"Idol" is adding a "super voting" option online that can allow you to place up to 50 votes at once for one contestant (or spread it among multiple contestants.)

This is in addition to the usual texting, on-line and calling options.

Let the publicists explain:

Viewers will be able to SuperVote – cast multiple votes at one time – via any of these AT&T AMERICAN IDOL VOTE destinations: americanidol.com, the AMERICAN IDOL mobile app (data and message rates may apply) and Facebook. To SuperVote, fans can allocate any number of votes for one contestant or multiple contestants, for a total of 50 votes (across all online voting destinations), and in a unique interactive experience, they can adjust their vote selections as performances happen during the show. When the voting window officially opens, fans can submit their final votes – all at once. [Only fans with a registered Facebook account in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will be able to cast their vote(s) online.]

The 10 female semifinalists perform tomorrow on a special Tuesday episode. The 10 men come to the stage Wednesday and results will be announced for the top 10 Thursday. This is the first time "Idol" has opted for just 10 finalists since season 1. It has since drawn 12 or 13 finalists. The show is ending a week earlier in May than it has in the past so that leaves one extra wiggle room week, presumably for a "save" situation.

This move is clearly a hope to generate more votes, even as fewer and fewer people are actually watching the program. The show in recent weeks has been drawing 13 to 15 million viewers with far fewer 18-49 viewers than, say, "The Walking Dead" or "The Big Bang Theory." In general, "Idol" is down about 20 to 25 percent in viewers from a year ago.

***

"Idol' is replicating the Olympic torch run with a "mic" run, another furious attempt at generating publicity. The mic comes to Atlanta tomorrow, Tuesday, March 5. Season four runner up Bo Bice, who wrapped packages for "Idol" in December at Lenox and showed up at a screening of the first episode in January, will be by for the Fox 5 visit at 8 a.m. and the World of Coke stop afterwards.  Here's the schedule if you want to check it out.

FOX Affiliate - 8:00-8:30

World of Coca-Cola  - 8:45-9:30

Fountain of Rings in Centennial Park - 9:30-9:50

Georgia Aquarium - 9:50-10:30 (Tunnel and Dolphin Show with GA Aquarium Staff)

Fox Theatre with Infinite Harmony Georgia Tech's Mixed A Cappella Group - 10:30-10:50

Piedmont Park-10:50-11:15 (BeltLine Coalition Bike Riders)

The Varsity - 11:15-11:35 (Varsity Waiters and Cooks)

Georgia Tech - 11:35-12:15 (Team Student Athletes - Basketball, Soccer, Etc.)

About Rodney Ho

I cover local radio and TV for both the print and online editions. I write a blog on the same topics.

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