American Idol season 8
Template:Future television series
| American Idol season 8 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Created by | Simon Fuller |
| Directed by | Bruce Gowers |
| Starring | Ryan Seacrest Paula Abdul Simon Cowell Randy Jackson Kara DioGuardi[1] |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 0 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Ken Warwick Simon Fuller |
| Running time | Varies |
| Original release | |
| Network | FOX |
| Release | January 13, 2009 – TBA |
The eighth season of American Idol will premiere in January 13, 2009. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson will return to judge once again, along with Ryan Seacrest as host. Kara DioGuardi was announced as the fourth and newest judge to the 'Idol' panel. [2]
Changes from Season 7
Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly has stated the competition would feature fewer "William Hung-like" contestants and "funny auditions", and will quickly move its focus on the potential singers during the earlier stages of the competition. The upcoming season of the show will also move at a faster pace and thus will revert back to half-hour result shows, which was formerly done prior to Season 5.[3]
Idol will also have a new Executive Producer as Nigel Lythgoe confirmed that he was leaving Idol and stated that he was moving on with So You Think You Can Dance.[4]
In a change to the judging panel, for the first time, the show will feature a fourth judge, songwriter and record producer Kara DioGuardi.[1]
Early process
Regional auditions phase
Locations
The auditions were held in the following cities:[5]
| Audition City | Date | Audition Venue |
| San Francisco, CA[6] | July 17, 2008 | Cow Palace |
| Louisville, KY | July 21, 2008 | Freedom Hall |
| Glendale, AZ[7] | July 25, 2008 | Jobing.com Arena |
| Salt Lake City, UT | July 29, 2008 | EnergySolutions Arena |
| San Juan, Puerto Rico | August 2, 2008 | Coliseo de Puerto Rico |
| Kansas City, MO | August 8, 2008 | Kemper Arena |
| Jacksonville, FL | August 13, 2008 | Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena |
| East Rutherford, NJ | August 19, 2008 | IZOD Center |
Contestants are required to be between the ages 16 and 28 on July 15, 2008 and eligible to work in the United States. Those ineligible include former contestants who reached the top 40 of past seasons, (although those who made the top 50 during season 7 are eligible if they meet all other eligibility criteria), and those holding recording or management contracts or those who are not US citizens or landed immigrants. (i.e. temporary residents).
References
- ^ a b Associated Press
- ^ Songwriter Kara DioGuardi joins 'American Idol' panel
- ^ OK! Magazine - First for Celebrity News - Less is More for Next Season of American Idol
- ^ Lythgoe Leaving 'American Idol'
- ^ Who Will Be The Next Singing Superstar? - American Idol News
- ^ Release says San Francisco; arena is actually in Daly City, though part of its property is in San Francisco.
- ^ Release says Phoenix; arena is actually in Glendale.