FOX Adds More American Idol Hours
More Performance Shows to Be 2 Hours for American Idol Season 9
The show going overtime caused controversy, most notably when Adam Lambert's performance of Mad World bled into the Fringe time slot, causing many DVR users to panic. This season, FOX is adding additional viewing hours.
Traditionally, American Idol has had two hour shows for the Top 12 and Top 11 performance rounds, with the Top 10 being 90 minutes and Top 9 only an hour.
According to The Hollywood Reporter site, this season, the Top 10 and Top 9 performance shows will also be two hours. Idol viewers will be treated to two-hour shows on March 16, March 23, March 30 and April 6.
Hopefully American Idol will use the extra time to let viewers get to know more about the contestants.
That important component was sorely missing from the show last season, when the producers chose to let the judges' arguing and special guest stars overshadow the performers. Perhaps they have forgotten that the aspiring singers are the stars of the show. Most viewers aren't tuning in for the judges.
The other possibility is that FOX will pad the show with more advertising and more "fluff" segments about the judges, themes, and guest stars. Viewer ratings for the show continue to slide each year and with the departure of fan-favorite judge Paula Abdul this season, meaningless content is likely to discourage more viewers.
It's doubtful that the two-hour shows will result in the performers being allowed to sing more than the usual 90-second snippets of songs. Will American Idol fans sit through the entire extended shows, or will they be tempted to change the channel in the second hour? And how will it effect voting? The later ending time will mean that voting starts later as well. Working adults and school-aged children may skip the second hour of the voting window.
The longer shows could be a boon or a bane for American Idol. If the producers are in tune with the viewing audience, they'll spend more time on the contestants.
Published by Kathy Chiri
Freelance writer, vegetarian, and coffee-addict from Houston, TX. I love cats, reality television, history, and anything to do with vampires. I've been writing for about 15 years. My specialties are food... View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentThanks! And you could be right about the Simon thing.
There is one more update on hours. Hollywood week, the Tuesday show will be 2 hours as well.
With Simon opting out for next season, maybe they are trying to get some extra hours with him, etc? Welcome to AC!