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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, November 25, 2003

'American Idol' offers yule show, possible Hawai'i spotlight

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

"An American Idol Christmas," at 7 tonight on KHON-2, assembles your favorite "A.I." winners and other finalists in a pre-Thanksgiving sing-out. (It repeats closer to Christmas, at 8 p.m. Dec. 23.)

Kelly Clarkson

Ruben Studdard

Clay Aiken
Kelly Clarkson, the first Idol, will be joined by Ruben Studdard, her successor, along with Clay Aiken, Christina Christian, Tamyra Gray, Kimberley Locke and The American Juniors (Lucy Hale, Chauncy Matthews, Taylor Thompson, Tori Thompson, Danielle White) in new versions of classic yuletide melodies.

Could a Christmas CD be far behind?

Fox's "American Idol" launches its third season Jan. 20 and 21 on KHON-2.

With Hawai'i part of the auditioning and taping process, there's vested interest in the new season. A landmark two-hour episode, from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 20, will kick off the quest to find America's latest idol.

A one-hour special episode follows, from 7 to 8 p.m. Jan. 21. Details have not been announced.

There's been a persistent buzz that Hawai'i will earn a full-hour episode somewhere down the line, because producers loved the scenic beauty of the Islands. However, programming plans have not been announced. Last season, the series bowed with a 90-minute special plus an add-on 30-minute special.

Some things remain the same: the host (Ryan Seacrest) and the judges (Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson) and, yes, those customary barbs from Simon.

The aspiring singers are ready to face the competition, and it's a good bet that some contestants will be from Hawai'i, including a highly touted (but not yet named) Maryknoll School student.