Algator. How she kept her cool and used a littleknown trick. First the nightline 5. Wish your skin could bounce back like it used to this newt regina hydro boost water gel. It plumps skin cells with intense hydration and locks it in. For supple, hydrated skin. Hydro boost from neutrogena. Meta appetite control. Its your glass of will power that helps keep cravings far, far away. The natural fiber and clinically proven meta appetite control from metamucil. Number one in just 60 seconds. Good evening. Thanks for joining us. Tonight an historic shakeup in washington. Ec President Trump firing fbi director james comey, citing his mishandling of the investigation into Hillary Clintons emails. But stirring criticism and questions about the fbis investigation into the Trump Campaigns allege ties with russia. Heres abcs david wright with the fallout. Reporter tonight fbi director james comey was out in los angeles for a recruitment event for new agents. Unaware, it would seem, that in washington excuse my breath, i just ran out here to bring you this news coming out of the white house. President trump has just fired the director of the fbi. Reporter comey is out. Abruptly fired by his boss, president donald trump. You are hereby terminated and removed from Office Effective immediately. Reporter as fbi director comey was accused by the democrats of helping trump win. More recently, hes been a thorn in trumps side. In charge of the highprofile probe into russian meddling in and possible links between moscow and the Trump Campaign. Comeys sudden departure now clears the way for the president to name his successor. Its an historic day at the white house. The firing of an fbi director by a president is an extraordinarily rare event. It hasnt happened for nearly a quarter of a century. There were a lot of democrats over the course of the summer who would have been thrilled to see james comey go. But now, to see him go as hes now looking towards the trump administration, rather than the clinton state department, i think is something that people are finding quite fishy. Reporter the president does not cite the russia investigation as a reason for comeys dismissal. Instead the white house suggests comey fell short of fbi standards. Trump called the bureau one of our nations most cherished and respected institutions and today will mark a new beginning for our crown jewel of law enforcement. Donald trump with cnns anderson cooper. Its not a coverup. The president makes clear in his letter the fact that mr. Comey on at least three occasions assured the president he is not under investigation. This had nothing to do with russia, as much as somebody must be getting 50 every time the word is said, im convinced. Reporter press Secretary Sean Spicer says trump took the advice of the Deputy Attorney general, rod rosenstein. He determined the fbi director lost his confidence. He forwarded that recommendation to the attorney general. The president agreed with it. Reporter by all accounts comey was taken aback by the news. Caught flatfooted is how one agent described it. He told us the news popped up on the tv screens as comey was speaking. And suddenly everyones phones exploded. He was not expecting to be fired. In fact, the fbi director talked about how he planned to complete his 10year term, which has more than six years left on it. Now he finds himself a man without a job. That bizarre scene at the los angeles airport. Paparazzi in the recording him about to fly back to washington. Reporter less than a week ago, spicer said the president stood by comey. The president has confidence in the director. Reporter today he wouldnt repeat that statement. Not without checking with his boss. The last time you talked about it you said he did have confidence. Youre not sure, say that again now . In light of what youre telling me i dont want to start speaking on behalf of the president without speaking to him first. Reporter comey has landed himself in yet another controversy over Hillary Clintons emails. The focus of so much turmoil during the campaign. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth reporter testifying last week before a joint senate committee, comey was at pains to explain his reopening of the clinton email investigation during the final ten days of the campaign. After a new trove of clintons emails turned up on a computer shared by clintons top aide, huma abedin, and her disgraced husband, anthony weiner. Had a regular practice of forwards emails to him, hundreds of thousands, some of which contained classified information. Reporter today the fbi admitted comeys testimony was inaccurate saying only a small number of emails were forwarded by abedin and none of the forwarded emails were marked classified. A small number of them, however, contained information that was later deemed classified. Most of the others were emails the fbi had already seen. Backed up from abedins blackberry. Comeys handling of that investigation became a huge source of controversy. First, last july he anger the republicans by taking the unprecedented step of announcing the investigation was over. We are expressing to justice our view that no charges are appropriate in this case. Reporter candidate trump expressed outrage. But trump gave comey credit after the fbi reopened its investigation into clintons emails. It took guts. For director comey to make move that he made in light of the kind of opposition he had. Reporter comey closed the investigation again three days before voters went to the polls. But the damage was done. Look, this is terrible. It majors me mildly nauseous to think that we might have had some impact on the election. But honestly, it wouldnt change the decision. Reporter when comey and trump first came face to face with each other after the inauguration hes become more famous than me. Reporter comeys job seemed safe. Family or not, democrats blamed comey for costing them the white house. Heres what Hillary Clinton herself told Cnns Christiane Amanpour last week. If the election was october, i would be your president. But it wasnt. I was on the way of winning until the combination of jim comeys letter on october 28th and russian wikileaks raised doubts in the minds of people who were inclined to vote for me but got scared off. Former campaign manager, robby mook, told cecilia vega the president should not have fired comey. I think were all so blown away at the gall that he would do this, how it appears he is simply holding himself above the law. This is about the future of the fbis investigation into russia, thats what concerns you the most . Thats what deeply concerns me. Under our system, the president is not above the law. He cant fire somebody investigating him. Reporter voters were aware of the russia probe before the election but not aware of the possible involvement by trump associates, including the attorney general, jeff sessions. Therefore i will recuse myself in the matters that deal with the Trump Campaign reporter thats why democrats now say its not right for the attorney general to recommend firing comey. The fbi director serves at the pleasure of the president. But his 10year term gives him independence and power. The last time an fbi director was fired was nearly 25 years ago. 1993. The first year of the clinton administration. Bill clinton ousted william sessions over ethical concerns. Tonight democrats are renewing their calls for a special prosecutor to take over the russia investigation. Were these investigations getting too close to home for the president . Reporter tonight the president mocked crying Chuck Schumer for his sudden fondness for comey, hash tag drain the swamp. Members of both parties are calling for a select committee in congress. We should have a select committee. Reporter other republicans are falling in line with the president saying, its his prerogative. I was surprised. I didnt see it coming. Its a decision for the president to make. Reporter the rule of law and the chain of command are not necessarily one and the same. I think for most americans, this is a very puzzling situation. And praised by both parties. So what are the American Voters supposed to think . Reporter we still dont know what comey thinks of all this. Hes now headed back from l. A. On the fbis private jet. Im david wright for nightline in new york. Up next, the triumphant return of American Idol. A look back at the shows biggest stars. Ming back on my longterm control medicine. I talked to my doctor and found a missing piece in my asthma treatment with breo. Oncedaily breo prevents asthma symptoms. 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Its the show that made simon cowell a household name. Kelly clarkson. Yep, American Idol. It changed the face of music and reality television, and now its back. Promising to be bigger and better than ever before. Can they pull it off . And this is American Idol here we go reporter after 15 seasons on another network, last years swan song for American Idol included a cryptic signoff at the finale from host ryan seacrest. Good night, america. For now. Reporter did he know something we didnt . Drumroll. Reporter because it was just today announcement week reveal right here abc is bringing American Idol back. Reporter thats right. Our tears had only just begun to dry. It wasnt a goodbye, it was kind of a so long, farewell, see you soon. I have not missed it. But i will watch it again. Reporter immediately hollywoods abuzz with potential judges. And who might host . Seacrest about a possible repeat performance. Typically i really only save prayers for world peace and people who are very sick and stuff like that. But i am im going to start a prayer circle. Because i was like your original fan. I would love to see a woman in the position. And love to see a mom who is also a comedian. That can also carry a tune reporter American Idol was a show stopper and a game changer, the highestrated show on television for eight consecutive seasons. More than 36 Million Viewers at its peak, it gave contestants a truly national launching pad. People watched because you never knew if that next contestant might just take off. Was like this giant cinderella story. Everybody knew Kelly Clarkson had been a was a superstar. The winner is Kelly Clarkson. Reporter clarkson was an unknown singer from texas when she won season one of American Idol. Moments like this reporter millions of albums and three grammys later, shes a bona fide star. With hits like stronger. And since youve been gone. I cant breathe from the start i thought Kelly Clarkson was a great singer. Shes a very strong person. And that really came through in the career that shes had ever since. Reporter and who doesnt love Carrie Underwood . Taking a smoke break. Sometimes i need a smoke break reporter but mostly belting out powerhouse anthems like before he cheats. Before he cheats reporter 12 years ago she was just another contestant on season 4. Because i cant make you love idol is so scary. I was crying like in the car on the way to the airport. Because not only was i flying for the first time, i was flying by myself. Reporter Carrie Underwood went on to sell more than 64 million records. And win seven grammys. To say a that this show was a juggernaut is almost an understatement. The one show that has given us stars that you dont think of them as American Idol winners, you think of them as stars in their own right. Reporter even leasers could end up dream girls like jennifer hudson, sent home early despite being widely praised by the judges. But it all worked out. Jennifer hudson. Reporter that performance won her an oscar. It wasnt just the contestants. The chemistry between original hosts paula abdul, randy jackson, and simon cowell, part of the reason for the shows success. I would just like t simon, paula and randy come back. I really think that will be the key to getting people excited to watching it again. Because we miss that original magic. Reporter simons signature snark showing the truth sometimes hurts. I think youre amazing. Really . Amazingly dreadful. Will he be softer now hes a dad . Will paula be as whack a do . Will randy still have weird glasses on . Reporter the trio moved on, replaced by a revolving door of celebrities. Among them ellen degeneres. Steven tyler. J. Lo. And of course nicki minaj who futted with cojudge mariah carey. Nobody said every moment excuse me that the music will cut me off clean your ears out this is American Idol. Reporter the one constant, perennial host ryan seacrest. I was terrified. I put on a bit of a brave face the first couple of episodes. I wasnt quite sure Live Television show. Reporter in 15 seasons, there were plenty of unforgettable performances. Talk to me tell me reporter remember william hung . No ones going to replace she bang. Reporter if imitation is the greatest form of flattery, idol must have felt flattered paving the way for shows like americas got talent, x factor, and the voice. Despite that, the pioneering show suffering dwindling viewership. And finally giving its then final bow. By the end of American Idols reign, they werent turning out stars like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. But you never know. If this show comes back and people have the appetite for it, if theyre people that viewers connect to and theres somebody on there with talent that brings something that we havent seen before, i think that absolutely another superstar could come out of the show. Ror moments like this up next, a 10yearold girl freeing herself from the mouth of an alligator. The technique she recently learned that saved her life. We cant stay here why . Terrible toilet paper ill never get clean way ahead of you. avo charmin ultra strong. It cleans better. Enjoy the go with charmin. Dry mouth can affect how your mouth feels and how you feel. Discover act dry mouth, specially formulated to soothe and moisturize your mouth. And try new act dry mouth spray for relief when you need it. And try new act dry mouth spray new pantene doesnt just wash i wiyour hair, it fuels it. Gain. Making every strand stronger. So tangles dont stand a chance. Because strong is beautiful. Introducing new depend real fit briefs. Now more breathable than ever. In situations like this, theres no time for distractions. Its not enough to think im ready. I need to know im ready. No matter what lies ahead. Get a free sample at depend. Com. Latches onto youry finger so hard, its like shes saying i love you. Thats why aveenos oat formula is designed for your babys sensitive skin. Naturally beautiful babies. Hdid you get that email i sente wyou. Before you wake up. When life keeps you up. Zzzquil helps you fall asleep in less than 20 minutes. Because sleep is a beautiful thing. Finally tonight, it turns out the toughest thing in this lake full of alligators was a 10yearold girl. Heres abcs linzie janis. Female attacked by an alligator reporter this morning 10yearold julianna osa is talking about how she fought off this nearly ninefootlong alligator. I looked in the water, there was a mean ninefoot gator in the water biting my leg. Reporter shes calm and collected as she tells inside edition how she furiously tried to free herself from its powerful jaws. The alligat g i tried hitting it to release me but it didnt work. Reporter incredibly, in those terrifying moments, she says she remembered exactly what she learned at a florida adventure park. I thought of what they taught me at gatorland. I put my two fingers up its nostrils. It couldnt breathe, it had to breathe through its moeth. It opened its mouth and let my leg out. A couple of puncture wounds on her leg but her legging is still intact. Reporter apparently outsmarting the gator who attacked her saturday afternoon as she swam in less than two feet of water at this orlando lake. The alligator didnt do nothing because he was too busy biting my leg and holding on to the sand, he was too busy with that. He didnt have any other attack moves to take out my fingers. Its in the middle of our swimming area. Reporter the gator caught by a trapper and put down. Now osa is back home after being leg. Requiring just ten stitches. She is one tough cookie. Our thanks to linzie janis. Thanks for watching abc news. As always here online at abcnews. Com and our Nightline Facebook page. Good night, america. Some people in this world think they have all the answers. Well, if you happen to run into one, send them our way because i would love to give somebody a million bucks. Come on. Lets play who wants to be a millionaire. [dramatic music] hey, everybody, welcome to the show. You guys ready to play millionaire today . [cheers and applause] just 23 years old, graduated magna cum laude and is hoping the hours of studying will pay off for him today. From fort wayne, indiana, please welcome carson royer. Whats up, man . How you doin . Im doing great. Carson, youre 23 . I am, yes. Are you sure . I need to see some id. Ive been getting a lot of that recently. I bet you have. You almost graduated early from high school. College. From college, okay. I almost graduated a semester early and ended up staying that last semester because i. Failed a walking class. You failed gym . Yeah, um. Didnt think it was possible, but i learned a very, very good lesson about attendance. So you failed a walking class because you kept falling . [laughs] cause i didnt show up. Oh, because you didnt show up. You thought you were in everything else, and you were dominating and you thought, how hard can it be . Theyre just gonna pass me cause i know how to walk. Youd think. Theres some irony in there and probably a life lesson learned. Aol