'Idol' format changes planned

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

The tweaks have been rumored online this week thanks to a memo leaked to a fan site. The network will officially 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. The memo noted the aim was to feature "fewer bad singers and more 'aspirational' singers."

-- To further emphasize the focus on the most talented singers, the semifinalist rounds will feature the top 36 contestants instead of the usual top 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 an executive producer (Nigel Lythgoe). The network hopes the changes will stem the show's ratings downtrend. The six-year-old series has withstood broadcast TV's overall ratings erosion better than most, yet nonetheless has seen audience erosion over the last couple seasons.

The new format changes may be less dramatic than what some fans imagined when Fox executives suggested they were going to shake up the eighth season, but the plans reflect what Mark Burnett says whenever somebody asks him about making major changes on "Survivor." He says there are endless minor ways to add variation to his show, but the veteran hit's essential format was lightning in a bottle and should be left undisturbed. "Idol" is the same way. One can/should tweak the format regularly to keep things fresh, but it's wise to only change the ornaments, not the tree.

UPDATE: 'Idol' changes announced

Comments

[Wizard]

Who really cares? This show is readying for the leap to jump that danged shark.

[i care]

c'mon now - this show still tops the ratings chart for good reason. It is amazingly and curiously addictive. I am glad they are cutting down on the bad singers and expanding on the Hollywood eliminations, exactly what i thought they should do. Good job on tweaking a great show.

[Gabe]

The people who watch this show are losers....come on ...get a life...bars are filled with people with more talent. Quit being sheep, don't fall for a cheap-ass production of talent because Simon or Paula says they have talent. This is why our counrty is on the decline. Too many followers....no leaders

[over50daddy]

just please get rid of those handwaving whatevers' up front. They drove my family nuts and I don't know how the singers can't help but be distracted by them.
I think it is probably a good idea to show less crash and burns especially those that are obviously mentally challenged. At times it could appear cruel and you just hoped they didn't kill themselves or somebody else - well - i guess that happened didn't it?

[Angie]

Is Seacrest out of the closet yet?

[Karla]

I was a new viewer this year. David Archuleta snagged me. I agree about the hand wavers in front, they are annoying.
I also like the idea about less of the awful performers. Otherwise I thought the show was good, I enjoyed it and will be back next year.

[Shibbashabba]

@Wizard - Do you even know what "jump the shark" means you ass? How can a REALITY SHOW jump the shark.

Sweet baby jesus help me.

[Todd]

Why don't they combine forces with Dancing with the Stars and do a show on ice!

Seriously folks, how in the world can people stomach watching these boring, trashy shows?

[Maria]

I only watch the audition episodes. I love the crash-and-burn candidates.

[mark]

It's a show you can sit down with your family and watch and usually not have to be worried about content.

[RM]

Big mistake, the bad singers are the only reason to watch the tired show.

[ryan s.]

1- Get rid of Paula Abdul, her advice/criticism sucks and she's a trainwreck.
2- Get rid of Randy Jackson, his advice is a joke and all he says is "dog"
3- Stop featuring washed up musical actsfrom the 50's and 60's, nobody cares.
4- Actually divulge the vote totals for each contestant.
5- Don't allow more than 1 vote per phone number.

[RMS]

"I only watch the audition episodes. I love the crash-and-burn candidates."

Thank you! I was waiting for someone else to say that... who here actually buys the records of people that win this silly contest?

[Willy Brown]

I watch again if they dump the non talant hack Ryan seacrud!

[Roger]

Idol lost me when it turned into a second chance show featuring too many finalists with previous experience in the field. I enjoyed the sympathy votes for Kelly Pickler and others from a different background. The David's were good, but I could care less about them. They arrived too polished. I wanted to see growth. Carrie Underwood, the singers with the choirs, newbies.
I want it to have that "come on, you can do it" pull.

[Craig Eliot]

Actually, they did it backwards. The only shows WORTH watching are the ones with the bad singers. If I want to hear good singers, I'll turn on the radio.

[Dave]

Jump The Shark........that expression comes from an episode of Happy Days when Fonzie literally got on a highspeed racing boat and jumped over a shark that looked a lot like the Jaws shark. Happy Days had run out of plot lines in the diner and elsewhere and now they were jumping the shark. So now when any show begins to lose its energy and go downhill with "off the wall" plot lines, it is called Jumping the Shark in honor of that infamous episode on Happy Days.

[T Nick]

Don't get rid of the "hand wavers" in the front. Just have some big ol boy come from behind them and whap 'em upside the head.

I'd watch every show since there will inevitably be some tweener who did get the memo or the hint NOT to WAVE.

[T NIck]

I meant, "did NOT get the memo..."

My mistake. Sorry

[George]

There switching to top 36 because of Josiah Leming last season the one who got away he's got a record coming out the same time as the 2 hacks that finished one and two.

[evets]

AI is tops for a reason. It offers us a reason to smile, tap our feet, laugh, root for a favorite who doesn't make a gazillion bucks a year between felony arrests, and sing along.

Good, clean, entertainment that's been missing in America for quite some time. I might add, it's apolitical, as well, and I like that.

BTW, David Cook is on fire!

[Rob]

You want to spice it up, drop the washed up former singer/songwriters - nobody wants to see them ... Barry Manilow, Puh-lease. Feature folks like Nickelback or Rihanna or Pink or Rascal Flatts or Brad Paisley, somebody relevant. Or bring back some of the Idols who have made a name for themselves and have them be the guest artist. I'm sure an episode with Carrie Underwood or Kelly Clarkson or Chris Daughtry would be very popular and remind the contestants what they are competing for.

[Wizard]

Shibbashabba, yeah I know what it means about jumping the shark, and thanks to Dave for explaining it to YOU.

BTW, why so rude? Are you one of the producers by chance? :)

[David Arnold]

I love how some pretentious self righteous people think only idiots watch idol or that anyone and everyone who wins or does well are " hacks " and that somehow some bar rat from podunk where ever is so much better. Fact is Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson are bonafide stars and Clay Aiken hasn't done too poorly either. When you consider the number of artists signed to make albums every year, Idol has a pretty good percentage of success. Certainly better than Star Search every did.

[Kenny]

Please help Paul pack her bags and wish her bon voyage...I find her a big distraction...she is such a big phony and oozes her way through the judges critiques....I also wish there was a way for the judges to have a veto or at least some real input into the elimination process...seems that some of the least talented hang around for weeks just because they've struck a note with the audience not because they're the most talented...and,perhaps real judges of talent would week the less talented out much sooner.

[KA]

I watched this program twice ... about three years ago. I am not a fan.

I'm not ok listening to the cruelty of that foreigner (sorry, don't know who he is or where he's from) sitting in judgment on the efforts of our youth, whether talented or not. If those contestants didn't come forward and try out for the show, there would be no show.

The whole thing reminded me of a best-forgotten nightmare called "the Gong Show."

[Rick]

Actually, the "Jump the Shark" episode of Happy Days featured Fonzie jumping his MOTORCYCLE over a tank containing a shark. I saw the episode live, and can still picture the moment the series finally died. You can verify this at jumptheshark.com.

And I agree with some of the other posters - the bad auditions were/are hilarious. The rest of it I hardly watch much at all.

[fantum]

Great! That will surely pull them out of the dumper.

[Peggy]

"Idol lost me when it turned into a second chance show featuring too many finalists with previous experience in the field. I enjoyed the sympathy votes for Kelly Pickler and others from a different background. The David's were good, but I could care less about them. They arrived too polished. I wanted to see growth. Carrie Underwood, the singers with the choirs, newbies.
I want it to have that "come on, you can do it" pull."
Posted by: Roger | December 12, 2008 at 06:57 PM

I agree with Roger. When there are people on stage competing who have HAD a lot of experience, that's when I quit watching. Take it back to a TALENT contest, not a popularity contest.

[Nit]

"the last couple seasons" --> "the last couple of seasons"

[Patrick Lensing]

Eliminating the early auditions would deprive us from William Hung and other very entertaining figures. I want to see the freaks. They are funny and have some entertainment value for the fan. I would prefer a long season of raw auditions and not to sit through a bunch of competitions with few people that show NO diversity - all POP music.

[bruno]

9 out of 10 American Idol watchers can't name their Senators, congressman/woman, or answer basic questions on the constitution. If you guys spent 10% as much time keeping up with current events and studying issues this nation might stand a chance.

Rome fell while enjoying 'bread and circuses' . We're on the same track.

[Olden Atwoody]

Paula is hot in her own boozy, medication-addled way. I would!

[Gloria]

It's kinda like sending professional athletes to the Olympics. I don't like watching people that have had records or recording contracts before. Even if they were from other countries. I'm most inspired by the novices that rise to the occasion or the true "diamonds in the rough". Even back up singers that get their chance in the spotlight. I think the individuals personalities should be assessed more. Some of them last year got to the final ten but had NO personality at all. And WHO is this new judge, Kara DioGuardi? Never heard of her.

[Gloria]

Kara DioGuardi. Ok I looked her up. Award winning songwriter. Seems like a good and logical choice.

[Ra]

The bad singers were the most entertaining part of the show. I usually stop watching now when they get down to the final 12.

[Devotee]

Click my name for the greatest Idol of all time.

[NoMas]

Devotee: Did you mean the gayest? Entertainment? Talk about an oxymoron.

[Steven]

Idol is the #1 rated show on TV, but you know what show is the #1 show on television with the most coveted age group for advertisers (18-49 I believe)? THE SIMPSONS. So...who actually watches this American Idol crap? Old ladies, no-life losers and 10 year old kids?

[Jim]

Are you people kidding me? How can so many be so speculative in this age of information. FONZIE JUMPED THE SHARK ON WATER SKIS! You people are proof the internet is making people dumber. And one knucklehead said he saw it live with Fonzie jumping it on his motorcycle. You're either lieing or you've got a terrible memory after seeing something "live." Of course you probably meant you watched it live on TV. Hey everyone, take the time to educate yourself. There's a balance between reality TV and REALITY. AI is a good past time. So is a museum and civil service.