American Idol Update
December 31, 2008

American Idol has finally released the official details of it's coming American Idol season.  Indeed there are format changes aimed at lifting ratings that had dropped last season.  The fun begins with the addition of a new judge and premieres on January 13 and 14 at 8/7c

• Top 36 Semi-Finalists Revealed Wednesday, February 11.
• Voting Begins Tuesday, February 17.
• Top 12 Singers Revealed After Judges' Wild Card Round Thursday, March 5.
• Top 12 Finalists Perform for First Time Tuesday, March 10.

The wait is almost over for the return of television's #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, January 13 and Wednesday, January 14 at 8/7c 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, January 20 (8/7c) and Wednesday, January 21 (8/7c); and Tuesday January 27 (8/7c) and Wednesday, January 28 (8/7c).  The final audition episode will air Thursday, January 29 (8/7c) on FOX.

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, February 3 (8/7c), Wednesday, February 4 (8/7c) and Tuesday, February 10 (8/7c).  On Wednesday, February 11 (8/7c), dreams come true for three dozen hopefuls, as Simon, Randy, Paula and Kara announce the Top 36 semifinalists.

It will then be up to America to decide who moves forward in the competition.  For three consecutive Tuesdays including:  February 17 (8/7c), February 24 (8/7c) and March 3 (8/7c), 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:  February 18 (8/7c), February 25 (8/7c) and March 4 (8/7c), the three finalists 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 (8/7c), American Idol presents a special "Wild Card" episode featuring the judges' favorite remaining contestants.  After each of the contestants performs, 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 (8/7c). Immediately following, America has another chance to share its voice and vote for their favorite finalists.

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