US TV
Several changes have been announced for American Idol's upcoming fourth season.
Most of the tweaks to the format result in an increased number of weekly shows, a strategy designed to boost FOX's flagging ratings this season.
First off, the number of episodes tracking the audition process is being expanded significantly. A record ten hours - six episodes - will chart the nationwide search, with a further four hours following the second stage in Hollywood.
Celebrity judges are being axed from the latter rounds of the competition; instead, they will appear during the audition phase. Confirmed guesters include Gene Simmons, LL Cool J, Brandy and Kenny Loggins.
The biggest change concerns the semi-final round. Normally, the judges whittle down the contestants to a final 32, from which the viewers select 12 finalists (two per week, plus four from the wildcard show). This time, the judges will construct a final 24, who will perform for viewer votes every week for three weeks.
Males will perform on Mondays, and females on Tuesdays. The bottom two from each group will be eliminated on Wednesday's results show.
The last twelve standing will advance to the final round, which begins March 15.
"We want to make sure the show, whenever it can, gets as fresh as it can," said executive producer Ken Warwick. "We're doing a little, but not too much. The show works, so we don't want to overfix it."
Most of the tweaks to the format result in an increased number of weekly shows, a strategy designed to boost FOX's flagging ratings this season.
First off, the number of episodes tracking the audition process is being expanded significantly. A record ten hours - six episodes - will chart the nationwide search, with a further four hours following the second stage in Hollywood.
Celebrity judges are being axed from the latter rounds of the competition; instead, they will appear during the audition phase. Confirmed guesters include Gene Simmons, LL Cool J, Brandy and Kenny Loggins.
The biggest change concerns the semi-final round. Normally, the judges whittle down the contestants to a final 32, from which the viewers select 12 finalists (two per week, plus four from the wildcard show). This time, the judges will construct a final 24, who will perform for viewer votes every week for three weeks.
Males will perform on Mondays, and females on Tuesdays. The bottom two from each group will be eliminated on Wednesday's results show.
The last twelve standing will advance to the final round, which begins March 15.
"We want to make sure the show, whenever it can, gets as fresh as it can," said executive producer Ken Warwick. "We're doing a little, but not too much. The show works, so we don't want to overfix it."
More: US TV, American Idol
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