(Thanks to peggybac for finding this article)
Liguori [Peter Liguori, FOX Entertainment President], for one, believes "Idol" is too much of an institution to be impacted much, either way, by the strike."Strike or no strike, January is 'Idol' season," Liguori says. "I don't think a lot about how the strike affects 'Idol.' " …
What may impact this year's bow is the general feeling that last year's edition was a tad lackluster. The show saw some ratings declines as the season progressed, and the ultimate showdown between Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis didn't generate as much excitement as past final faceoffs.
Even uber judge Simon Cowell wasn't wowed by the "Idol" class of 2007.
"I think last year just wasn't one of our better seasons," the snarky Brit says, adding that to some degree, producers "are at the mercy of who shows up for the competition." Of course, Simon being, well, Simon, he has some notes for his "Idol" producers.
"The show has got to look better. It's got to be more fun as a show," he says. "It absolutely comes down to the content of what we provide the viewers."
Exec producer Nigel Lythgoe concedes that mistakes were made last year. For starters, Lythgoe says the show spent too much time on big-name guest mentors and performers [and a self-righteous telethon!], at the expense of investing viewers in who's who (particularly early in the show's competition).
"We need to put our hand up and take the blame," he says. "We missed out on telling the best stories. If (contestants) were uninteresting, it's because we made them uninteresting."
As a result, "Idol" is looking to shake things up this year by spending more time on those contestant backstories.
"I want to give up that time and focus on the kids," Lythgoe says. "It's the emotional hooks that sell us, and get us watching every week. I don't think last year we were necessarily an appointment to view. There wasn't a 'I want to watch Bo Bice win' or 'I want to see Justin Guarini get kicked off' feeling to the show."
Already, the marketing of "Idol" has reflected that change, Liguori says.
"We've had our promos talk a little bit more about 'I'm from Nebraska, I'm a cotton candy maker,' and 'I'm from Oklahoma, I'm a cowboy,' " he says. "We're basically trying to set it up that this is a show about people with stories. ... It's about people who think they're good (singers) and (are) not, and people who think they're good and are great."
The behind-the-scenes emphasis will also mean more airtime for contestants' friends and families. Lythgoe notes that the singers themselves may have no connection with some of the older music -- think David Bowie tunes -- but their parents might.
Of course, that's not to say the show will eschew mentors and celeb guests entirely. After all, part of the singers' "Idol" experience includes those brushes with superstars like Stevie Wonder or Jennifer Lopez.
"It's just an amazing journey they're on," Lythgoe says. "We just got carried away with it."
That's not the only change "Idol" fans will see when the talent competish returns Jan. 12. Also on tap:
A new set and opening graphics are in the works. The backdrops for "Idol's" performance shows will now look much bigger, thanks to giant gyroscopes and towers.
As for the very familiar computerized opening titles, Lythgoe was still deciding whether to go with a drastically different opening featuring a real female model (vs. the traditional unisex computerized singer).
Some auditioning contestants will be seen playing instruments rather than simply singing in front of a backdrop. "There's an awful lot of musical talent out there that's not just about singing," Lythgoe says.Three farewell songs, as opposed to one (in last year's case, Daughtry's "Home"). The first, to be used during the early rounds of the competition, will be "Hollywood Is Not America" by Ferras.
Lythgoe is keeping a lid on the song to be used during the final round of 12, but hints that a "major recording star" has covered a classic hit.But, he adds, "ultimately, we as a network are nothing but on that surfboard, and 'Idol' is the wave. Some years it's a huge wave, and some years it's not as big." For his part, Cowell isn't worried about "Idol's" future.
"It's a very, very well-made show that's got a better cast this (season)," he says. Contestant-wise, "I will go on record as saying this is one of the strongest years we've had."
It’s about time !!! I want to laugh and so does DH. I want something to come home to after dollar fish taco night at Rubio’s !!
Gee, Simon. Ya think?
I feel like summer's over and we're all returning to school.
Missed everyone and will enjoy catching up.
This year's telethon is slated for April 9th.
American Idol Hosts "Idol Gives Back" Again Wednesday April 9 12/13/07
“IDOL GIVES BACK” RETURNS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, ON FOX
After raising an astounding $75 million last season, AMERICAN IDOL will once again host IDOL GIVES BACK, a music celebration raising awareness and benefiting various U.S. and international charities.
The two-hour concert and fundraiser will air Wednesday, April 9 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.
In 2007, IDOL GIVES BACK raised $75 million for various U.S. charities that deliver support to underprivileged children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country, providing them with medical care, food and grocery products, health and life skills, literacy programs and obesity prevention, among other important initiatives. In Africa, funds were dedicated to organizations that support efforts to battle poverty through various health and education programs, including delivering medical supplies and providing clean water.
The brainchild of Simon Fuller, last season’s IDOL GIVES BACK special featured performances from the AMERICAN IDOL stage, where Ryan Seacrest hosted alongside AMERICAN IDOL judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. The special was also broadcast from the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles where Ellen DeGeneres served as host.
more at link
Meant to comment on this earlier. I hope this doesn't mean we will be saddled with these two again.
Really, I don't want to hear the stories. It sounds like they're trying to turn American Idol into the NBC Olympics. It's all the backstories that ruin the Olympics for me. All those heart-tugging, emotional vignettes. I hate them. That's why I stopped watching the Olympics. Maybe it's just me, but I don't like having my emotions manipulated that way. Just show us the singing, or skating, or whatever. Stop with the backstories.