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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > December > 15 > Entry
12/15: “Idol” schedule for 2009, Nigel Lythgoe knew nothing about Paula Abdul’s stalker during show
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m having one of those “I can’t believe I have 18 things to do and I don’t have any time to do it” days. So I’m only getting to Idol blog right now. I haven’t solidified any David Cook time yet. May not in the end. We’ll see.
Anyway, the Powers That Be at Fox sent out a press release. I will update this blog entry to also include whatever we get from Ken Warwick at 3 p.m. EST. Here it is verbatim with my comments in parentheticals. Personally, I don’t like the fact they are bringing back the format from seasons one and two. That means giving 36 (instead of 24) semifinalists ONE shot (instead of three) to make an impression with the audience before they are picked for the top 12. This also means the audition and Hollywood rounds are ever more crucial for the contestants to get airtime to make it to the top 12. Some of the 36 will leave so little impression, I’m sure, they will have zero chance of going very far.
Fortunately, they do have the wildcard round, which does give some folks a second shot at making it. That’s where Clay Aiken got into the top 12 season two, if my memory serves me correct.
Warwick also told USA Today before the press conference that indeed, “Idol Gives Back” has been cancelled for the year, a reflection of the economy.
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. [That’s three weeks instead of four weeks of auditions, though they’ve added an extra seventh audition episode there on Thursday January 29. That is one fewer than last year.]
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. [Yes, we get two extra hours of Hollywood week after they gave us short shrift seasons six and seven.]
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 contestants with the highest number of America’s votes -one male, one female and the next top vote getter - 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.
- Nigel Lythgoe told People he knew nothing about Paula Abdul and the now-dead stalker when the show was on. More info here.:
“You do not take somebody in that room that you believe is a danger to herself or a danger to Paula,” Nigel Lythgoe told PEOPLE at Thursday’s Superstars of Dance press day in Los Angeles. “That would not enter our heads.
“The very fact that this happened, I’m really sad for her family,” said Lythgoe. “It happened about four weeks ago. For it to come back four weeks later, I’m really sad we’re still talking about it.”
Radaronline also says she’s in talks to double her $5 to $7 million salary with “Idol.”
-I saw on MJ’s blog that Michael Johns missed the Nigel Lythgoe charity event Sunday night due to flight troubles from Atlanta. Bummer.
Comments
By JTesla
December 15, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Thanks for passing on the information. Cutting from 36 to 12 in that amount of time just doesn’t seem right.
By Deirdre
December 15, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
I don’t care how they change the show just so they get rid of the frickin mosh pit!!!!!!!!!
Nana…..hope you are ok. I’m picturing you up to your eyeballs in puppy doo-doo!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
December 15, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Hmmmmmm not so sure that cutting the amount of exposure to the finalists (a la 36) is a good idea, either. But if we get less of the bogus auditions and more exposure to REAL talent, i guess it’s better … not sure i like the 36 instead of 24, myself. oh well. we’ll see; you know no one will like ALL the changes; i mean, each of us will find some things better, some worse, lol…. that’s why we still blog!!!
By flats
December 15, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
I saw whwere RC came back.What did he want with all that negative energy.Maybe he will come back and say he is sorry to yall.I miss allof yall and hope yall have a happy holiday season.c-ya!