Welcome to the Dark Sideˆ of American Idol

After four seasons of truly cutthroat competition and diva-level meltdowns by the wannabees of the American demographic, American Idol is now truly preparing to raise the stakes from good, to bad, to truly, truly ugly. "Everyone seems to have more attitude," said executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. "Judge Simon Cowell has always said, 'You really hate these people, you want to get rid of them.' And they go, 'No, we love each other.' Well, not this crowd." In this season, the wicked witch known as Simon might get a taste of his own medicine, as contestants this season fight, curse, and threaten when they don't hear what they want. The format of the show-beginning with 12 males and 12 females, and whittling the number down to 6 each before eliminating all but the next American Idol-will be preserved, says Lythgoe. However, a new twist, expanding on the fights between the judges-primarily with Simon leaving in frustration-will be another new facet of the show, with cameras following these fights even with even more detail, even following judges out of the room. "Some very, very interesting things happen," Lythgoe said.