'American Idol' wild-card round could let anyone back into play

Associated Press

Last year, "American Idol" scored big with the wild card round. After being snubbed by the voters in his group, Clay Aiken was the nation's wild-card choice and went on to be the competition's runner-up and perhaps its ultimate breakout star.

Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says that for the third season, the wild-card format will remain largely unchanged. Once again, each judge will champion a favorite (a process that kept Carmen Rasmusen, Trenyce and Kim Caldwell in the game last year) and once again, viewers at home will select one favorite.

The only major difference will occur in the preliminaries leading up to the wild card.

"We're hoping to bring back 12 contestants, of which, eight will sing (on the show)," Lythgoe says. "The judges are going to watch them over a couple of days of rehearsing and make their decision live on the night which eight of the 12 will sing and audition again for America."

During last week's show, host Ryan Seacrest revealed that the wild-card show may again include contestants from each round. That could mean a reprieve for Scooter Girl, the guy who gave Paula a lap dance or even the Notorious William Hung.

Lythgoe also said the much-maligned guest judges will be back for the "American Idol" final 12.