'American Idol' chatter: It's (almost) back!

Read the rest of the article and info on past Idol "rejects" here

A look back before the new season begins
By Anne Neville - News Staff Reporter
Updated: 01/06/08 12:30 PM

Season Seven of "American Idol" kicks off next week with the offbeat audition shows that producer Nigel Lythgoe called "Cirque du Lack of Talent."

"It's all the ones that we can smile at and laugh at and say, "Thank God it wasn't us!'" Lythgoe said in a conference call last month. The wacky auditions usually include a few people in costume, several who can't sing a note, and many who are offended by the news that they pretty much stink as entertainers.

Lythgoe and the judges are claiming … again! … that this year will feature the best contestants ever. In fact, it's so predictable that Lythgoe joked, "I think we're all paid to say that every year." But this year they really mean it!

The season starts with two-hour broadcasts at 8 p.m. Jan. 15 and 16 featuring auditions from San Diego, Omaha, Dallas, Atlanta, Charleston, Miami and Philadelphia. Lythgoe says the best competitors were from San Diego, but the wackiness of the Philadelphia auditions may mean we see them early. After the first week, audition shows last an hour and run Tuesdays and Wednesdays until Feb. 12, when the Hollywood Round starts.

This is where this season's first changes will be apparent. Some contestants will accompany themselves on instruments during these competitions, said Lythgoe. "For some it worked out brilliantly," he said. "Three that I am positive are going to be in our Top 12 … as much as you can be … were terrific. A couple of others really crashed and burned very quickly. It is difficult to play the drums and sing in tune … even Karen Carpenter wasn't that good at doing that."

Lythgoe said it hasn't been decided whether the contestants will be able to play instruments during the show beyond the Hollywood Round. "We're talking about it."

The producer says the show will spotlight contestants' personalities rather than celebrity mentors. "I think we got carried away with the mentors last season, for sure," he said. "We will take less mentors this year."

But the "mentors" stage seems far away … this is the dead-of-winter, guilty pleasure, can-you-believe-that-guy version of "American Idol." With that in mind, let's take a look back at some of the most memorable auditioners.