generate questions: Season eight premiered on January 13, 2009. Mike Darnell, the president of alternative programming for Fox, stated that the season would focus more on the contestants' personal life. Much early attention on the show was therefore focused on the widowhood of Danny Gokey.[citation needed]
What year did the eighth season of American Idol first air? {sep_token} Which contestant from season eight suffered the loss of a spouse? {sep_token} What was Mike Darnells position at Fox in 2009? {sep_token} What month did American Idol begin airing its eighth season? {sep_token} When did season eight premiere? {sep_token} Who was the president of alternative programming at Fox? {sep_token} Which contestant received a lot of attention because of his widowhood? {sep_token}