Several changes are in the works, officials say, including:
* changing the format to let singers show other musical talents, such as guitar playing.
* many fewer "mentors," those established musical stars like Diana Ross and Tony Bennett, who appeared every week last season and took attention away from the contestants.
* and next summer, the annual "Idol" live tour may be combined with the "So You Think You Can Dance" tour – to create a show with both singing and dancing.
Hopefully with fewer mentors that means fewer bad theme nights, but I don't think we will get that lucky. I also don't like the merger of the SYTYCD and the American Idol tour. Maybe if the Judges who are narrowing the 160 contestants down to 24 do a better job picking more interesting and likable people the American Idol tour will sell again. Hint Hint Hint, last year sucked!
