American Idol is expected to play around with the format for the all important Wild Card round.

The Wild Card episode traditionally brings back 10 popular contestants who did not make it to the final rounds. The audience then votes for their favourite, and the three judges also select one of their favourites.

The Wild Card winner has historically gone on to do huge things in later rounds. American Idol’s second season Wild Card, Clay Aiken, went on to place 2nd in the series and sell millions of records. Australian Idol’s Cosima De Vito was unquestionably the secret ratings weapon behind the success of the series locally.

This year, American Idol will bring back 12 popular contestants from all rounds of the competition, including the initial auditions. This could mean a second chance for Scooter Girl, the girl who called Simon gay, the guy who gave Paula a lapdance, and the infamous Willam ‘She Bangs!’ Hung.

Before they get a chance to sing before the world, they will be work shopped over 3 days and carefully scrutinized by the judges.

But only 8 will get a chance to sing again.

Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe hopes the new format will give the producers a chance to add more diversity to the Final 12.

"Obviously, until we know who's in and who isn't in, we don't want to pin ourselves down too much. We also don't want to pin down how many boys against how many girls. I personally think we're going to get an awful lot of girls this year. I think the girls are stronger. So I might weight the Wild Card show in favor of boys to try and make it a bit more even."

Lythgoe is also not too sure on who will be the next American Idol.

“I haven't seen anyone outstanding in this group. I think they are all much stronger than both years as a pack. Now it will be interesting to see how they grow."

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