There will be plenty of changes in American Idol's ninth season, starting with the inclusion of rotating guest judges Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Shania Twain and Kristin Chenoweth, until new judge Ellen DeGeneres can take her seat at the judge's table during the Hollywood auditions. DeGeneres is replacing Paula Abdul, one of the original judges, who quit the show over a contract dispute.
This season, the show will go back to the 24-contestant format after trying out a 36-contestant experiment last season. Reducing the number of possible contestants during the Hollywood auditions will give the viewing audience a better chance to gauge the talent and likability of the 12 male and female singers vying for the title of the new American Idol. Producers are also eliminating the judges' 'wild card' option from season 8.
Simon Cowell has announced his intention to leave the show at the end of this season to act as executive producer and judge on an American version of his hit Brit talent show 'The X Factor', which will be airing on Fox in 2011. Shock-jock Howard Stern's name has been floated as a possible replacement for the acerbic Cowell, but producers say it will be some time before they make a decision. Randy Jackson's contract also expires at the end of Season 9, but there is no word yet on whether or not he intends to stay as the last of the original judges on American Idol.
Comments (0):