'American Idol' changes are coming - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 12-14-2008, 01:46 PM

Fox is readying to announce some "American Idol" format changes.

The tweaks have been rumored online thanks to a memo leaked to a fan site. The network is set to reveal the plans Monday and hold a news conference with executive producer Ken Warwick.

The changes include:

-- Fewer audition episodes and more Hollywood-round episodes. The shift increases the show's emphasis on talented performers and shies further away from the crash-and-burn spectacle of less-talented attention-seekers.

-- To further emphasize the focus on the most talented singers, the semifinalist rounds will feature the top 36 contestants instead of 24.

-- Adding some unpredictability, the "wild card" round will return, which gives eliminated contestants a chance to come back into the competition for one of the top finalist spots.

-- The network will not air an "Idol Gives Back" charity telecast next year but does plan to hold the event in the show's ninth season. Moving forward, "Gives Back" will become an every-other-year event.

Earlier this year, Fox announced the addition of a fourth judge (Kara DioGuardi) and the departure of executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. The network doesn't expect the changes to result in a ratings reversal for the six-year-old show -- which has withstood broadcast's overall ratings erosion better than most -- but hopes the shake-up helps stem whatever audience drain might otherwise occur.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...1d8936776711cd

EmoJoe · 12-14-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

-- To further emphasize the focus on the most talented singers, the semifinalist rounds will feature the top 36 contestants instead of 24.

well that makes it 10x easier to not watch this year

ryan423 · 12-14-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

well that makes it 10x easier to not watch this year

LOL. I gave up on this show a long time ago. The show is already way past its peak.

browneyes106 · 12-14-2008, 09:37 PM

I like some the changes but I like the top 24 format instead of the top 36.

TJL · 12-14-2008, 10:04 PM

I know this sounds like a crazy idea, but maybe the AI folks can take a break for a season or two and come back in a couple of years.

Nah, FOX should just run the show into the ground like every other reality show that was extremely popular but is now losing it's appeal.

Chocoholic · 12-15-2008, 04:33 PM

I think they should fix the voting so you can only call a certain number up to 5 or 10 times per night.

Pavan · 12-15-2008, 04:58 PM

Schedule thru 3/10 has been announced (3/11-5/20 WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE):

Tuesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 1 (TWO HOURS)
Wednesday, Jan. 14 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 2 (TWO HOURS)
Tuesday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Wednesday, Jan. 21 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Tuesday, Jan. 27 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Wednesday, Jan. 28 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Thursday, Jan. 29 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode (SPECIAL NIGHT)
Tuesday, Feb. 3 (8:00-9:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 1
Wednesday, Feb. 4 (8:00-9:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 2
Tuesday, Feb. 10 (8:00-9:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 3
Wednesday, Feb. 11 (8:00-10:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 4 Top 36 Semifinalists Announced (TWO HOURS)
Tuesday, Feb. 17 (8:00-10:00 PM) 12 Semifinalists Perform (TWO HOURS)
Wednesday, Feb. 18 (8:00-9:00 PM) First LIVE Results Show (ET live/PT Tape-delayed) 3 Finalists Advance
Tuesday, Feb. 24 (8:00-10:00 PM) 12 Semifinalists Perform (TWO HOURS)
Wednesday, Feb. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM) LIVE Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) 3 Finalists Advance
Tuesday, March 3 (8:00-10:00 PM) 12 Semifinalists Perform (TWO HOURS)
Wednesday, March 4 (8:00-9:00 PM) LIVE Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) 3 Finalists Advance
Thursday, March 5 (8:00-9:00 PM) Wild Card Round Top 12 Finalists Revealed (SPECIAL NIGHT)
Tuesday, March 10 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 12 Finalists Perform (TWO HOURS)

Brent88 · 12-15-2008, 05:23 PM

36 finalists? WTF? Also don't like the idea of a permanent 4th judge. Do like that there are less Thursday episodes this year. Probably won't be watching nearly as much though, about the only reason I did last year was because of the writers strike and nothing else really being on.

EmoJoe · 12-15-2008, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan423

LOL. I gave up on this show a long time ago. The show is already way past its peak.

yeah im pretty much done with it, its gotten old and lost its charm

12-14-2008, 01:46 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	'American Idol' changes are coming Fox is readying to announce some "American Idol" format changes. The tweaks have been rumored online thanks to a memo leaked to a fan site. The network is set to reveal the plans Monday and hold a news conference with executive producer Ken Warwick. The changes include: -- Fewer audition episodes and more Hollywood-round episodes. The shift increases the show's emphasis on talented performers and shies further away from the crash-and-burn spectacle of less-talented attention-seekers. -- To further emphasize the focus on the most talented singers, the semifinalist rounds will feature the top 36 contestants instead of 24. -- Adding some unpredictability, the "wild card" round will return, which gives eliminated contestants a chance to come back into the competition for one of the top finalist spots. -- The network will not air an "Idol Gives Back" charity telecast next year but does plan to hold the event in the show's ninth season. Moving forward, "Gives Back" will become an every-other-year event. Earlier this year, Fox announced the addition of a fourth judge (Kara DioGuardi) and the departure of executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. The network doesn't expect the changes to result in a ratings reversal for the six-year-old show -- which has withstood broadcast's overall ratings erosion better than most -- but hopes the shake-up helps stem whatever audience drain might otherwise occur. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...1d8936776711cd
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12-14-2008, 10:04 PM	#5
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	I know this sounds like a crazy idea, but maybe the AI folks can take a break for a season or two and come back in a couple of years. Nah, FOX should just run the show into the ground like every other reality show that was extremely popular but is now losing it's appeal.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

12-15-2008, 05:23 PM	#8
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	36 finalists? WTF? Also don't like the idea of a permanent 4th judge. Do like that there are less Thursday episodes this year. Probably won't be watching nearly as much though, about the only reason I did last year was because of the writers strike and nothing else really being on.
	__________________ Brent

12-14-2008, 09:37 PM	#4
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I like some the changes but I like the top 24 format instead of the top 36.

12-15-2008, 04:33 PM	#6
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I think they should fix the voting so you can only call a certain number up to 5 or 10 times per night.