Joanna Pacitti disqualified: American Idol disqualifies Joanna Pacitti

Hours after the 2009 America Idol season 8 top 36 were announced, Joanna Pacitti was disqualified from the competition. FOX made the announcement but gave no specific reason for the disqualification of one of this year's favorites for the title. Joanna Pacitti's name always comes up in articles predicting this year's winner and the disqualification will be disappointing to her followers. One the other hand, many viewers of American Idol 8 will call it justice. The show has reportedly received a lot of complaints ever since Pacitti received a golden ticket in the auditions for they question her eligibility in the competition. Joanna Pacitti has enjoyed a long musical career ever since landing the title role

of Annie in the musical's off-Broadway revival when she was 12. Though she never made to to Broadway, she has reportedly made close a hundred performances as the precocious tyke. She has also landed a recording contract with A&M Records and her vocal has appeared in several soundtracks to big screen movies. Thus, her amateur status for American Idol has continually been questioned.

We can only speculate that this is the reason behind her disqualification as FOX didn't give out any. "It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition." Wikipedia has also confirmed Joanna Pacitti's American Idol 8 disqualification with the following entry on the hopeful:

Pacitti auditioned for season 8 of American Idol in Louisville, Kentucky, in an episode which aired on 21 January 2009. She passed the audition into the Hollywood round. Pacitti's past accomplishment have stirred debate about whether American Idol contestants should be strictly amateur performers. Even though the program showed her getting into the top 36, she was eventually disqualified for unknown reasons.

Earlier in the season, new American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi defended Joanna pacitti's inclusion in the contest with this statement, "I do think it's fair because she's facing the same challenges and in some ways more challenges than some of the other contestants." However, producers must have realized that having had that experience is a distinct advantage for Pacitti and decided to kick her out. With the 2009 American Idol 8 top 36 list now missing one aspirant, will the judges fill that void? Or will they go on with the competition with just a top 35? Let's wait and see.

American Idol 8 Hollywood week results: Bikini Girl kicked out

American Idol season 8's 'Bikini Girl' sensation is out! Katrina Darrell, who caused a sensation during her audition on American Idol 8 by wearing a skimpy bikini, has been cut off from the hit reality competition television show. She was one of the 147 hopefuls who made it to Hollywood week for the next phase of the grueling auditions. That number was trimmed down to 104 yesterday and was further cut to 75 earlier today. The first Hollywood Week competition of American Idol season 8 cut 43 contestants while the second one chopped 29.

Katrina Darrell caused quite a stir not only because of her 'costume' to the auditions but also

because she divided the judges. While Simon and Randy gave her passing marks (probably because of the attire), the lady judges flunked her. Bikini Girl also challenged new Idol judge Kara DioGuardi when she said that Kara's rendition of her audition song wasn't good enough. This infuriated Paula Abdul who stood up and warned Katrina Darrel that she shouldn't have said that. Still, the American Idol 8 Bikini Girl made it through Hollywood week. That was as far as she went, apparently.

The second night of American Idol season 8 Hollywood week still focused on group performances which not only tested the aspirants' singing skills but also how well they worked with others. Along with Bikini Girl, others who were eliminated were the son of one of the Osmond brothers, David Osmond, and Rose Flack, the dread-locked singer who was in the same singing group with Katrina.

Others losing the chance to be the American Idol season 8 winner are Nancy Wilson, Austin Sisneros, Deanna Brown, and Emily Wynn-Hughes, who vowed to leave her band if she makes it through. Meanwhile, among those staying in the competition and still have the chance to follow the footsteps of David Cook are Alex Krugman and Ann Marie, teammates oil rig worker Jeremy Michael Sarver and Adam Lambert, Matt Giraud and Kris Allen. The remaining aspirants will further be trimmed next week afterwhich the top 36 semi-finalists will be revealed.

A list of the American Idol season 8 top 36 has already been leaked online as early as last week and by, the looks of it, the list seems to be correct as of this last elimination (as far as I can tell). See the leaked American Idol top 36 list here.

This season will feature for the first time 36 semifinalists with 12 different semifinalists performing every Tuesday. The male, female, and the next top vote getter with the highest number of America's votes will make it into the top 12. This season will also feature the return of the Wildcard round last used in Season 3 with the judges choosing three eliminated contestants to advance to the finals.

American Idol 8 top 36 leaked: American Idol season 8 top 36

The names of the top 36 American Idol 8 / American Idol season 8 contestants have allegedly been leaked online! Yup, an anonymous blogger who goes by the pseudonym of "Joe" (how unique!) with online residence at Joes Place Blog is claiming that the following list of 36 American Idol hopefuls made it through Hollywood week and are, in fact, the American Idol 8 Top 36.

For the first time in its history, American Idol 8 will feature 36 semifinalists compared to the usual 24 from Hollywood week. As a result, 12 different semifinalists will be performing every Tuesday with the male, female, and the next top vote getter with the

highest number of votes making it into the top 12. From there, the weekly elimination will ensue based on America's votes until the winner is revealed in May. This season will also feature the return of the "wildcard" round last used in American Idol Season 3 with the judges choosing three eliminated contestants to advance to the finals.

There are reports that "Joe" is the same guy who successfully revealed the top semifinalists last year. If it's true then this year's American Idol top 36 leak is credible. I remember the leakage from last year but I cannot recall who made it, or if there was someone identified as its source. Anyway, here are the names of the American Idol 8 Top 36 according to Joes Place Blog (You can read more about it from there):

Adam Lambert
Alexander Wagner-Trugman
Alexis Grace
Allison Iraheta
Ann Marie Boskovich
Anoop Desai
Arianna Ayesha Afsar
Brent Keith
Casey Carlson
Danny Gokey
Jackie Tohn
Jasmine Murray
Jeanine Vailes
Jessica Langseth -Brother is Grammy winner Johnny Lang
Joanna Pacitti
Jorge Nunez
Junot Joyner
Kai Kalama
Kendall Beard
Kristen McNamara
Kris Allen
Lil Rounds
Matt Breitzke
Matt Giraud
Megan Corkrey
Michael *unsure of last name - Sarver, Tristan
Mishavonna Henson
Nate McGee (listed as Nathaniel Marshall on the AI site)
Nick Western (possibly could be Nick Hendrix from Orlando?)
Ricky Braddy
Scott MacIntyre
Stephen Fowler
Stevie Wright
Taylor Vaifanua
Tatiana Del Toro
Von Smith

American Idol 8 premiere: 2009 American Idol season 8 premiere

The wait is over! The 2009 American Idol 8 premiere / American Idol season 8 episode 1 is here to usher in another fantastic season of music, drama, intrigue and everything else that comes with this hit reality competition show. Simon, Paula and Randy, together with the new judge Kara DioGuardi, will once again start the season with auditions from all over America. We will see talent and crazy antics, laughter and drama, all in the way to choosing the next American Idol. Who will it be? The 2009 American Idol 8 premiere will be composed of a two-night episode that will pave the way and set the tone for American Idol season 8. David Cook, American Idol 7 champ, will hopefully be there to

recap the year that was, how his life changed since winning the crown last May. And I'm sure we will see the other American Idol 7 contestants as well.

Tune in to American Idol season 8 episode 1 / American Idol 8.01 (s08e01) as we welcome the hopefuls this season because one of them will be the next big star.

For all of you American Idol 8 fanatics out there, the full video stream of the 2009 American Idol 8 premiere / American Idol season 8 episode 1 will be available on this site very soon for those who prefer to watch it online. And I'm sure many of you will want to watch it again even after you have seen it on TV. Please check back for it regularly as the copy will be posted here very soon. In the meantime, here is a short entry on what to expect this season and a teaser of American Idol 8 / American Idol season 8.

The 'Wild Card' that was practiced in the early seasons of the show will effectively apply on March 5. The judges will choose among the eliminated contestants and choose three to bring back to the competition for a second chance. Also, the Hollywood round will accommodate as many as 36 contestants instead of the usual 24 to give more chance for the people to show what they got. And starting February 17, America will help decide who should be in the Top 12. One male, one female and the next top vote getter from the three split groups consisting of 12 people each, will earn the ticket to the final.

The ongoing recession has also forced "Idol Gives Back", a charity program conducted regularly by American Idol, to be canceled this season. The reason is clear, the producers feel that asking people to donate money for a good cause during a recession is simple not advisable. According to producers, they may include that portion in the future but it won't be on a regular basis.

American Idol season 8 Schedule

Tuesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 1
Wednesday, Jan. 14 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 2
Tuesday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Wednesday, Jan. 21 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Tuesday, Jan. 27 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Wednesday, Jan. 28 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Thursday, Jan. 29 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Wednesday, Feb. 4 (8:00-9:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 2
Tuesday, Feb. 10 (8:00-9:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 3
Wednesday, Feb. 11 (8:00-10:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 4
Top 36 Semifinalists Announced
Tuesday, Feb. 17 (8:00-10:00 PM) 12 Semifinalists Perform
Wednesday, Feb. 18 (8:00-9:00 PM)
First LIVE Results Show Finalists Advance
Tuesday, Feb. 24 (8:00-10:00 PM) 12 Semifinalists Perform
Wednesday, Feb. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM)
LIVE Results Show Finalists Advance
Tuesday, March 3 (8:00-10:00 PM) 12 Semifinalists Perform
Wednesday, March 4 (8:00-9:00 PM)
LIVE Results Show Finalists Advance
Thursday, March 5 (8:00-9:00 PM) Wild Card Round
Top 12 Finalists Revealed
Tuesday, March 10 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 12 Finalists Perform

2009 American Idol 8 premiere / American Idol season 8 episode 1
2009 American Idol season 8 8.01

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American Idol 8: American Idol season 8 schedule and preview

Change, that's the theme of American Idol Season 8 (American Idol 8) this year following the example of Barack Obama. Not only have they added a fourth judge in the person of Kara DioGuardi earlier this year but they've also made some changes to the way Idol will be presented on television.

Speaking of the additional judge, everybody was surprised when the fourth judge was announced earlier this year. Many thought Kara DioGuardi would be a replacement for Paula Abdul after her are-you-with-us-Paula episodes last year. However, the producers vehemently denied this speculation
and added that the fourth judge was all in the plan. In fact, they said American Idol was really conceptualized with four judges. But how will they break a tie with four judges? Hmm. On the other hand, with her background in music, I hope Kara DioGuardi with bring some sense into judging commentary because I've been sick of hearing Paula's shallow comments and Randy's "yo dawg" spiels!

Another big change this year is the return of the 'Wild Card'. The 'Wild Card' that was practiced in the early seasons of the show will effectively apply on March 5. The judges will choose among the eliminated contestants and choose three to bring back to the competition for a second chance. Also, the Hollywood round will accommodate as many as 36 contestants instead of the usual 24 to give more chance for the people to show what they got. And starting February 17, America will help decide who should be in the Top 12. One male, one female and the next top vote getter from the three split groups consisting of 12 people each, will earn the ticket to the final.

The ongoing recession has also forced "Idol Gives Back", a charity program conducted regularly by American Idol, to be canceled this season. The reason is clear, the producers feel that asking people to donate money for a good cause during a recession is simple not advisable. According to producers, they may include that portion in the future but it won't be on a regular basis.

And here's another change that may be good news to some but bad news to others. Fewer audition episodes and more Hollywood-round episodes will be aired in order to give more exposure to the talented and inspirational rather than the weird and shocking. After all, most of these cooks know they've got no talent at all and are just there for TV exposure - and probably a shot at 15 minutes of fame a la William Hung. But don't be sad, they're not gonna scrap the wierdos altogether, just minimize their exposure (probably due to the Paula Goodspeed episode as well).

Whatever changes they make, I'm sure American Idol season 8 (American Idol 8) will still be a hit. Who will follow the footsteps of Davis Cook and David Archuleta? The world can't wait!

American Idol season 8 Schedule

Tuesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 1
Wednesday, Jan. 14 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 2
Tuesday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Wednesday, Jan. 21 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Tuesday, Jan. 27 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Wednesday, Jan. 28 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Thursday, Jan. 29 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Wednesday, Feb. 4 (8:00-9:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 2
Tuesday, Feb. 10 (8:00-9:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 3
Wednesday, Feb. 11 (8:00-10:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 4
Top 36 Semifinalists Announced
Tuesday, Feb. 17 (8:00-10:00 PM) 12 Semifinalists Perform
Wednesday, Feb. 18 (8:00-9:00 PM)
First LIVE Results Show Finalists Advance
Tuesday, Feb. 24 (8:00-10:00 PM) 12 Semifinalists Perform
Wednesday, Feb. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM)
LIVE Results Show Finalists Advance
Tuesday, March 3 (8:00-10:00 PM) 12 Semifinalists Perform
Wednesday, March 4 (8:00-9:00 PM)
LIVE Results Show Finalists Advance
Thursday, March 5 (8:00-9:00 PM) Wild Card Round
Top 12 Finalists Revealed
Tuesday, March 10 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 12 Finalists Perform

American Idol Season 8 Preview Video feat. David Cook