Kevin Winter/ImageDirect via Getty Images
The show's host, Ryan Seacrest, stated after the news that "'American Idol' has been a big part of my life for so long, it's frankly hard to imagine it without it."
But while Seacrest has been a part of the show for 15 seasons, his season one co-host, Brian Dunkleman, wasn't as lucky.
Dunkleman left the show after its initial season in 2002 to pursue stand-up comedy and acting. Meanwhile, "Idol" went on to become one of the most successful TV shows of all time and made Seacrest a millionaire many times over.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
I knew American Idol would never last without me #CANCELLED
- brian dunkleman (@briandunkleman) May 11, 2015
Retweeted by @joshgroban and @JasonBiggs It's all happening.#WormTurning
- brian dunkleman (@briandunkleman) May 11, 2015
Thanks Twitter.That was fun.#gratitude
- brian dunkleman (@briandunkleman) May 12, 2015
Michael Buckner/Getty Images
In Fox's press call announcing the cancelation on Monday, network execs promised the show's final season would be full of "surprises we can have for the fans to make it feel special."
What kinds of surprises? Fox is still in discussions, but co-chairman and co-CEO Dana Walden said former show judges had already expressed interest in making appearances during the final season. When Brian Dunkleman was suggested by a reporter on the call, Walden responded, "Yes! Where's Brian nowadays? If you give me his number, I will call and invite him."
Dunkleman regularly jokes about his time on "Idol" on Twitter:
"@Idol360: Hi @brianDunkleman pic.twitter.com/a6c7OHO1nK" - thanks for the reminder
- brian dunkleman (@briandunkleman) June 11, 2013
Woo hoo!!! pic.twitter.com/hVCN62QC
- brian dunkleman (@briandunkleman) November 17, 2012
I'm so much more than this, Twitter pic.twitter.com/mD0zSpER5Y
- brian dunkleman (@briandunkleman) September 18, 2014