From Latoya West,
Your Guide to Reality TV.
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Jan 15 2008

After watching six seasons of American Idol, you might think you know exactly what to expect from season seven. But viewers may be surprised by a few changes to the hit show. Here are seven things you oughta know about season seven.

1) There Will Be Less Focus On Celebrity Mentors

Celebrity mentors including Jennifer Lopez and Diana Ross got a lot of airtime last season. But producer Nigel Lythgoe thinks there might have been too much focus on the show's famous guests. "I think we got carried away with the mentors last season, for sure," he says. "We will take less mentors this year."

2) There Will Be More Focus On The Finalists

Producers want viewers to get to know the contestants a lot better this year. Lythgoe says "We will spend more time talking to the kids about their lives [and] what they want from this competition."

3) Instruments Will Be Allowed

For the first time, semifinalists will be allowed to play instruments during the Hollywood round. Lythgoe says "for some [contestants] it worked out brilliantly...and a couple of others just really crashed and burned very quickly."

4) Things Will Look A Bit Different

The show will debut a new look this season. There will be changes to the Idol set and the opening credits sequence.

5) There Will Be More Ways To Say Goodbye

We were all singing along with Chris Daughtry's hit song Home last year -- and that's because it was the only song played when contestants were eliminated. This year, producers will have three songs to choose from when they are creating each tear-jerking farewell video.

6) Idol Will Give Back Again

The show will once again ask viewers to dip into their pockets to help needy children around the world. The second Idol Gives Back special will air in April. But unlike last year, the special will not take over the American Idol timeslot. "Now we're taking a separate day out altogether," Lythgoe says.

7) The Cast Will Be Much Better

Simon Cowell told Variety "[The show has] got a better cast this [season]. I will go on record as saying this is one of the strongest years we’ve had.” (Doesn't he say that every season?)

(Quotes above are from a media conference call with Nigel Lythgoe.)