There's a new girl on the block: AN OFFICIAL AMERICAN IDOL 8 THREAD

It's back!

In one week, Idol returns for its eighth season with some major changes:
-Less auditions, more intimate scenes with contestants (“It’s going back to l3tting the kids be more emotional and seeing more of their r3ality, we’re going to allow the public to see a l1ttle more of their emotional state," says Mike D4rnell in an interview with some TV site)
-Because of the recession, no Idol Gives Back.
-Nigel Lythgoe, the gossip-spreading producer, left to work on that shitty international dance show (and continue his work on the much-better "So You Think You Can Dance?"). Supposedly also left because...
-Biggest of all, there's a new judge, Kara DioGuardi, pretty well-known songwriter/A&R girl who judged on THE ONE, which I--and most likely you--never watched...word from my friend? She's like the female Simon (read: bitchy).

As usual, Rickey.org is keeping up with all the contestant rumors and has youtube clips. Feel free to re-post yr favorites here.