American Idol update! The new season's confirmed on
M-Net Series with the same timeline as last year.
It premieres on Wednesday, 4 March 2009 and runs twice a week on Wednesdays and Thursdays - with the first Thursday show on 5 March.
I was initially iffy about the dates because of how last season's Finale went out within hours of being on in the US - I was concerned it was starting too late to happen again.
It seems it will though - Season 7 premiered in the US in mid-January 2008, we caught up by seeing two episodes a week and the schedule runs the same this year.
The new season premiered in the US on 13 January, 2009 so we should catch up on time.
The season itself has numerous changes, most notably a new, extra judge in the body of Kara DioGuardi -
- music producer and Idol Pop singer-songwriter. Types she's written songs for include Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion and Paula Abdul.
Another change is that Nigel Lythgoe isn't producing on the season. Before it launched he announced that he's focusing exclusively on the international versions of
So You Think You Can Dance.
Goss! It's also confirmed that we'll be getting a second season of SYTYCD SA but it's also looking likely it won't be on SABC1 again. According to producer Duncan Irvin of Rapid Blue it could swap channels. Other AI changes: they've reduced the number of first-round audition episodes and there's more of a focus on the behind-the-scenes reality of the show - how everyone responds to the competition, their emotions, loathing's, murders etc.
The Wildcard aspect from Season 3 makes a comeback and the competition heats up to 36 finalists.
The show will be on at 19h00, on both Wednesdays and Thursdays.