'American Idol' producer Ken Warwick released the details of the changes in store for season 8, including the schedule.
"They're not mega-changes," he told reporters at a press conference. "They are just little things to keep the whole format fresh and interesting."
Among those changes: There will be 36 semifinalists, as well as a wild-card round for the first time since season 3.
Here's the schedule from AmericanIdol.com:
- Jan 13 & 14: Auditions
- Jan 20 & 21: Auditions
- Jan 27, 28, 29: Auditions
- Feb. 3 &4: Hollywood Rounds
- Feb. 10 & 11: Hollywood Rounds
- Feb. 17 & 18: Top 36 Semifinal Round, Group 1
- Feb. 24 & 25: Top 36 Semifinal Round, Group 2
- March 3 & 4: Top 36 Semifinal Round, Group 3
- March 5: Wildcard Round
- March 10: Top 12 Round
- May 20: Finale
Then, the judges will select three more finalists from the wildcard round. "If something goes horrendously awry, the judges could fix it on the wild card show," Warwick said.
Some more tidbits from the press conference:
- Group numbers return to Hollywood Week
- No themes during the semifinals; contestants will be able to choose from Top 10 Billboard songs as far back as the 1950s
- There will be a Motown theme to celebrate its 50th anniversary
- More backstage footage
- Paula isn't leaving
So, what do you think of all the changes? Is 'Idol' just hitting the rewind button and recycling old formats? Did you like the wildcard rounds prior to season 4?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
i'm happy to see 'Idol' return to its old format. hopefully this season will be a lot more exciting than last year's.
I don't understand why they keep trying to mix up the format. They should, instead, focus more attention on finding and developing better talent.
We don't need more changes, we need better talent in the top 12!
American Idol is great and I am glad Paula is not leaving. Change is good.
Somehow, I wish the viewers could request songs for the contestants. Maybe they could vote on line or something. Last year, for example, there was a girl who kept doing hard stuff,can't remember her name, but I wanted to hear her sing Me and Bobby McGee, the Janis Joplin version. And I think they should have a Motown week every year.
IS PAULA GOING TO STRIP THIS YEAR? LOL
I HAVE FELT THAT THE JUDGES SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING LIKE A 40% VOTE POWER WITH 60% FOR THE HOME VIEWERS, AS IT IS NOW THERE ARE TOO MANY HOME VIEWERS WHO VOTE BLOCKS IN FOR OR AGAINST THE TOP ARTISTS.
I think everyone should only be allowed to vote ONCE, That is enough.
why no body should vote once!!! You should be able to vote how ever many times you want to vote
I still like the idea of Themes. A good singer should be able to showcase themselves in nearly every genre in a pleasingly musical manner. Also wish judges would be a little less demeaning to poor singers--at least they are trying.
I like the changes. I suggest a return to the past years to show the winners during their auditions and first few performances....I can't believe some of the transformations that occur and would like to see a program devoted to those changes.