More 'American Idol' alumni are reacting to the news that it is coming to an end while Fox looks at 'Empire' to fill the void.
More of American Idol’s famous alumni are reacting to the show coming to an end in 2016.
Read: Clay Aiken on 'American Idol' Ending: 'It Was About the Kid Next Door Making it Big'
Paula Abdul was one of the American Idol’s original judges. INSIDE EDITION caught up with her as Fox network promoted its fall season.
She said, “I'm blessed and honored to have been there since day one, since it started and watched how it changed the trajectory of television.”
Nigel Lithgow was once Idol's Executive Producer. He told INSIDE EDITION, “I think it's the right time to take it off. I've been likening it to a professional heavyweight boxer. At some point you've got to know when to retire so you don't get the young dude coming up and knocking you out. Go away with the legacy you have.”
Read: 'American Idol' to End in 2016
Lithgow continued saying, “The impact that it made from 2002 onward in this country was phenomenal. And I don't think we'll see anything like this again from a television program.”
As Fox bids farewell to American Idol, the network has high hopes that Empire will fill the void.
It was the hottest show on TV last season and Fox has upped season two from 12 to 18 episodes.
INSIDE EDITION spoke with the show’s star Taraji P. Henson at the Fox Upfronts in New York.
She said, “I'm mostly proud of being part of a project that is touching people in a way, and forcing people to have conversations that might make them uncomfortable. And it's on national television.”
Watch Below: 'American Idol' Will End in 2016 with Ratings Steadily Declining
