Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Is American Idol about to do away with the semifinal round?

That’s what USA Today is reporting, courtesy of executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. Here’s a link to the story.

If it’s true, it will mark a major change to the Idol format we’ve been familiar with for the past nine seasons.

Not that Idol has been very consistent with its handling of the semifinals.

Two years ago, they decided to expand the semifinals to 32 contestants, giving each about 2 minutes to sing for their Idol fate. Then the judges hand-picked four contestants in a wild card round.

Last year, the wild card was eliminated, and the male and female semifinalists performed each week until the field was narrowed to 12.

The biggest impact of this change: The judges, not viewers, would apparently pick the field for the American Idol finals.

Well, it’s not as though viewers don’t deserve the boot.

I mean, last year, voters at home passed on Katelyn Epperly, Lilly Scott and Janell Wheeler in favor of Paige Miles and Lacey Brown.

Nigel is scheduled to do a conference call later this afternoon.

So check back, and I’ll bring you more on this latest Idol change if USA Today has it correct.