One-time star ‘American Idol’ tries for a second act on ABC

In its heyday, “American Idol” dominated television and online chatter. It even inspired a New Yorker cartoonist.

“The voices in my head want to sing on ‘American Idol,” a patient confides to his shrink in a 2006 Leo Cullum panel, proof of its cultural imprint.

Two years after the singing contest ended its run on Fox amid dwindling ratings and steep production costs, it’s getting the chance to prove itself again in an ABC version debuting 8 p.m. EST Sunday. In the early episodes, the show is marginally revised and instantly familiar.

This “American Idol” retains the show’s original host, Ryan Seacrest, along with the same logo and production companies. Also intact is the goal of finding a music star – one such as Carrie Underwood, who built a blockbuster career after winning “Idol” in 2005 and whose voice-over opens the ABC show.

The reboot’s early episodes include pre-taped auditions held in cities including New York; Savannah, Georgia; Los Angeles and New Orleans. We see, as before, crowds of would-be contestants eager to prove they have what it takes for a “golden ticket to Hollywood” and next-round tryouts.

“There’s been a lot of talk about how is this show different,” Seacrest said at a news conference with next-generation judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. “You’ve got three different faces. You have different contestants. But to change the show drastically in terms of format, I think, would be a mistake.”