Besides the major change in the judges lineup, Nigel Lythgoe announced today several other significant changes to the show’s format. As an avid American Idol fan, I find these new changes heartening, and I think it will make for a much better show.
1. Sony Music is no longer AI’s record label partner; Interscope Geffen A&M is the new label and will be “much more hands-on” than Sony.
2. American Idol added Jimmy Iovine as in-house mentor. Iovine is the chairman of Interscope, and will spend several days a week with the contestants, mentoring them and helping them get better each week. In addition, Timbaland and Polow will be joining Interscope in helping the contestants improve as the show progresses.
“We’re going to try every week to bring the artist along. Really give them some input. And we’re going to try and show that, Nigel’s been coaching me on how we’re going to fit that in the show… we have producers like Timbaland and Polow who are going to be working every week… they can’t just be told sing better, someone has to work with them every week,” said Iovine.
3. There won’t be any more theme weeks. Each contestant will pick a genre and stay with that throughout the show. No more suffering through country week in which rock singers try to put twang in their voices…yay!
4. Idol is changing the rules on the artists, and how they can present themselves. Lythgoe didn’t give many details, but apparently there will be no more standing in front of a microphone singing. Sounds like they’ll be dancing and putting on a show more like real performers now!
They're trying to find a white female "pop" singer this year.
But it makes sense to get rid of them. If you're trying to market yourself as a pop artist, then you shouldn't be forced to sing country.
