Other Great Reality Shows > American Idol
American Idol Season 8
marigold:
Fox Press Release
Monday, Dec. 15, 2008
GET READY TO SHARE YOUR VOICE AS “AMERICAN IDOL” RETURNS WITH A BRAND-NEW SEASON, NEW CONTESTANTS AND A NEW JUDGE
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13 AND WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, ON FOX
Top 36 Semifinalists Revealed Wednesday, Feb. 11
Voting Begins Tuesday, Feb. 17
Top 12 Singers Revealed After Judges’ Wild Card Round Thursday, March 5
Top 12 Finalists Perform for First Time Tuesday, March 10
The wait is almost over for the return of television’s No. 1 show! Last season’s finale boasted a record-breaking nearly 100 million votes cast in the crowning of David Cook as the winner, and now, AMERICAN IDOL is set to return with a two-night, four-hour premiere event featuring extraordinary talent and outrageous new auditions Tuesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Jan. 14 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
The eighth season kicks off with three weeks of audition episodes, featuring tryouts held in East Rutherford, NJ; Jacksonville, FL; Kansas City, MO; Louisville, KY; Phoenix, AZ; Salt Lake City, UT; San Francisco, CA; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. After the two-night premiere, auditions will continue for two weeks on Tuesday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Jan. 21 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); and Tuesday, Jan. 27 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Jan. 28 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The final audition episode will air Thursday, Jan. 29 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
The lucky auditioners who get the judges’ approval then move on to the “Hollywood Round” where contestants vie for a semifinalist position during the grueling next phase of the auditions. Extended for one week, the “Hollywood Round” episodes air: Tuesday, Feb. 3 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); Wednesday, Feb. 4 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); and Tuesday, Feb. 10 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). On Wednesday, Feb. 11 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), dreams come true for three dozen hopefuls, as Simon, Randy, Paula and Kara announce the Top 36 semifinalists.
It will then be up to America to decide who moves forward in the competition. For three consecutive Tuesdays including: Feb. 17 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), Feb. 24 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and March 3 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), 12 different semifinalists will perform each night in the hopes of moving on to the Top 12. Each week during the LIVE results shows airing Wednesdays: Feb. 18 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), Feb. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and March 4 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), the three finalists with the highest number of America’s votes will secure coveted spots in the Top 12.
On Thursday, March 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), AMERICAN IDOL presents a special “Wild Card” episode featuring the judges favorite remaining contestants. After each of the contestants perform, the judges will select the three final contestants who will round out the Top 12.
The competition heats up as those Top 12 finalists take the stage for the first time together Tuesday, March 10 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). Immediately following, America has another chance to share its voice and vote for their favorite finalists.
RECAP (All times ET/PT)
Tuesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 1
Wednesday, Jan. 14 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 2
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
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
Tuesday, Feb. 17 (8:00-10:00 PM) 12 Semifinalists Perform
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
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
RECAP, Continued (All times ET/PT)
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
Tuesday, March 10 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 12 Finalists Perform
marigold:
An interesting article:
Ken Warwick Dishes On the Dramatic Season 8 Changes
Executive Producer of American Idol Ken Warwick spoke to the media yesterday regarding the exciting new changes for season eight, and he made sure to separate fact from fiction. The goal, as always, is to keep the core aspects of everyone's favorite show in tact while providing elements that give it a fresh feel each season. One way this is done, according to Ken, is smart coverage of the hopefuls during the audition process. After seven seasons, many of them have become what he calls "camera savvy," even developing an idea for what they think they should say. Ken said that they tried to shy away from covering these folks this year, as he thinks it looks fairly obvious, and the judges don't like to see that either.
There will also be more coverage of the social interactions during Hollywood Week, much like there was a few seasons ago. Appealing to the viewer's sense of curiosity, we will, once again, be able to find out when some auditioners did things like playing in the pool instead of spending the time rehearsing with their groups. The Wild Card is another thing that will be returning this year, and Ken explained the thought process behind its reinstatement. As he puts it, by the time the show is down to its Top 12, the fans have been seeing these same faces for weeks and weeks, which can make it a bit boring. The Wild Card "keeps it fresher for longer," according to Ken, and gives us a chance to get to know all 36 hopefuls.
Ken addressed some of the concerns about the prior experience that some of these hopefuls have when auditioning for AI. While he understands the love of the notion of finding a previously undiscovered star, he says that it's just not going to happen all the time. In fact, he says that he looks at it a different way, and some of these folks have seen record deals come and go without success. They come to AI feeling a bit bruised and battered, but the show ends up restoring their faith in the music business. As long as they have no management now, that's all Ken says should matter.
Ken also talked extensively about the decision to add Kara DioGuardi as a fourth judge this season and, to him, it simply made sense. Not only did the Idol concept begin with four judges, but Kara adds even more legitimacy to the panel with her background. As Ken explained, in past seasons, Kara would move in once the new Idol was crowned and she would take a pivotal role in his or her music career--writing, producing, making an album. As he said, "So she's probably the best qualified person to know what we're looking for, which we thought was a good idea. She's young, she's opinionated, she's incredibly talented, and she's a really good singer." In the past, when the judges would rate the singing, the critique would come by way of a verbal review. With Kara, she is able to tell the auditioner, "This is how you should have sung that," and she actually sings it! According to Ken, this happens in a couple of the audition shows.
Another interesting element she provides is one of empathy. Apparently, there are instances in which she gangs up with Paula Abdul against Simon Cowell in allowing the kids another chance to overcome their nerves. Ken explains how sometimes the stress of the situation can take over: "It's just one of those things. You’ve been sitting there all day, and you’re frightened to death, and you know you’re a bit tired or you’ve driven 500 miles to get there and you’re not going to be great." Unlike Simon, Kara and Paula would pick up on this, and give them a little more "leeway" to try and improve. Simon does not react well to this, as one can imagine, which makes for great TV, according to Ken!
As many have probably heard, Ken confirmed that Idol Gives Back will not return this year. In addition to this being a tough economical time for the nation, Ken admits to the fact that it's also a grueling preparation process, calling it a "heavy workload on everybody." He says that it's also challenging to keep the quality of the "main show" up when preparing for such an extensive event, not to mention the finale comes only weeks later. However, all this doesn't mean that IGB won't ultimately return. As Ken said, they'll take a look again next year and decide at that point whether to do it.
Link: http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/?pid=1502
marigold:
An interesting article:
American Idol 8: Conference Call With Simon Cowell
American Idol premieres in less than a month on FOX. It will undoubtedly once again be the highest-rated and most talked about series on American television. One of the biggest reasons (perhaps the biggest reason) for American Idol's enduring success has been the presence of acerbic Brit Simon Cowell at the judges' table. Cowell is American Idol's breakout star and always has been, even more so than any of the stars American Idol has created over the years. This morning, Cowell took some time out of his busy schedule to hold a conference call with the press. He discussed the addition of new judge Kara DioGuardi, what we can expect from this year's crop of singers, and the Paula Goodspeed tragedy, among other things. You can read the highlights of the conference call below.
Simon has no idea whether the addition of a fourth judge will work or not. He supports trying new things, but sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Simon wasn't crazy about the last couple of years, with the smaller group of finalists. He likes bringing back the Wild Card stages.
Simon says the guys were better than the girls, by a long-shot, during the Hollywood rounds. After Hollywood, Simon thinks they have an interesting group of finalists, different from people than they've had before.
Apparently they are adding a new Emmy category for Best Reality Show Judge. Simon says it's a good idea if he wins the Emmy, bad idea if he loses.
Simon on new judge Kara DioGuardi: Kara has experience, is opinionated, has written hit songs and she talks a lot.
The judges tried to be as broad and open-minded as possible when selecting the finalists. He thinks personality is as important as talent for a show like American Idol.
Simon doesn't like referring to Goodspeed as a stalker, given the tragedy. He regrets that they didn't know how troubled she was. He wishes they could have known, and then tried to help her. The process of open auditions doesn't allow research for people. Oftentimes, before the bad singers audition, they'll warn them that if they don't like criticism they shouldn't audition. Simon also vouches for the integrity of the producers. He doesn't like how they've been portrayed in the media recently.
Simon says the two female judges ganging up on him hasn't been that bad.
Simon's been happy with the album success of both David Archuleta and David Cook. He says that success always depends on the material.
No Idol Gives Back this year. One reason is that it doesn't feel right to ask people in a economy in recession to give money. They'll be doing it again, just not this year.
RE: Paula's comments criticizing Simon. He admits guilt, but that's their relationship. He doesn't think her remarks were as pointed as they are being interpreted as.
In the wake of the Goodspeed tragedy, Simon has thought a lot about maybe tempering his criticisms of the contestants. After reflection, he thinks they should continue on as they have in the past. He believes they've gone through it with a sense of humor. Also, he thinks the process is worth viewing for the audience. If you're not good, you should find a normal job, etc.
Simon says they try every year to get Paul McCartney on the show, but to no avail so far. He loved having people like Lionel Richie and Quentin Tarantino on the show, and would welcome them back. They recently had Beyonce and Britney on the British version and loved them.
He loves breaking the ties, the other judges hate it. There have been a few ties, a few arguments.
Simon thinks Chris Daughtry changed things for the rockers on the show. A lot of so-called rockers show up and are clearly fake. He's not surprised at Idol singers being successful in different genres, like rock and country.
To Simon, personality is just about as important as talent. He thinks last season had a lot of singers who didn't have great personalities and didn't speak their minds. This is the year, he believes, that the singers fight back.
Simon loved it in Salt Lake City. The city, the air, the people. He was very impressed with the talent. He was expecting a more serious place, but it was quite fun.
Simon says he had never spoken to Kara prior to her hiring for Idol. The judges had no say in the matter, she was just brought on.
Simon doesn't think that there are as many ringers in the mix as there were last year. He prefers to have newer talents, who haven't been in the industry. He didn't mind having people like Carly Smithson on the show last year, however.
Simon says Britney would be first on the list in terms of possible mentors or just as a performer.
Simon says all the cities this season represented themselves well. No stand-out awful city, so stand-out great city.
He loves that FOX hasn't been greedy with Idol, and has resisted the urge to put on twice a year. Simon says he'll continue to do the show until they're not welcome anymore. He thinks American Idol can continue without him and be just fine.
Simon doesn't remember the Paula Goodspeed audition. He vaguely remembered the audition after seeing it on the news. He reminds us that there are always seven security guards in the room, and they can stop the audition at any time.
Link: http://www.buddytv.com/articles/american-idol/american-idol-8-conference-cal-25304.aspx
marigold:
An interesting article:
Can Blasts from the Past Amp Up Idol's Future?
American Idol is plumbing its past to bolster its future, in the wake of a seven percent audience decline for the previous cycle.
Among the changes on tap for Season 8, premiering Jan. 13, is the resurrection of two elements from seasons gone by — one of which affects game play, the other offering fun (if not deliciously catty) insight into the semifinalists.
As hinted in recent weeks, Season 8 will reinstitute the Wild Card round, in which singers who don't make the Top 9 are afforded one last chance to improve their fortune and thus comprise the Top 12.
"We want to change things up a bit," exec producer Ken Warwick tells TVGuide.com. Though the exact process has yet to be cemented, he says, "The judges can pick anybody they like that they thought maybe was better but just off form and then decide on three" from that group. Such a "save" is what kept eventual second-placer Clay Aiken in the Season 2 mix.
Also during the now-extended Hollywood round, Idol will spend time behind the scenes with the singers, chronicling the tomfoolery, tension and backstabbing which transpires during the hotel hallway rehearsals and run-throughs. (Invariably, one wannabe will choose a late-night hook-up over committing lyrics to memory, invoking the ire of his/her group members.) "I like that [look backstage] a lot," says Warwick. "I can't remember the reason we did away with it, but it very definitely is back this year."
Warwick's thoughts on two other tweaks to the new cycle of America's favorite reality competition:
Four's Company
Noting that the panel always featured four judges on the U.K. version of Idol, Warwick says that newcomer Kara DioGuardi "is fitting in vey well. She's a great singer ... and on a number of occasions she'll say, 'No, you should sing it like this' and she lets rip. It's great."
Idol Gives Back Won't Be Back
Explaining the decision to give the charitable effort a rest this cycle and, come 2010, adopt an every-other-year timetable, Warwick says, "It is an incredible stretch" of manpower to work the star-studded spectacle into an already intense season. "To add the weight of a huge charity show ... is very, very difficult," especially with the big finale coming just weeks later.
All told, Warwick insists that "no panic changes" have been made to Idol, only ones that made sense at this juncture in the show's run. As he notes, "We wouldn't have been on TV for eight years if it wasn't doing it right."
What's your take? Do you welcome the return of the "wild card" element? Psyched to revisit the hotel antics?
Link: http://www.tvguide.com/American-Idol/Season-8-preview-1001015.aspx
marigold:
An interesting article:
Cowell says 'Idol' will deliver first-class males
"American Idol" judge Simon Cowell believes this coming season will be the year the male contestants shine.
"The guys overall, maybe about five or six of them, were just stronger and stood out more than the girls," Cowell told reporters on a conference call yesterday. "But I've said this in the past and been wrong. Anything can happen."
Aside from the gender divide, this year's group of aspiring singers will be much livelier than the last, said Cowell, who's adamant that contestants be as talented as they are interesting.
"Last year, it was sort of like battle of the blonds, and they all looked the same," Cowell said. "This year, there seems to be more personality. They're definitely standing up for themselves more, which I like, and they're different from people that we've had before."
Although he says it's too early to tell, Cowell is hopeful that the addition of a fourth judge, singer/songwriter Kara DioGuardi, will boost the program. He hasn't seen the recent footage featuring DioGuardi, but from the experience of judging alongside her, he believes she will be good for "Idol."
"She's got experience," he said. "She's written hit songs, she's got an opinion - which is very, very important - and she talks a lot."
DioGuardi has worked with former "Idol" winners in the past, including Carrie Underwood and David Cook, which Cowell says proves she's not "snobby" about the process of finding talent on a television show, which can still be a problem in the music industry.
Cowell says he is happy to have the "wild card" round back in rotation, which he says will create "more fun" in the middle stages of the competition. He also said he agreed with the decision to skip the "Idol Gives Back" charity drive this year, so that viewers can focus on paying their own bills during the recession.
As for Paula Abdul's recent (and repeated) comments that he coerced her into appearing confused during live tapings, Cowell says he's guilty as charged and again apologized.
"But that's part of the relationship that I've had with Paula," he said. "It was never done with any maliciousness. She's never had an issue with me about it. If I thought I'd gone too far, I'd apologize. I thought she took most of this with a sense of humor. If she said, 'Don't ever do that again,' I wouldn't."
Cowell also said the suicide by former contestant Paula Goodspeed was "awful."
"My regret in all of this is we didn't know how troubled this person was, and if I could go back in time and know what she was going through, we could have spent time trying to help her," he said. "But we genuinely didn't know."
Link: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2008/12/18/2008-12-18_cowell_says_idol_will_deliver_firstclass.html
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version