The producer's of the Fox reality show "American Idol" say the show will undergo some major changes in the upcoming fourth season.

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For starters, "Idol" will air 10 episodes devoted to auditions -- six in the various audition cities and four in Hollywood, Daily Variety reported Monday. The show will be five weeks into the season before it goes to live performance/elimination shows. Far more auditions were held this year than in previous seasons: 100,000. Guest judges -- including LL Cool J, Gene Simmons, Brandy, Kenny Loggins and Mark McGrath -- will sit in on the early audition rounds.

The age limit for contestants has been increased to 28, to allow slightly older -- and possibly more desperate -- contestants to get a piece of the action.

Finally, in late February, "Idol" will temporarily go from two episodes a week to a three-episodes-per-week format to determine the talent show's final 12 contestants.

The fourth season of "American Idol" premieres with a two-hour special Jan. 18.

 

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