American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe recently dished a bit on the upcoming season of American Idol.

Last season, he admitted, the show was chock full of big names such as Jennifer Lopez and Gwen Stefani. But Lythgoe told reporters “we got carried away with the mentors,” and the focus will shift to the contestants this season.

“We will spend more time talking to the kids about their lives, what they want from this competition,” he said.

Of course, there will still be guest judges this year. But Britney Spears won't be one of them.

“Britney, at this moment in time, I don’t think is well enough to do anything,” he said. “I think she needs looking after. I think she needs to pull herself together.”

With ratings slipping a bit last year, Lythgoe said he has no illusions that the show will go on forever.

“I’m not that stupid,” he said. “I do think that it will dip in the ratings. That’s for other people to worry about. I just worry about making the best show I can make while I’m employed by that show."

Chris Daughtry certainly proved in 2007 that you needn't win American Idol to be a success.

The finalist's band, Daughtry, sold 3.2 million copies of their self-titled debut, making it the most popular album of the year. Well done, Chris!

New Year's Eve will be chock full of American Idol stars.

As previously reported, Carrie Underwood will ring in 2008 as part of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.

Now, FOX has announced today that Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks will join the band Lifehouse to perform on the network's New Year's Eve Live special.

New Year's Eve Live will be hosted by So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley, along with Spike Feresten from Talk Show with Spike Feresten.

These American Idol finalists will ring in 2008.

Carrie Underwood and Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus will help celebrate the new year on December 31 by joining an American tradition:

They'll perform live from Times Square as part of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.

The Jonas Brothers will also be on hand for the event that's hosted by Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest.

Fergie, Akon, Natasha Bedingfield and others will beam in from Hollywood.

A date has been announced for the second Idol Gives Back charity show.

The fundraiser will air on April 9, with a line-up that's yet to be announced. Last season's huge American Idol event of this nature raise $75 million for United States and African charities. It was viewed as a monumental success.

Get ready for the new season of American Idol on January 15!

The following is a grouping of a few rumored finalists for the upcoming season. Take this American Idol spoiler for what it is, but you might wanna get to know their names and faces before the new season stars in January. Check out our gallery every day for updates...

Take the following names, photos and information with a grain of salt as big as Simon Cowell's ego.

But a poster by the name of "JoesPlace" on Idol Forums claims to have spent hours searching through MySpace and various media outlets in order to come up with a handful of contestants who made it through to this season's top 50.

With that in mind, consider the following American Idol spoilers for season seven. These are the names of possible finalists, along with various tidbits about them. Read no further if you wish to be kept in suspense...

Brandon Green
Residency: Nashville TN, Lucedale, Mississippi

Cardin McKinney
Hometown: Nashville

Jason Castro
Age: 20
Residency: College Station, TX

Lisa Aukerman
Age: 22
Residency: Gainesville, FL

Continue Reading...

Is she looking for her next professional athlete crush?

A few months after Carrie Underwood was rumored to be dating Tony Romo, the American Idol champion shows up for an NHL contest.

Guess she's officially one of the 16 remaining hockey fans in the country.

Now that Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis have each released their debut albums, it's time for other American Idol finalists from last season to step up.

Reportedly, Phil Stacey is getting ready to do just that. The Naval officer is currently recording music for his solo CD, as he works with producer Wayne Kirkpatrick.

We can't wait to check it out!

On December 12, Dr. Phil and his wife Robin McGraw will host Christmas in Washington.

The special benefits the Children’s National Medical Center, and American Idol alumni Katharine McPhee recently taped her segment of the show. She's seen here alongside High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens and Ne-Yo.

Other artists slated to perform are: Alan Jackson, Andrea Bocelli, Colbie Caillat and Heather Headley.