Changes Coming To ‘American Idol’s’ Season 8

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American Idol,Reality TV,Simon Cowell,Paula Abdul
 
 

FIRST PUBLISHED: December 13, 2008 12:11 PM EST
LAST UPDATED: December 13, 2008 2:01 PM EST

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

“American Idol” is coming back in January for its eighth season, but the show is bringing some changes with it.

In a memo from FOX Network Program Executive Council, leaked on the Internet and published on mjsbigblog.com, “Idol” is expanding.

For starters, the month-long period where “Idol” usually features the best and most bizarre auditions from around the country have been shortened to just three weeks, followed by two weeks of the show’s famous Hollywood round, according to the memo.

“Promotional thrust will have fewer bad singers and more ‘aspirational’ singers,” the memo read.

But the Hollywood round won’t just whittle the contenders down to a slim 24. Instead, 36 contestants will get a shot at the top prize. They will however, be reduced over time to a Top 12.

One of the most sought-after rounds in “Idol” history is coming back as part of the changes — the wild card round, according to the memo.

Fox’s memo announced that there would be more 2-hour episodes, but ratings juggernaut “Idol Gives Back,” will not happen in 2009.

While Fox declined to comment on the leak, a press conference call about “Idol’s” new season will happen on Monday.

Copyright 2009 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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