Reports: 'American Idol' Won't 'Give Back' This Year

Zap2It.com | December 12, 2008

'American Idol' judge Kara DioGuardi

Other changes include more semifinalists, fewer bad auditions

"American Idol" is making several small-to-moderate changes to its format for this season, according to a memo leaked online.

The tweaks include a shorter run of audition episodes at the start of the season -- which in turn means fewer bad singers in the spotlight -- and more semifinalists chosen during the Hollywood round. The show has also decided to do away with its "Idol Gives Back" charity special this year.

Those details and others were revealed in an internal FOX memo posted at the "Idol"-obsessed site MJ's Big Blog. The show has already announced one big change -- the addition of fourth judge Kara DioGuardi, who joined the show in August.

The memo says FOX will air three weeks of audition episodes this year, down from four in the past couple of seasons. It also says that the show's promotional push will downplay the tone-deaf and deluded auditioners in favor of more "aspirational" contestants -- which seems to be in keeping with early promos emphasizing the dream-making aspect of the show.

With the audition shows cut back by a week, that allows "Idol" to spend two weeks on the Hollywood rounds. The judges will also be choosing more semifinalists out of those rounds -- 36, up from 24 in previous seasons. The memo also mentions the re-introduction of a wild-card round this season, although it offers no other details.

Finally, the show has decided to sideline the "Idol Gives Back" special this season; reports say the recession is mostly to blame.

"American Idol" premieres Tuesday, Jan. 13 on FOX.