

You know, it was not an easy decision. American Idol has been such a vital part of Fox for its run, and we spent a lot of time talking with producers about the future of American Idol and collectively we arrived at the conclusion that it was time to bring the show to an end.
Idol had been the No. 1 show on broadcast for eight seasons. It was a collective decision that the right way to send this show out is right in the time period it has been for the last [few] years. It still has a great deal of popularity in viewing, and we’re going to deliver a special season.

Idols peaked its popularity in 2006, with 36 million viewers watching the season finale. The latest season saw a series-low at 11.6 million. You can see why the decision has been made. Oh, also, their leading sponsor, Coca-Cola, pulled out a few months ago.

The ultimate season will be worth watching though. The network has promised an exciting run of events…

A season-long celebratory event, American Idol XV will feature host Ryan Seacrest and judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., as they search for the final Idol superstar and pay tribute to the past 14 seasons of amazingly talented contestants and the millions of fans who tweeted, texted and championed their Idols.

Does this mean a Kelly Clarkson/Philip Philips mashup? Oh, please, please! Will they let Adam Lambert back on stage?

Does this mean South African Idol will come to an end??

[Source: Entertainment Weekly]