Lionel Richie & 'American Idol' Showrunners Hope the Finale Performances Inspire Fans 'To Help and Support Each Other'

Jessica Kiang Turning a deeply serious, controversial incident in recent German history into a bouncy, beat-the-odds character comedy is a brave move. Thanks in large part to the extrovert likability of German-Turkish star Meltem Kaptan — well-known in Germany as a comedian and TV presenter — Andreas Dresen’s “Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W.

Piers Morgan” on Good Morning Britain.Several viewers have made the comparison since Richard took on a more frequent position on the show and his polarising comments often create a stir.Most recently, Richard’s on-air views regarding whether politicians getting death threats is a “big deal” sparked uproar and one Twitter user, named Matthew, compared Richard to Piers Morgan “wrapped in woolly, comical jibes”.Following the remarks, Richard fiercely told Express.co.uk: “I am part of a team, I am not, I repeat NOT the new or next Piers Morgan.“I am me. I’m doing it my way.”Richard has appeared on GMB since 2017, first as a stand-in for Piers when he was away.Following the former host's departure last year, Richard has taken on a more permanent role and steers the show on a rotational basis from Monday to Wednesday most weeks.On whether he would consider taking on Piers’ old job, Richard states he already does “quite enough”.He explained: “It’s not my full-time job, I'm there two to three weeks out of four, usually three days of a week.“I don’t do it to the extent Piers did when he was on.

West Ham supremo Karen Brady has sensationally called time on grizzly Porto and Portugal centre back Pepe’s career.Pepe, no stranger to controversy, was red carded in the midst of a 40-man brawl after Porto’s gripping 2-2 draw with title rivals Sporting.He received his marching orders after an altercation with former Newcastle man Hugo Viana.But reports from Portuguese newspaper A Bola allege that the 38-year-old then aimed a kick at a Sporting director, which could lead to a ban of up to two years.Brady, writing in The Sun, said: “There must have been 50 men involved and eventually four players received red cards (another was sent off earlier). One of them was Pepe, gesticulating, accusing and threatening.“He hasn’t much of a football career left.

Scott Disick and Sofia Richie are reportedly taking a break from their relationship following his recent stint in rehab.

Sofia Richie was glimpsed hobnobbing with a female pal in Malibu this Thursday.The 21-year-old daughter of Lionel Richie could be spotted showing off her knockout legs in a pair of bike shorts.Sweeping her hair back into a ponytail, the half-sister of Nicole Richie added some dazzle to her look with hoops and bracelets. Stepping out:Sofia Richie was glimpsed hobnobbing with a female pal in Malibu this ThursdayHer latest outing comes amid a storm of rumors that she is taking a break from her romance with her 36-year-old boyfriend Scott Disick.Scott entered a posh rehab in the Rocky Mountains late last month but then exited the facility after less than a week.

Sofia Richie is standing by Scott Disick through rehab.There had been rumors that Richie, 21, had already moved on from Disick, 36, after he abruptly exited his high-end rehab facility in Colorado earlier this month, where he had been staying to work on 'past traumas' in his life.The daughter of Lionel Richie has been seen enjoying herself in recent weeks with friends in Malibu, but a new report by E! News claims that while it's been 'hard' on the model seeing Disick in a 'vulnerable state' - she is still 'standing by him.' Standing by her man:E! News claims Sofia Richie, 21, is 'standing by' boyfriend Scott Disick, 36, after his recent rehab stintA source tells the outlet: 'She has been giving Scott space to figure out his next steps, but

Sofia Richie and Scott Disick were doing their own thing on Wednesday.Sofia was seen out with friends, enjoying a relaxing stroll down Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, while her boyfriend, 36, spent some quality time with his daughter Penelope.The daughter of Lionel Richie, 21, stayed safe in style as she strode down the beautiful road in a tie-dye sweatshirt and face mask. Hitting her stride!Sofia Richie and Scott Disick were doing their own thing on WednesdayOn top of her anti-COVID-19 gear, she also wore a black cap and shades, further protecting her complexion.Sofia put on a leggy display as she soaked up the sunshine in taupe biker shorts, while comfortably enjoying her lengthy stroll in white sneakers.

Lionel Richie sure gives the best advice.   While catching up with E!'s Lilliana Vazquez and his American Idol co-judges Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, the "All Night Long" singer gave Perry, who is expecting her first child with fiancé Orlando Bloom, a little tidbit of parenting advice as they discussed the reality show's season 18 finale exclusively with E! News.  "Get a helmet," he joked.

When we first saw Just Sam auditioning for American Idol, the 20-year-old subway singer from Harlem seemed both shy and incredibly confident at the same time. Singing "You Say" by Lauren Daigle, she stumbled out of the gate and started over, the look of intense concentration on her face giving way to a flood of embarrassed tears as Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie enveloped her in a group hug and promised her she'd be OK.

Luke Bryan performed his new track “One Margarita” during Sunday’s “American Idol”.

High hopes for 2021! Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie opened up about wanting to return as judges for season 19 of American Idol.

A stay-at-home celebration is not what anyone involved with American Idol ordered off the menu, be they contestants, judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan or host Ryan Seacrest. Still, 2020 threw the world a curveball, and so here we are.

Lionel Richie performed his iconic song -- We Are The World -- on television for the first time in 35 years.The new rendition, which is the second remake since the 1985 original, closed out the season 18 finale of American Idol on Sunday, May 17.Richie was joined by fellow Idol judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, along with season 18 contestants and some iconic alumni of past years.Scroll down to video Iconic: Lionel Richie performed his classic song -- We Are The World -- on television for the first

Just Sam was named the winner of season 18 of American Idol on Sunday during a remotely-filmed finale that featured a performance by pregnant judge Katy Perry.The 21-year-old subway singer from Harlem, New York City took the title following viewer voting during the two-hour live show on ABC.Sam in Los Angeles celebrated away from host Ryan Seacrest, 45, and judges Katy, 35, Lionel Richie, 70, and Luke Bryan, 43, with a tablet connecting the singer to her beloved grandmother in New York City.

If you lived through the ‘80s, you’ll remember “We Are The World” was just about the biggest number of them all. Featuring a “Dream Team” of pop stars, the song dropped in 1985 to shine a light on famine in Africa.

Katy Perry and Luke Bryan joined Lionel Richie to perform “We are the World” to close out the “American Idol” finale.

Los Angeles County health officials are still advising residents to resist the urge to visit family and friends, even as they relax some restrictions during shelter-in-place orders.However Sofia Richie appeared to throw caution to the wind on Saturday, when the 21-year-old visited friends - while looking as chic as ever.The model daughter of Lionel Richie flashed her toned midriff in a desert red one shoulder crop top.

Nobody has ever had to figure out how to pull together an all-star reality singing competition finale when literally nobody on your show is in the same place. Until now. So leave it to American Idol showrunner/executive producer Trish Kinane and her ninja team of fellow producers and dedicated crew to make the most of an admittedly terrible situation in the lead-up to Sunday night's (May 17) all-star season 18 finale.

American Idol will be returning for a fourth season.The series has been picked up by ABC and will be coming back for season four (officially its 19th season), Variety reports. No premiere date was announced.The talent contest has been forced to film episodes remotely amid the coronavirus pandemic where studio productions are no longer allowed to limit the spread of the disease.

American Idol continues its second life on ABC. Ahead of the season three finale, ABC announced the singing competition series will return for a fourth season.

By Joe Otterson