Critics at Rolling Stone say American Idol is back, with changes not only to the judging panel (with Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban), but also to the audition process and Hollywood Week.


Idol held its usual auditions in big cities, but also took a bus to smaller towns looking for talent....and even had Randy Jackson do a hidden-camera ambush to get some people to try out.

Hollywood Week will be split between the guys and the girls, with a week each....and the same will be done in Las Vegas.

And no more Wild Cards!

We'll also constantly hear that "Idol delivers"... meaning the other shows promise but so far, only Idol has delivered stars.. like Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, and reigning Idol Phillip Phillips: