American Idol Changes Format: Overview of Season 8

With American Idol getting down to the main competition, it's time to take a look at the new format of the show. For the most part, the audition portion was the same as it always has been. They did add one new judge, Kara DioGuardi, this season. Kara is a songwriter and has had songs on 39 albums in the Top 10 of the billboard charts. But that's not the only change that they have made to the season.

First thing of note, during the audition weeks that were aired, they focused on the better singers, rather than the funny or tragically horrible ones. They did show their fair share of bad auditions, but the good and at least mediocre were far more prevalent. Then, when they got to Hollywood, they added more days onto the process of narrowing down contestants. They narrowed the contestants down to 36 during 4 days of Hollywood cuts and the first stage of live performances for the viewers to vote will be to narrow 36 down to 9. Yes, that's right. America will be choosing 9 contestants. American Idol will no longer have a top 24, they are going straight for a top 12.

I know, 9 does not equal 12. That's because the final 3 spots will be chosen by the judges in a Wild Card round. This was first done in Season 3, but is being brought back again. Starting Tuesday, February 17th, the contestants will compete in groups of 12. The top male and female semifinalists who received the highest number of votes for their performance will instantly become a Top 12 finalist. Then the next highest vote getter, no matter the gender, will also move on to the top 12. On Thursday, March 5, the special "Wild Card" episode will air, featuring the judges' favorite remaining contestants to battle it out live for a last 3 spots left in the top 12. From there, it appears that things will go on as normal with all the contestants singing for their place on the next week.

Of note, due to the economic crisis, Fox and American Idol have decided to forgo the mini-telethon, Idol Gives Back, this season. They did not feel comfortable with asking people to donate when many are struggling across the country themselves. But, American Idol hasn't gone without controversy already. One of the chosen top 36, Joanna Pacitti, has been disqualified and replaced by Felicia Barton.

What will the rest of season 8 bring? You'll have to tune in and see.