'American Idol' returns with a few tweaks
By Lynn Elber
Associated Press
Changes are in store for in the smash televised talent show that is "American Idol." Male contestants are getting a break with a rule change that promises 12 of 24 semifinalists spots to the guys, and celebrity judges are on board.
Fox photo
The show debuts with a two-hour episode at 7 p.m.tomorrow and a one-hour show at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Kenny Loggins, center left, is one of the guest judges joining Randy Jackson, left, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell, right, at the San Francisco auditions for the upcoming season of "American Idol."
For Fox, the program has been a shining star in a weak schedule. "American Idol" scored its best ratings among advertiser-coveted viewers aged 18 to 49 last year and ended as the No. 1 show among that group. (The finale audience, however, was smaller than the year before, about 28.8 million compared to 38.1 million for 2003.)
"The show works as it is, it's proven that it's worked," said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz.
"What we're trying to do for 'AI-4' is to tweak it a bit to bring new things to the viewer and improve it a bit where we think we can improve it."
The judging panel remains unchanged: Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and wasp-tongued Simon Cowell are returning, joined by a new parade of celebrity critics (this time around including Brandy, LL Cool J, Gene Simmons and Kenny Loggins).
Host Ryan Seacrest, who diplomatically handles good and bad performers and runs interference for Cowell's worst barbs, calls this a "pivotal year."
"There's a fine line between changing too much and keeping the show fresh," he said, predicting viewers will welcome the results.
One unaltered element is the telephone voting system that had some fans crying foul as repeated efforts to call in and support their favorite were met by busy signals.
"Nothing's ever perfect ... but we have the best possible system out there," said Frot-Coutaz.
The bulk of changes are intended to create a stronger emotional connection with contestants and to strengthen the show's process, according to producers.
In addition to the changes ensuring a half-male pack of semifinalists, and an age-limit increase from 24 to 28, the show has also increased the number of audition rounds, to three weeks, followed by two weeks in Los Angeles.
"We're going into some of these people's homes, into their lives, follow their journey a bit more," Frot-Coutaz said. "Audition shows will get out of the audition room a bit more."
The show is trying to hook a big-name artist as celebrity judge for audition segments — Paul McCartney is No. 1 on the most-wanted list — whose music is part of the competition, as with the Barry Manilow bonanza last season.
Performance and live elimination rounds will begin Feb. 21, five weeks into the season (compared to four weeks last year). The 24 semifinalists will be pared to 12 during a three-week period in which the show will air three times a week. The men compete in one, the women in another, with results announced the third day.
Cross-gender competition begins March 15, when the program returns to twice-weekly airings, with the finale May 24-25.
Whether "American Idol" can maintain its status as a hit of watercooler stature is uncertain, said industry analysts.
"It's always possible for these things to have a resurgence ... but look at what happened to 'Survivor,' said Larry Gerbrandt of Century City-based Alix Partners.
The latest finale of the CBS reality show was the least-popular yet, beaten by ABC's smash "Desperate Housewives."
"There's less of a phenomenon feel to it," Gerbrandt said of "American Idol," but added, "It's always possible that America could fall in love all over again."
Success is fickle for all but a tiny handful of TV series, said Dennis McAlpine of Scarsdale, N.Y.-based research firm McAlpine Associates. "Very few shows remain highly popular," he said, usually peaking within four years.
"American Idol" could well be among the exceptions, contended Frot-Coutaz.
"I think it has the potential to be one of these very long-running franchises," she said. "These things do exist. They don't come along very often but I think it could be one of them."
