American idol: Hunting for talent

The judges are back!

The new look American Idol varies from its predecessors. For one, instead of 36 finalists. at the end of the Hollywood round, the judges will select 12 male and 12 female singers. Then in the semi-finals, one group will perform on Monday and the other on Tuesday, with voting on both nights. On Wednesday, two singers from each group will be eliminated until finalists--six males and six females--are chosen.

Another change is in the age ceiling for contestants, which has been raised by four years to 28. The reasoning as show host Ryan Seacrest puts it: older singers "have had a lot more highs and lows in their life."

American Idol's favourite judges, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, return to lend their professional expertise, personal comments and --sometimes-- criticism to this season's new crop of aspiring singers. Auditions are now over for the next American Idol season.

The popular TV show, a talent search contest, mimics the British show Pop Idol. Viewers vote each week to decide performers to advance to the next round. Judges assess each act before viewers vote two performers off the show, while two remain for a final competition to determine the winner.

For fans of American Idol, the new look show is certainly welcome.

Complied by Cultural Correspondent