The Hollywood Reporter is breaking out a list of maybe-they’re-true-maybe-they’re-not changes for the upcoming American Idol 2011 season. Well, kinda new because we’ve seen all of these ideas before over the past few months. Let’s run down the list and see what floats and what sinks.
- Updated Set: Relocating the band – Yep, reported that on Sunday.
- Faster Elimination: Goodbye Top 24. Hello Top 12. Or maybe Top 15. – Everyone keeps on saying this. Sounds fair.
- Online Voting: Vote with a quick click. -November’s rumor news. Readers here want this more than any other change.
- New Living Arrangement: An Idol mansion. – Month old news, but yes please!
- Original Songs: Hopefuls won’t be limited to cover songs. – Last week’s rumor, but we’ll see.
- Theme Week Makeovers: Songs will be customized to the Hopefuls. – No more fish out of water situations.
- Possible Music Videos: Testing Hopefuls marketability. – Reported this 2 months ago, but how will they incorporate it smoothly?
- Faster Music Releases: Finalists will be releasing singles and albums earlier in the summer. – Faster is better, but how about just “better”? Idol sales have been horrible, let’s focus on improving quality first.
Keep in mind that these are really just rumors, even if they’re attributed to producers within the show. Until the new season of American Idol premieres on January 19, 2011 everything will remain up in the air as producers try to dial in on what will bring the highest ratings.
Which of these potential changes have you the most excited? I’m expecting #3 to pick up the most support in the comments, but maybe you all will surprise me!
PS – THR calls this list their “Exclusive: 8 Big Changes” which is funny because these rumors were all previously reported here as early as November. Maybe THR should have subscribed to our free email updates or joined us on Facebook! Have you?
Yes, yes, yes for the voting change…like the idea of customizing Theme week for the individual contestants. Wonder how they will incorporate the music videos…sounds interesting…Thank you Matt, as always, for keeping us all informed. Really looking forward to the new season. 🙂
@Rose….I'm in total agreement about the voting, the rest of these rumors remain to be seen. In less than two weeks we will see what this new show is all about…I'm really excited about this Season. Did you watch "Live to Dance", Paula's new show?
@Matt…did you watch the new show? Are you going to report on it?
VOTING.VOTING VOTING…needed to be changed…
music videos…rather seen the performer live
@Phyllis: Sorry, I didn't catch Paula's new show. Feel free to discuss it here, but I don't plan to cover it.
@Phyllis. I did not see all of Paula's new show Live to Dance. But what I did see, Paula is definitely being Paula…which for me, is a good thing…I have always liked her. The show did have some amazing talent. Don't know if I will continue to follow it or not. Still looking forward to AI. Have a good one. 🙂
Hi Phyllis G. (Las Vegas) Did you watch "Live to dance with Paula? "We watched about 10 minutes of it. Maybe not enough to give it a chance because it was rated the top show for that day! I am used to watching "So you think you can dance". And the dancers on there are awesome! And they only pick one winner out of all the dancers who try out. I like the number 3 above also. Just a quick click on the computer to vote. I can never get through on the phone lines. I hope they have some good talent on AI this year! Not much else to say. Busy holidays! Take care. Can't wait to see the start of AI. I am curious what it is going to be up against? Do you know Matt? Thanks; Sherry K
@Matt…thanks for responding but I'm still not sure if I like it…..I do like Paula but there is just too much going on with this show. Maybe when it gets down to the final groups it will get better…..Knowing me, TV junkie, I'll probably watch it and see what happens….
@Sherry….Hi…good to see you on line…less than 2 weeks to AI…I am really psyched…..
I feel the way you do…I love "So you think you can dance" but LTD is more on the order of AI but with a lot more going on (not necessarily a good thing)…
@Rose…..I'm with you…I like Paula but I don't know if thats going to be enough to sustain this show. Its still early but I'll give it a chance….For now!!!!!
Its Idol that I'm getting excited about now….12 more days to go!!!!!!YEAH
@ Phyllis…I know…I am like a little kid in a candy store…I too liked So, You Think You Can Dance…not sure about the sustainability of LTD…even with Paula.
@ Sherry K…agree with Phyllis…good to see you back on line. Looking forward to another Idol season…Whoo Hoo…bring it on… 🙂
@All of the above, sorry haven’t watched the dance reality shows, but it’s nice to know that there is an alternative to watch from time to time!
Hi Rose! It is so nice to talk to you again too! I kind of think Phyllis G. is right and you are right too about Paula's show. She is up against some big name shows. It's hard to get anything "unless it'a spectacular" to make it in that mode.I too am like a kid in a candy store. The only thing we ever do for fun is watch tv. It is the cheapest form of fun these days! I really love everyone on this talk panel. But Phyllis G. is special! And so are you Rose. Love to both of you. I can't wait until they start to talk about it! Bye for now! Sherry K
@ Sherry…Hello to you too. And Angela..so glad you are feeling better..some sort of stomach bug going around in this part of the country. I am definitely counting down the days…while I babysit, I will be able to introduce my newest grandbaby to music via AI…so much fun..Phyllis..hope it is nice and warm in your neck of the woods…we have snow and freezing weather…and a thank you to Matt who keeps us all informed. Great site…great new friends. Have a good one. 🙂
@Sherry K. …..You are so sweet. Thank you…..I love this site too, especially good friends that I've made over the years….you, Rose, Angela and dozens of others…..I can't wait until we can discuss AI again….It is so much fun….
Regarding Live to Dance….I watched the 2nd show and it was the result show. I kind of liked the way they did it. The judges picked so many and then they had the last two spots to fill and they narrowed it down to 4 acts and then they had a dance off. They picked one and then the final spot is up to the public and we'll find out on the next show who they picked. Interesting…….You know me, I love TV too so I will watch or DVR LTD…..but I'm waiting patiently for AI to start 8 more days to go…..
Hi Rose…Hope all is well….Angela…..I hope you are feeling better. Rose, my weather is beautiful here…..Starting Wed. we will be in the 60's…YEAH….thats the reason I live here and not back East…..LOL
@ Phyllis…I hear you. I have to admit the snow is pretty and of course expected up here…but cold, cold, cold. So looking forward to the new season also…love to compare notes on favorites and judging…great site. Hello to Angela, Sherry, Matt and all the other friends. Let's get this thing rolling. Have a wonderful day. 🙂
I like American Idol.