Amongst all the hoopla around the announcement that Ellen Degeneres signed a 5 year deal to be American Idol’s new 4th judge, is an interesting little soundbite from Idol producer, Cecil Frot-Coutaz. From a recent NY Times article on the addition of Ellen:
An array of guest judges will fill the spot vacated by Ms. Abdul for the audition episodes that take up the first few weeks of the season, which begins in January. But it is possible that Ms. DeGeneres will be on hand for ‘Hollywood Week, ‘ where the top 200 or so performers come to Los Angeles to compete for a spot among the final 36.
In past years that week has taken place in November, but this year it has been moved to January, Ms. Frot-Coutaz said, and Ms. DeGeneres ‘should be there’ if logistical arrangements allow.
I’m sure moving Hollywood Week to January from November has more to do with squelching spoilers, which typically leak shortly after Hollywood Week completes, rather than accommodating Ms. Degeneres’ busy schedule.
If Hollywood takes place in January, I wonder if it will be completed before the audition episodes begin airing–so that TPTB have time to edit the episodes for maximum pimpage. Heh.
Damn you, Idol, for ruining our spoiler fun! Now, just tell us you’re going back to the Top 24 format this year, and I may forgive you…