Welp. The spoilers claiming the middle round of Idol would be split by age? Not true. Also, There will be a Top 13 rather than a Top 12. And you can scratch that Candice special too.
Here’s the official schedule from American Idol. The middle rounds will take ONE 3 episode week. The Top 31 will be split boy/girl with the Top 13 results airing on Thursday. The “twist” is probably a Top 31 instead of a Top 30. ETA: The judges will each pick a wildcard bringing the finalists number to 13.
*Just wanted to mention that the spoilers were emailed to me as a full fledged Press Release, done in exactly the style and language that FOX sends out. It was very convincing. VERY convincing. The spoiler told me the release was set to come out this week. I tacked the VERY official looking press release that was mailed to me onto the original spoiler post HERE.
UPDATE: Also, there’s the matter of that New York City spoiler possibly being true. (The Hollywood Reporter reported it AFTER we did HERE) I don’t know what to think. I’m hearing that the New York finale is defintely NOT happening.
“AMERICAN IDOL XIII” DEBUTS WITH A TWO-NIGHT PREMIERE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, AND THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, ON FOX
New Surprise Round Sends Contestants to “Hollywood or Home” Wednesday, February 5; Hollywood Rounds Continue Thursday, February 6 and Wednesday, February 12
Top Semi-Finalists Revealed Thursday, February 13
Special Three-Night IDOL “Rush Week” Begins Tuesday, February 18, And Continues Wednesday, February 19 and Thursday, February 20, When the Top 13 Finalists are Announced
Top 13 Perform LIVE Wednesday, February 26
The original music show phenomenon returns this week! Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, AMERICAN IDOL XIII features a new all-star judging panel, including Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., along with in-house mentor Randy Jackson. Seacrest and the judges travel across the country, with stops in Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Omaha, NE, Salt Lake City, UT; and San Francisco, CA, searching for those who have the potential to transform from an everyday singer into a successful recording artist and join the ranks of famous IDOL alumni, such as Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Scotty McCreery and Phillip Phillips.
AUDITIONS
The two-night premiere event begins by showcasing the nation’s best talent from the Boston and Austin auditions on Wednesday, Jan. 15 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Thursday, Jan. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) brings more amazing auditions from Austin and San Francisco. Auditions continue in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT); Atlanta, Thursday, Jan. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); Salt Lake City, Wednesday, Jan. 29 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT); and Omaha, Thursday, Jan. 30 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).
NEW HOLLYWOOD OR HOME ROUND
Those who prove they have what it takes to move forward in the competition think they are headed to the “Hollywood” round. But, even before they unpack their bags, the contestants will learn they must compete in a surprise “Hollywood or Home” round, airing on Wednesday, Feb. 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). In this intense new round, the judges will decide if these hopefuls really are committed and talented enough to become the next singing superstar. Some of the singers will be asked to perform one more time for the judges – and for some, this will be their last performance. It’s a tough decision for the judges, but even tougher for the contestants, because those who don’t make the cut must head straight home.
HOLLYWOOD ROUNDS Continue
The “Hollywood” rounds continue Thursday, Feb. 6 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Feb. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), as the hopefuls take the stage of the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for group and solo performances. On Thursday, Feb. 13 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), the Hollywood rounds end with a new twist as the Top semi-finalists are revealed.
RUSH WEEK
During a special three-night IDOL event, the hopefuls will have their last chance to impress the judges and America. On the season’s first LIVE show, airing on a special night, Tuesday, Feb. 18 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed), the 15 remaining female contestants will face their IDOL fates; the 15 male contestants will do the same on the following night Wednesday, Feb. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed). On both Tuesday and Wednesday night, the voting lines will open immediately after each LIVE show. On Thursday, Feb. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), the Top 13 finalists will be revealed in the first results show LIVE from Los Angeles.
FINALIST PERFORMANCE ROUNDS
The following week, the competition gets fiercer when the Top 13 finalists perform LIVE Wednesday, Feb. 26 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed). One finalist’s journey will end as America’s vote is revealed Thursday, Feb. 27 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed).
RECAP
AUDITIONS
Wednesday, Jan. 15 Season Premiere, Part 1 – Boston/Austin Auditions
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
Thursday, Jan. 16 Season Premiere, Part 2 – Austin/San Francisco Auditions
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
Wednesday, Jan. 22 Detroit Audition Episode
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
Thursday, Jan. 23 Atlanta Audition Episode
(8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT)
Wednesday, Jan. 29 Salt Lake City Audition Episode
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
Thursday, Jan. 30 Omaha Audition Episode
(8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT)
HOLLYWOOD ROUNDS
Wednesday, Feb. 5 “Hollywood or Home” Round
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
Thursday, Feb. 6 Hollywood Round, Part 1
(8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT)
Wednesday, Feb. 12 Hollywood Round, Part 2
(8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)
Thursday, Feb. 13 Hollywood Round, Part 3; Top Semi-Finalists Revealed
(8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT)
RUSH WEEK
Tuesday, Feb. 18 Top 15 Female Singers Perform LIVE
(8:00-10:00 PM ET live/
PT tape-delayed)
Wednesday, Feb. 19 Top 15 Male Singers Perform LIVE
(8:00-10:00 PM ET live/
PT tape-delayed)
Thursday, Feb. 20 First LIVE Results Show
(8:00-9:00 PM ET live/
PT tape-delayed)
FINALIST ROUNDS
Wednesday, Feb. 26 Top 13 Perform LIVE
(8:00-10:00 PM ET live/
PT tape-delayed)
Thursday, Feb. 27 LIVE Results Show; One Finalist Sent Home
(8:00-9:00 PM ET live/
PT tape-delayed)
