Let's talk about the "Wild Card"!

[Sweet Melissa]

I'm excited about this new development! Does anyone know the details of how it will work?

I think Danny is the obvious favorite but what if someone comes back and finally blows their socks off? Do you think that person would have a chance even though they couldn't produce consistently early on? Namely Kady..........

[dc-snoopy]

Ummm...there is no wild card this year. There have been several threads of *IF* there were a wild card, who would you want to get it, but it's been confirmed (by Danny Noriega, no less) that there is no wild card this season.

[Sweet Melissa]

5 Contestants to vie for Wild Card Spot on Tour! (http://www.rickey.org/?p=7419)

I thought it was discussion worthy.............

[Kimber]

I read about this too. I'd like to see Alaina get to go on tour. Too bad they couldn't pick Josiah Leming to go since they realized it was a mistake not to have him on the show.

I can't remember how this wild card works though. Does America get to vote?

[jtowngal]

Having a wildcard this season would be mad! The whole purpose of a "tour" (aside from paying Uncle Clive's latest mortgage) is to promote the contestants so their upcoming albums will sell better.

Since none of the eliminated semi's ever seem to reach major success (or even recording contracts) - it's a bit of a waste of time. Unless they decide to put Kristy Lee Cook's spot up for grabs - she's never going to see the inside of a recording studio.

[Sweet Melissa]

Wasn't Clay Aiken a Wild Card? He has been wildly successful.

[jtowngal]

Wasn't Clay Aiken a Wild Card? He has been wildly successful.

He was. But the 2nd season of Idol used a very different format. There were 36 semi finalists - divided into 4 groups. Each group advanced 2 contestants to the finals. Then a wildcard round was held to fill up the remaining spaces. The wildcard rounds didn't replace someone already voted in - with someone who hadn't made the cut. It filled existing empty spaces.

With the current format - a wildcard round would displace a contestant who has already earned their place in the finals - with a contestant who was already voted off.

...somehow that just seems very unfair. Don't know how American Idol could justify discounting several million votes - even for a little extra airtime.

[Kimber]

My understanding is that it's not a wildcard for people to be on the actual show, but for people to get to go on tour. I have no idea if it's really true, but I did read something about it at a few different sites.

[Sweet Melissa]

He was. But the 2nd season of Idol used a very different format. There were 36 semi finalists - divided into 4 groups. Each group advanced 2 contestants to the finals. Then a wildcard round was held to fill up the remaining spaces. The wildcard rounds didn't replace someone already voted in - with someone who hadn't made the cut. It filled existing empty spaces.

With the current format - a wildcard round would displace a contestant who has already earned their place in the finals - with a contestant who was already voted off.

...somehow that just seems very unfair. Don't know how American Idol could justify discounting several million votes - even for a little extra airtime.

Gottcha! I started watching that season AFTER Clay came back so all I knew was that he had been a Wild Card. Thanks for explaining Jtowngal.

With the current format - a wildcard round would displace a contestant who has already earned their place in the finals - with a contestant who was already voted off.

I think it would add an element of excitement to have someone come back and get another chance to "prove" themselves to America. I was under the impression that the "wildcard" would just be added to the tour, not replace one of the current top ten and also have a chance to continue on in regular weekly voting not necessarily eliminate a current top ten automaticly but have to earn the votes like the rest as the weeks go on.:confused: Am I making sense?:o

[dc-snoopy]

In the current AI format, the top-12 all contribute one studio recording to the AI season album/CD. The top-10 go on the annual tour for about the first 4 months after the AI final.

This year, they are thinking of having a wild card race for one additional performer to join the top-10 on that tour, not replace one. Five semi-finalists will vie for that wild card spot. David H and Amanda O will be automatically included in the wild card race and
then three others will be selected from the 12 eliminated semifinalists.

Although nothing official has come out, here is an unofficial report from a regular Idol
blogger:

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/34697/idol-update-wild-policy-to-be-reinstated

[lotus]

Well, if there is a wild card, my vote would go for Danny. I find him quite entertaining!