By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Tuesday, December 15, 2015
When Fox last year said "American Idol' would be trimmed this season, the network wasn't kidding. Based on initial information from Idol Pad, the network is shaving about six weeks from its typical season.
The show used to run up to 20 weeks. The past two years, "Idol" reduced hours by dropping the results show. The tentative schedule said season 15 will be merely 14 weeks, starting January 6 and ending April 7. MJ has the schedule here, which includes only three audition episodes and six weeks of live shows instead of 11. This means they will likely mean some double elimination episodes.
Not sure if they'll dare copy "The Voice" and do a quick slash one week from 9 to 4 as they did last week.
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The top 24 is out in spoiler form here - and the producers didn't force an even gender count, if this is accurate. There are 13 women and 11 guys. In reality, there have always been more women trying out than guys but the talent hasn't always been even. When I have more time, I'll try to figure out if Atlanta will have any representatives this year.
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Fox has released a 22-minute documentary extolling the legacy of "American Idol." Watch it here:
Since this was not a truly "objective" doc, there is no mention of Ellen DeGeneres, Corey Clark, Nicki Minaj or Mariah Carey. But it's still fun to watch Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell reminisce, along with Ryan Seacrest, who has a distracting week-long facial growth. Creator Simon Fuller and a couple of journalists thrown in to boot. (Not me!)
You get all the obvious folks namechecked such as Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Phillip Phillips, Chris Daughtry and Scotty McCreery. Fantasia's "Summertime," David Archuleta's "Imagine," David Cook's "Billie Jean" and Adam Lambert's "Mad World" are mentioned. Oddly, Pia Toscano gets more air time than Clay Aiken.
It's a lovely retrospective for any super fan. Of course, we super fans would enjoy a 90-minute documentary with real behind the scenes dirt, too. Maybe someday...
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Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
I am getting 10 minutes with Seacrest today to talk about "Idol." I will post the interview in full before the show's return January 6. I will certainly ask him about a tidbit from the documentary above. Were the producers seriously considering Seacrest as a judge?
I'm also going to talk to Simon Cowell next month before "America's Got Talent" auditions in Atlanta. This would be my third time talking to him one on one. He will take over for Howard Stern as judge for season 11.
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Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
If you miss season 7 winner David Cook, check him out February 24 at Terminal West. Tickets are $22-$75. The VIP tix are already gone. You can fit about 600 people in that venue.
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Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Season 3 winner Fantasia and Anthony Hamilton are co-headlining a show January 2 at Fox Theatre. Ticket prices are a bit elevated, probably because it's New Year's weekend: $63.50 to $103.50 before fees.
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