Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Ryan Seacrest will be returning to American Idol in 2018. (FOX Photo)

But the network confirmed Thursday that Ryan Seacrest will be back as host when the show debuts on ABC in the spring of next year.

Surprised?

I doubt it.

Thursday’s announcement was actually made by Kelly Ripa on this morning’s “Live with Kelly and Ryan” and followed month’s of speculation that Seacrest would return.

Tweeted Ryan: “Reuniting with an old flame. So excited to see u again 🙂 @AmericanIdol”

The key here is whether fans will be excited by the rebirth of American Idol, with or without Ryan, after just one year off the air.

Two key pieces of the 2018 American Idol puzzle are now in place, with Katy Perry also signed on as a judge.

Her reaction to the announcement: “I’m spicy, @RyanSeacrest is seasoned❗️All the right ingredients are coming together on @AmericanIdol,” she tweeted.

Of course, two more judges are still needed.

Auditions for American Idol 2018 begin next months with a West Coast and East Coast bus tour. Pittsburgh and Annapolis, Md., are among the audition sites.