What is the deal with American Idol’s 2009 elimination rules? Now they are only letting the top female, top male and next highest vote getter advance to the next round. This seems a bit extreme. I mean why put so many people through the rounds if the show is going going to cut the all so quickly.

As opposed to the past two seasons, this year there will be no “Idol Gives Back” episode, but instead producers have brought back the fan favorite Wild Card Round, with the Top 12 finalists decided by March 10th. I understand the effort to try to change things up and keep the show current, but when American Idol loses talented singers in the process it sort of defeats the purpose.