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2 | Cover story TV Media Weekly | January 12 - 18, 2013 Crowning a new 'Idol' Competition freshens itself up for landmark season By Andrew Warren TV Media urning 12 is a heck of a milestone. For a person, it marks just one more birthday to go until they leave childhood behind and take the big, scary step to become a teenager. For a TV show, it's an even bigger deal — few shows can even dream of making it to this ripe old age, and even fewer last for much longer as their momentum and originality fade along with their youth. "American Idol" is one of the success stories. Launching its 12th season with a special, twoepisode premiere on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 16 and 17, on Fox, it may be feeling a little bit of extra pressure to perform. It's not the only kid on the block anymore — younger singing competitions "The Voice" and "The X Factor" (which just wrapped up their third and second seasons, respectively) have each carved out their own television territory in a genre that T was once firmly dominated by "Idol." "Idol's" 11th season, which crowned Georgia's Phillip Phillips as its champion last May, saw the musical juggernaut slip out of its long-held position as the most popular show on prime time, slumping to the lowest ratings in the series' history — although it still stood strong in the No. 2 spot, and even set a new series record for the huge number of votes cast during its finale. But "Idol" hasn't been idle in the months since America chose Phillips as its idol.While the show's foundations remain in place, new coats of paint have been put up in a bid to refresh and revitalize this granddaddy of talent shows.Whether its slide was attributed to less-than-popular judges, a duo of scandalous controversies or just a tired pool of talent (or a combination of all three), a flurry of refreshing changes await any lapsed "Idol" fans who may find it tricky to avoid being drawn back into the fold. The most obvious of these fresh coats of paint are the new judges being brought into the "Idol" fold. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler have vacated their seats at the judges table, but series veteran Randy Jackson (the sole judge who's been around since the first season) will be part of a slightly Serving You For Over 50 Years Bill Neher Mark Adams Auto • Home • Business • Life For the finest service in Kokomo call Bill Neher or Mark Adams! 455-2700 3833 S. LaFountain • Kokomo, IN 46902 www.norrisinsurance.com "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson bigger family with not two, but three new judges moving in. Aussie country singer Keith Urban joins Jackson in what could be seen as a strategic move to counter "The Voice."That rival program has its own country star, popular coach Blake Shelton. Also joining Jackson at the judges table are superstar songstress Mariah Carey and rapper Nicki Minaj.Together, this foursome has been traveling across the country, witnessing auditions and providing helpful (and oftentimes biting) advice and criticism to young hopefuls. As in seasons past, auditions were held in major cities all across America. Countless young men and women turned out to throw themselves at the judges' mercy, all with the same dream of becoming an "American Idol." New this year is the "American Idol Small Town Audition Bus Tour," an event that hit up 10 smaller cities around the country to give aspiring pop stars who couldn't make it to one of the big cities a chance to realize their dreams. Another novel way of auditioning this year was something called "Nominate an Idol."This casting call encouraged family and friends to go online and upload a video of young talent — perhaps without the subject even knowing that he or she was auditioning for "American Idol."Those lucky enough to be chosen will be paid a surprise visit by a camera crew to give them a chance to advance to the next round of the competition. Despite the changes in store, "American Idol" will still feel like home.As in years past, once the judges have whittled down the seething seas of talent to the cream of the crop, the fates of the hopefuls are in the hands of the fans.Weekly votes by viewers decide who stays and who goes, and ultimately who gets to be named "American Idol." Ryan Seacrest, fresh off of his New Year's Eve hosting duties, returns once again to host the proceedings. New judges, new talent search- CHANNEL GUIDE

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