Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan at the American Idol Top 40 Showcase in Hawaii. (ABC Photo)

American Idol has nixed its plans to air the pre-taped Top 40 Showcase Sunday and Monday nights.

Instead, the Sunday episode will air as planned, from 8 to 10 p.m. on ABC.

The second part will air next Sunday, from 8 to 10 p.m.

It’s all part of the show’s attempt to deal with the coronavirus situation. Live shows were supposed to begin airing next Sunday, but all tapings were postponed for the time being.

American Idol is also buying itself some time by planning clip shows profiling the Top 20 contestants.

Those will air Sunday, April 12, and Sunday, April 19, featuring footage that was already shot but hasn’t aired.

This year’s Top 40 include the following singers:

Top 40

Females (23): Aliana Jester, Amber Fiedler, Amelia Joyce, Camryn Leigh Smith, Cyniah Elise, DemiRae Moreno, Faith Becnel, Geena Fontanella, Genavieve Linkowski, Grace Leer, Grace Lundy, Julia Gargano, Kimmy Gabriela, Lauren Mascitti, Lauren Spencer-Smith, Makayla Brownlee, Makayla Phillips, Natalie Jane , Olivia Ximines, Perrin York, Samantha “Sam” Diaz (aka Just Sam), Shannon Gibbons, Sophia Wackerman

Males (17): Bilaal Avaz, Cameron Havens, Devon Alexander, DeWayne Crocker Jr., Arthur Gunn, Dillon James, Elyjuh René, Francisco Martin, Franklin Boone, Jeb VonderBruegge, Jonny West, Jordan Jones, Jovin Webb, Louis “Louie” Knight, Nick Merico, Rob Taylor, Travis Finlay

Idol has also leaked two of the Top 40 performances, presumably ones that will air Sunday night.

The include Dillon James singing Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A Changin’” and Camryn Leigh Smith performing Tasha Cobbs’ “Break Every Chain.”

The clip below featuring Camryn even reveals whether or not she advances.