Get ready Idol fans!

As we gather in our living rooms for the start of American Idol's seventh season tonight, some of us are wondering: How can Fox keep this show interesting for us?

As for the year that's upon us, there are several points of interest:

• John Sligh, younger brother of curly-topped Chris from season six, auditioned this year, reports the TV Guide Channel's Idol Wrap. (No word on whether he was horrible, dreadful, terrible or even good.)

• Familiar faces in the audition rounds include Derrell and Terrell Brittenum, the Memphis twins who were disqualified in season five due to a run-in with the law. "They let the twins back in!" an Atlanta contestant complained on Idol Wrap. "The credit-card theft twins!" (It was actually identity fraud and forgery, but close enough.) The two thanked "God's grace" for restoring their Idol dreams. At least temporarily.

• In previous years, the main focus of the Hollywood round involved the gang splitting into trios, practicing a song, bickering, backstabbing, learning dance moves, complaining about sleepiness and then performing the tune for the judges. It's not happening this year. No more group numbers, reports the TV Guide Channel. But hopefully they'll still be able to cry about being tired!

• Another Hollywood-round change: This year, contestants were allowed to play an instrument to accompany themselves onstage. Not all were great multitaskers; Mr. Lythgoe recalls one person who attempted to play the drums while belting out a song. "It sounded like a complete nightmare," he reports. "Even Karen Carpenter wasn't that good at doing that."

• The list of guest mentors – a.k.a., celebrities looking for free publicity – will be much shorter this year. (Again, it's about the kids this time around.) Mr. Lythgoe wouldn't name any special guests, but he noted there are two that he's "absolutely thrilled with." (No, not Britney: Although he's a fan of Ms. Spears, he says that at this point, "I don't think she's well enough to do anything.")

• Sorry, America: Sanjaya mania will not be repeated. At least that's what Mr. Lythgoe predicts, "purely and simply because I'm rather hoping that our top 12 is going to be so talented this year."

• "Idol Gives Back" will be back.

So will all of those ridiculously awful auditions. The Idol honchos are convinced that America simply cannot get enough of painful warbling from delusional people. Oh, and Mr. Cowell promises "shockingly bad people this year." Yes. We know the drill.

As for who will be the last Idol standing, Mr. Cowell says he already has a few favorites.

"Luckily, we have three or four very strong guys and very strong girls this year," he says, adding that viewers should get "a more interesting" top 12 than, say, last season.

And speaking of seasons, how many more will the crotchety judge stick around for? He hints that his contract ends two seasons after this one, "which would make it nine in total," he says. "Nine is probably enough to inflict on anyone."

But could the show go on without him? "Absolutely," Mr. Cowell says. "In fact, it could get better.

By DARLA ATLAS

"American Idol" at 8 tonight and Wednesday on channel 7.