American Idol Previews Its New Socially Distanced Set

This sneak peek at the Season 4 premiere of American Idol gives us some insight into how they're going to handle the singing competition in the COVID era. Last season ended completely virtually, but this Sunday they'll be back on set and Lionel Richie is even wearing a mask that says "HELLO" on it, just in case you didn't know who he was.

"The fact that we get to see the contestants and feel the contestants' energy, I think that will bring the spirit and the life back to American Idol that people look for and know it for," host Ryan Seacrest notes.

American Idol returns Sunday, Feburary 14 at 8:00 PM ET on Fox.

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Andy Hunsaker has a head full of sitcom gags and nerd-genre lore, and can be followed @AndyHunsaker if you're into that sort of thing.