FOX confirmed in an announcement Monday that commercials for Tuesday’s two-hour “American Idol” episode were not misleading.
“For the first time ever, ‘American Idol’ reveals some of this season’s top 24 Tuesday, February 16, on FOX,” reads the press release, cementing the fact that some semifinalists will be announced on Tuesday’s show.
Because the fan voting component of the show does not begin until next week, the semifinalist announcements would historically have been limited to the episode this Wednesday night. In past seasons, that Wednesday night airing has effectively served as the “finale” for the audition and Hollywood rounds, bridging the gap between the pre-taped and live portions of the competition.
Recently, that Wednesday airing has revolved around the infamous “Chair”–either individually or in groups of two, the contestants ride an elevator up to a private room and sit before the judges as they learn whether or not they will advance to the semifinals.
The addition of semifinalist announcements gives the Tuesday episode an additional drawing card, something it will absolutely need as it goes head-to-head with the Winter Olympics on NBC. Some have also speculated that the decision was in response to a rumored Top 24 leaking to the Internet, but it should be noted that such premature leaks have occurred in each of the past several seasons.
With a portion of the semifinalists being announced Tuesday and the rest being announced Wednesday, it is unclear if the show’s semifinal announcements will adhere to the same format this season.
