American Idol season 8
American Idol season 8 | |
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Created by | Simon Fuller |
Directed by | Ken Warwick Bruce Gowers |
Starring | Simon Cowell Paula Abdul Randy Jackson Kara DioGuardi Ryan Seacrest |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of episodes | 20 |
Production | |
Executive producers | Ken Warwick Simon Fuller |
Running time | Varies |
Original release | |
Network | Fox Broadcasting Company |
Release | January 13 – May 20, 2009 |
The eighth season of American Idol premiered on January 13, 2009. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson are judges once again, along with Ryan Seacrest as host. This season introduced Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on the Idol panel.[1]
Changes from Season 7
Several changes were planned for season 8. Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly stated that Idol would feature fewer "William Hung-like" contestants and "funny auditions," and would quickly move its focus to the potential singers during the earlier stages of the competition, thus moving the season at a faster pace. The results shows were cut down to a half-hour, as they had been before season five.[2] Mike Darnell, president of Fox's alternative programming, said the contestants would be more emotional and that viewers would learn more about them and their pasts than they had in the previous season.[3] Songwriter and record producer Kara DioGuardi was added as a permanent fourth judge on the panel. She had previously collaborated with Celine Dion, Hilary Duff, Enrique Iglesias, Leona Lewis and Christina Aguilera, and produced several Top 40 hits. As a songwriter, she had already worked with several American Idol alumni and winners, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, David Archuleta and David Cook.[4] Meanwhile, Ken Warwick became the new executive producer, as Nigel Lythgoe had left the show to focus on So You Think You Can Dance and his new show with Simon Fuller, Superstars of Dance.[5] Idol Gives Back was canceled for season 8, as the ongoing economic crisis and recession, left Idol officials uncomfortable asking financially struggling viewers to donate.[6] The semifinals saw the biggest change as the wild card round returned for the first time since the third season. After voters picked three finalists from each of three groups of 12 semi-finalists, the judges selected eight of the previously eliminated 27 semifinalists to return and perform a song on the March 5, 2009, show. They were judged by the panel, instead of a vote by the viewers, with four advancing to the finals.[7] [8] Although the finals had been billed from the beginning of the season as a set of 12 contestants, the judges announced at the last minute that they would be advancing a thirteenth contestant, Anoop Desai, as well.
Another change in the Idol format, which was revealed on March 11, 2009, that the judges are eligible to exercise a veto power on one eliminated contestant at any given point of the competition and spare them from elimination for that particular week. This can only be invoked up until the Final 5. The following week two contestants will be eliminated if the save is used because nobody is eliminated on the week that the save is used.
Early process
Regional auditions phase
- Locations
Auditions were held in the following cities:[9]
Audition City | Date | Audition Venue |
San Francisco, California[10] | July 17, 2008 | Cow Palace |
Louisville, Kentucky[11] | July 21, 2008 | Freedom Hall |
Glendale, Arizona[12] | July 25, 2008 | Jobing.com Arena |
Salt Lake City, Utah | July 29, 2008 | EnergySolutions Arena |
San Juan, Puerto Rico | August 2, 2008 | Coliseo de Puerto Rico |
Kansas City, Missouri | August 8, 2008 | Kemper Arena |
Jacksonville, Florida | August 13, 2008 | Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena |
East Rutherford, New Jersey | August 19, 2008 | Izod Center |
Contestants are required to be between the ages 16 and 28 on July 15, 2008 and eligible to work in the United States. Contestants are ineligible if they were part of the top 40 from previous seasons (exception being for those who reached the top 50 from season 7), if they hold recording or management contracts or if they are not U.S. citizens or landed immigrants (i.e. temporary residents).
Hollywood phase
For this season, the Hollywood round moved to the Kodak Theatre, which was previously used for the season finale from seasons 1 and 3–6, from the Orpheum Theatre. In addition, the Hollywood round was extended to two weeks. In the first round, the 147 contestants each sang a short solo performance of any song. The next part had the remaining 107 contestants performing in a group performance. The 72 contestants that passed group day, performed one more solo song, and then the judges split them into four groups, and only left 54. The final 54 then went to the "judges' mansion" in Los Angeles for the final results, and the Top 36 were announced. Some contestants had a sing-off to determine who would go through the top 36.
Semi-finalists
The top 36 were announced in a special two-hour broadcast on Wednesday, February 11, 2009. [13]
The song theme is shared by 3 groups of performers: Billboard Hot 100 Hits
Semi-Final #1
- Ann Marie Boskovich, 23 (born February 11, 1986) from Nashville, Tennessee – a waitress who auditioned in Jacksonville, Florida.
- Casey Carlson, 20 (born April 29, 1988) from Minneapolis, Minnesota – a tea shop employee who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri, sang "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton for her audition.
- Stephen Fowler, 26 (born October 12, 1982) from Beachwood, Ohio – a musician who auditioned in New York. His version of "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" by Stevie Wonder impressed the judges in Hollywood. However on the last day, he gave up mid-way through his performance of "The Time of My Life" by David Cook after he forgot his lyrics, restarted and forget them a second time at the keyboard.
- Brent Keith, 29 (born November 6, 1979) from Blanchester, Ohio – a singer who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. He was a sixth place finalist on the second season of Nashville Star and recorded a song for the soundtrack to the documentary Dale[14].
- "Hicktown" (Jason Aldean)
- Jackie Tohn, 28 (born August 24, 1980) from Silver Lake, California – an actress/musician who auditioned in East Rutherford, New Jersey with the song "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz for her audition. She has appeared on such TV shows as The Nanny, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Sopranos, and starred in the cult classic Postal.
- Stevie Wright, 16 (born June 5, 1992) from Phelan, California – a high school student who auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona and sang "At Last" by Etta James.
Semi-Final #2
- Matt Breitzke, 27 (born July 23, 1981) from Bixby, Oklahoma – a welder who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri.
- Mishavonna Henson, 18 (born July 25, 1990) from Irvine, California – an actress who auditioned on her birthday in Phoenix, Arizona. She previously auditioned in San Diego for Season 7 and made it to Hollywood Week, but she was cut in the second round. Before auditioning for American Idol, she was best known for her acting appearances in Frasier, and Charlie Lawrence[2]. She is also the sister of young actor, Micah Henson. Although Mishavonna failed to get passed semi final, her performance of Train's Drops Of Jupiter prompted many viewers to download the original song which quickly after entered somewhere in iTunes Top 50.
- Kai Kalama, 27 (born January 8, 1982) - from San Clemente, California – a musician who auditioned in San Francisco, California. His mother has a seizure disorder that forced him to abandon his social life to take care of her.
- Nick Mitchell ("Normund Gentle"), 27 (born April 24, 1981) from Brookfield, Connecticut – a comedian who auditioned in New York. Normund Gentle is the name of the character that Nick auditioned as. He advanced into the Top 36, much to the chagrin of Simon, who is not a fan.
- Jeanine Vailes, 28 (born September 22, 1980) from Sherman Oaks, California – a bartender who auditioned in San Francisco, California.
Semi-Final #3
- Arianna Afsar, 17 (born October 22, 1991) from San Diego, California – a high school student who auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona, singing "Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae. When she was 12 years old, she founded a program called "Adopt A Grand-Friend," where teenagers visit nursing homes to spend time with the elderly and perform for them. Afsar is a former Miss California's Outstanding Teen and placed first runner-up at the 2006 Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant. She is half Bangladeshi and half European American.[15]
- Felicia Barton, 26 (born March 6, 1982) from Virginia Beach, Virginia – a stay-at-home mom who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky, singing "Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae. She made it to the Top 54 and was eliminated, but was brought back to replace Joanna Pacitti, who was disqualified.
- "No One" (Alicia Keys)
- Kendall Beard, 24 (born October 18, 1984) from Austin, Texas – a college student who auditioned in San Juan, Puerto Rico, singing "The Ashes" by Martina McBride. She is dyslexic and had previously wanted to audition for the show but decided to wait until she finished college.
- Ju'Not Joyner, 26 (born November 6, 1982) from Bowie, Maryland – a businessman who auditioned in New York. He previously auditioned in Philadelphia for Season 7 and made it to Hollywood Week, but he was cut in the second round.
- Nathaniel Marshall, 19 (born September 19, 1989) from Malone, New York – a college student who auditioned in New York. He grew up with various family members in New York because his mother was in jail for most of his life.
- Kristen McNamara, 23 (born August 5, 1985) from Napa Valley, California – a karaoke host who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. She was a sixth place finalist on the fourth season of Nashville Star, and also previously competed on Star Search.
- Taylor Vaifanua, 17 (born January 12, 1992) from Hurricane, Utah – a high school student who auditioned in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her family is from Samoa.
- Alex Wagner-Trugman, 19 (born June 4, 1989) from Studio City, California – a sophomore at the University of Miami who auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona. At his audition, he mentioned he had previously sung in his closet so he wouldn't disturb his family, but was forced to stop because of an infection caused by the mold inside. His semifinal performance became known when he knocked over the microphone stand and made a growl while singing.
Wild Card
- Ricky Braddy, 26 (born February 1, 1983) from Nashville, Tennessee – a fast food employee who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky.
- Tatiana Nicole Del Toro, 24 (born October 17, 1984) from San Juan, Puerto Rico – a self-proclaimed "singer/model/actress" who auditioned in San Francisco, California. During the February 17 episode, Paula Abdul called her "the most talked about contestant" on the show so far and Simon Cowell called her a "drama queen."[16]
- "Saving All My Love for You" (Whitney Houston)
- "Saving All My Love for You" (Whitney Houston)
- Jesse Langseth, 25 (born April 13, 1983) from Minneapolis, Minnesota – a secretary who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. She is the sister of blues singer Jonny Lang.
- Von Smith, 22 (born June 15, 1986) from Kansas City, Missouri – a singer who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. He gained some success via his YouTube videos that garnered him national attention, leading to an appearance on The View in 2007. Soon thereafter he was offered, and eventually signed, a recording contract with Kon Live Distribution.
- "You're All I Need to Get By" (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell)
- "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" (Elton John)
Finalists
- Kris Allen, 23 (born June 21, 1985) from Conway, Arkansas – a college student who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. He's best known for his group performance of "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 during Hollywood week with a group called White Chocolate. He was married about five months before competing in the top-13.
- "Man in the Mirror" (Michael Jackson)
- "Remember the Time" (Michael Jackson)
- Anoop Desai, 22 (born December 20, 1986) from Chapel Hill, North Carolina – a college student who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. He impressed the judges when he auditioned in Kansas City.[17] While at school he was one of the lead singers of the UNC Clef Hangers, an a cappella vocal group that covered multiple genres of music. Desai was announced as the 13th finalist after the judges increased the finals into a Top 13. He is of Indian descent and is an only child.
- "Angel of Mine" (Monica)
- "My Prerogative" (Bobby Brown)
- "Beat It" (Michael Jackson)
- Matt Giraud, 23 (born May 11, 1985) from Kalamazoo, Michigan – a dueling pianist who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. For his audition, he sang "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin Degraw. His rendition of "Georgia on My Mind" in Hollywood made him a judge favorite.
- Danny Gokey, 28 (born April 24, 1980) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin – a praise and worship music director who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri along with best friend Jamar Rogers. Both made it to the Hollywood rounds, but Rogers was eliminated at week's end. Four weeks before the audition, Gokey's wife, Sophia, diagnosed with a congenital heart disease, passed away. His wife had motivated him to try out before she died. He is a judge favorite.
- Alexis Grace, 21 (born June 9, 1987), from Memphis, Tennessee – a stay-at-home mom who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky with the song Doctor Feelgood by Mötley Crüe. Has a young daughter and is engaged to marry the child's father. After her Top 36 performance, Cowell compared her to Kelly Clarkson.
- Allison Iraheta, 16 (born April 27, 1992) from Los Angeles, California – a high school student who auditioned in San Francisco, California. In 2006, she won $50,000 and a recording contract after competing in a Telemundo reality show, Quinceañera. Both Cowell and Jackson have declared Iraheta is "one to watch in this competition".
- "Alone" (Heart)
- "Give In to Me" (Michael Jackson)
- Megan Joy, 23 (born August 5, 1985) from Sandy, Utah – a font designer/single mom who auditioned in Salt Lake City, Utah with the song "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man." Cowell has expressed numerous times that she is one of his favorites. After the Wildcard episode, she dropped her last name Corkrey because it belonged to her ex-husband.[18]
- "Put Your Records On" (Corinne Bailey Rae)
- "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" (KT Tunstall)
- "Rockin' Robin" (Michael Jackson)
- Adam Lambert, 27 (born January 29, 1982) from San Francisco, California – a stage actor who auditioned in San Francisco, California. Before auditioning for American Idol, he was in the touring and Los Angeles casts of Wicked. His renditions of "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Believe" made him a judge favorite.
- Scott MacIntyre, 23 (born June 22, 1985) from Scottsdale, Arizona – a visually impaired pianist who auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona. MacIntyre plays several instruments including the piano. Classically trained, he has been internationally profiled on various TV affiliates such as CNN, national and local news, radio, and print media as pianist, vocalist, and songwriter. His sister was also born blind.
- Lil Rounds, 24 (born November 14, 1984) from Memphis, Tennessee – a stay-at-home mom who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. Her house in Memphis was previously destroyed by a tornado on February 5, 2008. She is married with three children. Since her audition, Rounds has been a judge favorite.
- Michael Sarver, 28 (born February 9, 1981), from Jasper, Texas – an oil rig roughneck worker who auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona. Is married, and has two children.
- Jorge Nuñez, 20 (born May 12, 1988) from Cidra, Puerto Rico – a college student who auditioned in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is fluent in English, French, and Spanish. He is the first Puerto Rican to reach the finals. His influences include Luis Fonsi and Marc Anthony. Although the show states he is from the city of Carolina, he only boarded there. He was one of the first two to leave the Top 13, as he was voted off on March 11, 2009.
- "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (Elton John)
- "Never Can Say Goodbye" (The Jackson 5) - Eliminated March 11, 2009
- Jasmine Murray, 16 (born March 14, 1992) from Starkville, Mississippi – a high school student who auditioned in Jacksonville, Florida with the song "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie. She was Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen 2007. She was eliminated on March 11, 2009 in a double elimination at the Top 13 stage.
- "Love Song" (Sara Bareilles)
- "Reflection" (Christina Aguilera)
- "I'll Be There" (The Jackson 5) - Eliminated March 11, 2009
Weekly song themes
- Top 36 (February 18, February 26th, March 4th): Billboard Hot 100 hits
- Week 1 (March 10th): Michael Jackson
- Week 2 (March 17th) Grand Ole Opry
Results night performances
For the finals, season 4 winner Carrie Underwood remade Mötley Crüe's "Home Sweet Home" as the exit song.
Group song
- Top 36/Group 1: "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz
- Top 36/Group 2: "Closer" by Ne-Yo
- Top 36/Group 3: "Hot N Cold" by Katy Perry
- Top 13: "I Want You Back/ABC Medley" by The Jackson 5
Other performances
In addition, songs are played during the elimination night to promote an artist, single, album, or the show itself. Included is a list of those songs with their Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Digital Songs reactions.
Week | Performer(s) | Title | Hot 100 Reaction |
Hot Digital Songs Reaction |
Notes |
Top 36/Group 1 | Carly Smithson Michael Johns |
"The Letter" | Was Never Released | Ineligible to chart (No legal digital release) |
live performance |
Top 36/Group 2 | Brooke White | "Hold Up My Heart" | 47 (debut) | 27 (+999%) | live performance |
Top 36/Group 3 | No performer | ||||
Top 13 | Kelly Clarkson | "My Life Would Suck Without You"[19] | N/A | N/A | live performance |
Kanye West | "Heartless"[19] | N/A | N/A | pre-recorded[20] | |
Top 11 | Carrie Underwood Randy Travis |
"I Told You So"[21] | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Brad Paisley | "Then"[21] | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Top 10 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Top 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Top 8 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Top 7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Top 6 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Top 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Top 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Top 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Top 2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
- Idol alumni Jason Castro was scheduled to perform his single "Love Uncompromised" during the results show of the Group 3 week, but ended up cancelling.
Elimination chart
Did Not Perform | Female | Male | Top 36 | Wild Card | Top 13 | Winner |
Safe | Bottom Three | Eliminated | Saved by judges |
Stage: | Semi-Finals | Wild Card |
Finals | ||||||||||||||
Week: | 2/18 | 2/26* | 3/4 | 3/5 | 3/11 | 3/18 | 3/25 | 4/1 | 4/8 | 4/15 | 4/22 | 4/29 | 5/6 | 5/13 | 5/20 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Place | Contestant | Result | |||||||||||||||
Kris Allen | Top 13 | ||||||||||||||||
Anoop Desai | WC | Top 13 | |||||||||||||||
Matt Giraud | WC | Top 13 | |||||||||||||||
Danny Gokey | Top 13 | ||||||||||||||||
Alexis Grace | Top 13 | ||||||||||||||||
Allison Iraheta | Top 13 | ||||||||||||||||
Megan Joy | WC | Top 13 | |||||||||||||||
Adam Lambert | Top 13 | ||||||||||||||||
Scott MacIntyre | Top 13 | ||||||||||||||||
Lil Rounds | Top 13 | ||||||||||||||||
Michael Sarver | Top 13 | ||||||||||||||||
12-13 | Jorge Nuñez | Top 13 | Elim | ||||||||||||||
Jasmine Murray | WC | Top 13 | |||||||||||||||
Wild Card |
Ricky Braddy | WC | Elim | ||||||||||||||
Tatiana Del Toro | WC | ||||||||||||||||
Jesse Langseth | WC | ||||||||||||||||
Von Smith | WC | ||||||||||||||||
Semi- Final 3 |
Arianna Afsar | Elim | |||||||||||||||
Felicia Barton | |||||||||||||||||
Kendall Beard | |||||||||||||||||
Ju'Not Joyner | |||||||||||||||||
Nathaniel Marshall | |||||||||||||||||
Kristen McNamara | |||||||||||||||||
Taylor Vaifanua | |||||||||||||||||
Alex Wagner-Trugman | |||||||||||||||||
Semi- Final 2 |
Matt Breitzke | Elim | |||||||||||||||
Mishavonna Henson | |||||||||||||||||
Kai Kalama | |||||||||||||||||
Nick Mitchell | |||||||||||||||||
Jeanine Vailes | |||||||||||||||||
Semi- Final 1 |
Anne Marie Boskovich | Elim | |||||||||||||||
Casey Carlson | |||||||||||||||||
Stephen Fowler | |||||||||||||||||
Brent Keith | |||||||||||||||||
Jackie Tohn | |||||||||||||||||
Stevie Wright |
*Due to the 2009 Speech to the Joint Session of the United States Congress on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, the performance show was moved to Wednesday, February 25 and the results show was moved to Thursday, February 26.
Controversies
- Joanna Pacitti, who was originally selected as a semi-finalist, created controversy due to her being previously signed to A&M and Geffen Records. Later, she was found to have been having a "private relationship" with 19 Management. She was later disqualified, and replaced by Felicia Barton.[22]
Releases
iTunes
Same as the previous season, American Idol exclusively partnered with iTunes. To keep the competition fair, and prevent any revealing of the number of songs bought during voting, they are not available until the result show (Wednesdays). The iTunes exclusives includes:
- Top 36 live performances videos and audios
- Top 13 live performances videos and audios, as well as studio recordings
Songs from guest performers, such as Brooke White, are also available on the American Idol portion of iTunes.
References
- ^ Songwriter Kara DioGuardi joins 'American Idol' panel
- ^ OK! Magazine - First for Celebrity News - Less is More for Next Season of American Idol
- ^ ‘Idol's’ emotional focus will highlight Abdul
- ^ Associated Press
- ^ Lythgoe Leaving 'American Idol'
- ^ American Idol Shelves "Give Back" Show for 2009 Season
- ^ Fox releases 'American Idol' schedule, confirms format changes
- ^ MTV How WIll The Wild-Card Round Work On 'American Idol'
- ^ Who Will Be The Next Singing Superstar? - American Idol News
- ^ Release says San Francisco; arena is actually in Daly City, though part of its property is in San Francisco.
- ^ http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/01/22/american-idol-finds-a-major-label-burnout-kentucky-derby-hats-at-louisville-auditions/ The filmed session before the judges was actually at Churchill Downs.
- ^ Release says Phoenix; arena is actually in Glendale.
- ^ http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/pid/1564 Top 36 Revealed!
- ^ Where You've Seen 11 Idol Contestants Before EW.com, February 16, 2009
- ^ http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050415/news_m1m15tfrpen.html
- ^ Paula Abdul (2009-02-17). "Hollywood Week 2 Wednesday". American Idol. Season 8. Fox Broadcasting Company.
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- ^ a b http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1606433/20090306/story.jhtml
- ^ Borzillo-Vrenna, Carrie (March 11, 2009). "American Idol: What You Didn't See". E!. Retrieved March 12, 2009.
- ^ a b Brad Paisley, Randy Travis, Carrie Underwood to Sing on American Idol at Country Music Televsion
- ^ Joanna Pacitti DISQUALIFIED From "American Idol"