Spicing Things Up: Changes Coming to the Idol Audition Stage?
As we get set to send home more superstar hopefuls on American Idol this week, producers are already looking ahead to next season. And one of the big topics is how to shake up the audition stage of the competition a bit so it doesn't get...well, it's already stale. (Maybe rotten?)
Check out the details we have so far from Ben Grossman's article in Broadcasting & Cable:
There are still 20 contestants remaining in this season’s cycle of American Idol, but Fox executives are already looking ahead to changes for next year.
Preston Beckman, the network’s executive vice president of strategic program planning and research, said he wants to see adjustments to the audition shows that kick off the ratings behemoth every year.
“It won’t necessarily be anything radical; we just have to figure out how to start the show next year,” said Beckman, who’s looking for a way to stem a ratings drop the network saw last month. “The early part saw some erosion and then we got to Hollywood.”
That “erosion” includes this year’s premiere, which earned a 14.4 rating in the adult 18-49 demo, down from a 16.1 last year. Viewership also dipped from 38 million to 34.5 million -- numbers that nevertheless make every other network salivate.
Beckman said it is far too early to talk about any specific changes, but the show is heavily tested through market research and that will help to guide the plans. This year, the show has been shamelessly pushing the level of the talent pool after last year’s Sanjaya Malakar sideshow.
But he was not concerned about the franchise overall, which continues to dominate in its seventh season.
“The good news is that there is still enormous sentiment for the show,” he said. “If you listen to the audience, you will generally be fine.”
So, what's all that mean for us fans?
Idol is going to continue to evolve to meet the changing tastes of the audience. Producers will do what they can to make it bigger and better! Every year, it's both different and completely familiar...but that's part of the fun!
We look for the singers - good and bad - who catch us offguard and truly offer something unique we can laugh at or feel good about.
In the end, it all comes down to the people who audition.
Although, all three FOX43 Idol Experts agree that the audition stage dragged out a bit this season...and you don't cross them, FOX!
 | Collins: Here's to spicing things up! And, hey...while we're at it, is anyone thinking the judges are becoming a bit stale, too? If Paula suddenly disappeared after the end of Season 7, would it be that horrible a thing? I'm just saying, is all. She's incoherent most of the time, anyway. |
Don't forget to check out American Idol, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights on FOX43 -- and look for our Idol Experts' thoughts and predictions right here in the "Idol Chatter" feature!
