American Idol Season 8

Just two audition episodes remain this week and then 147 contestants compete during Hollywood week...or should I type weeks, as for the first time in Idol history, Hollywood week will be aired over four episodes and two weeks. I had no idea that the taping of Hollywood week was held in November! I cannot imagine the anticipation the contestants must feel waiting for the season to air. How exciting and probably impossibly frustrating at the same time!

As for more American Idol Season 8 firsts:

• *Hollywood week took place at the Kodak Theatre in L.A. (where the finale is held), which should prove quite intimidating for some contestants!
• *The Top 36 will compete after Hollywood week, not Top 24 as in recent seasons
• *80's theme night (when David Cook reinvented "Hello" and Jason Castro sweetly sang "Hallelujah" in Season 7) will be replaced by the Top 36 choosing from a list of the top 10 songs that have been featured on Billboard Top 100 from the 1950's to present
• *There's a new judge in town...Kara DioGuardi, who brings a sisterhood relationship and sort of back-up, if you will, for Paula Abdul (after all, they are former roommates!) against Randy and Simon
• *Speaking of roommates...I recall reading that the top 12 finalists will all live in one house this season, not bunked in separate smaller apartments as in past seasons...potentially causing some extra behind-the-scenes footage...and "reality" drama
• *To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Motown, there will be a Motown theme night, which thus far, has been the only confirmed theme night of AI Season 8
• *There's a lot of gossip around about 'younger' mentors working with the contestants this year (Simon even mentioned Britney Spears in an article saying he'd love to have her on the show, either to mentor contestants or perform if she'd be willing!)
• *The "Wild Card" round has returned for the first time since 2004
• *The Top 12 will not necessarily be derived of 6 males and 6 females...

Here is the episode schedule to choose the top 12 finalists, as I understand it:

- Wednesday, January 28 8-9PM - Salt Lake City, UT Auditions
- Thursday, January 29 8-9PM - San Juan, Puerto Rico Auditions
- Tuesday, February 3 8-9PM - Hollywood Round, Part 1
- Wednesday, February 4 8-9PM - Hollywood Round, Part 2
- Tuesday, February 10 8-9PM - Hollywood Round, Part 3
- Wednesday, February 11 8-10PM - Hollywood Round, Part 4
***Top 36 semifinalists announced on February 11***

The Top 36 are then split into three groups of 12. Each group will perform on Tuesday evenings over the next three weeks. America will vote after each pre-recorded show and a live results show airs each Wednesday night. The top male and top female contestant with the most votes each week will automatically advance to the Top 12. Additionally, the 3rd place contestant from each performance, whether male or female, will advance. So, America decides the Top 9 finalists as scheduled below:

- Tuesday, February 17 8-10PM - Group 1 semifinalists perform, America votes
- Wednesday, February 18 8-9PM - 1st live results show, top M/F and add'l finalist advance
- Tuesday, February 24 8-10PM - Group 2 semifinalists perform, America votes
- Wednesday, February 25 8-9PM - 2nd live results show, top M/F and add'l finalist advance
- Tuesday, March 3 8-10PM - Group 3 semifinalists perform, America votes
- Wednesday, March 4 8-9PM - 3rd live results show, top M/F and add'l finalist advance

Next comes a move we have not seen for a number of years. The "Wild Card" round returns, in which the judges will choose the remaining three finalists. Reportedly, it's a way for judges to ensure some diversity of talent in the finalists.

- Thursday, March 5 8-9PM - "Wild Card" episode, 3 of judges' picks advance
***Top 12 finalists revealed March 5th***

The season will continue on weekly, beginning with the Top 12 performing together for 1st time -Tuesday, March 10 8-10PM

Hopefully these changes will not disappoint the audiences who have grown to enjoy the well-oiled machine that American Idol has become. But perhaps, in the words of Sheryl Crow, "A Change Would Do You Good!"

What do you think of the proposed changes? Any you favor or dislike?

And on a happy note...I cannot WAIT to start dialing, can you?!