Key Points
Original American Idol judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson joined Monday’s episode for a 20-year reunion of the show’s class of 2006.
They were joined by former contestants including Kellie Pickler, Taylor Hicks, and Bucky Covington.
While Jackson mentored the five remaining contestants, Abdul joined current judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan in evaluating performances.
It was feeling a lot like 2006 on Monday’s episode of American Idol.
Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson both sat on the judging panel that year — they’d been judges since the show premiered in 2002, in fact — and were there again, alongside original host Ryan Seacrest. Only former judge Simon Cowell was missing for the event, which had a theme of “Class of 2006.”
Former contestants who belted out songs that year, including Kellie Pickler (in a rare appearance these days), as well Taylor Hicks and Bucky Covington, were scheduled to be in the house for a 20-year reunion.
Jackson served as a mentor to the final five contestants: Hannah Harper, Jordan McCullough, Keyla Richardson, Braden Rumfelt, and Chris Tungseth. He met with them in rehearsals, advising them on the best way to present themselves.
“Straight Up” singer Abdul joined judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood in offering evaluations of the live performances. The first round was accompanied with performances by Dancing With the Stars pros.
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Abdul began crying when Seacrest asked her what it was like to be back, after the two said they adored one another.
“I’m just so happy to be at my old home and to see some of my children that are now grown and have kids, and meeting the new hopefuls,” Abdul said. “I hope all of you have the best time ever and leave your heart out there.”
She then turned to Underwood beside her, said “Carrie,” and broke into tears. The women shared a hug, and the show went on.
While working with Jackson, finalist Hannah Harper said she was “terrified” by the prospect of working with him. She had seen how brutally honest he could be when he was on the show. She was worried she was going to be “ripped to shreds,” she told him.
Not all his feedback for her was positive. He tried to talk her out of doing the song she initially chose: Peggy Lee‘s “Fever.” Harper resisted, though, and received positive feedback.
“I thought it was incredible,” Bryan said. “I thought it was so uniquely different for you. It was sexy. It was sultry. I needed a martini while I was watching. But I loved that it was not what we expected from you. Way to surprise us.”
Both Abdul and Jackson starred on American Idol when it premiered. She left the series in 2009, following the eighth season and a salary dispute.
Jackson, who famously used the word “dawg” while breaking bad news to contestants, left in 2013, after season 12. He said he planned to focus on other business ventures.
At the end of the nostalgic night, the roster of five singers from the current season 24 was trimmed to three: Keyla Richardson, Hannah Harper, and Jordan McCullough. Braden Rumfelt and Chris Tungseth were eliminated.
The finalists will be back on stage for the finale on May 11 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
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