This is how a typical conversation about American Idol might have gone in 2002:

"Hey, did you see that show the other night? American Idol? That one singer was terrible! It was so funny!"

"I know! And I just hope Brian Dunkleman's contract is ironclad, because the show would be nothing without him."

"Yeah, but they should fire that British judge. He's mean. And meanness has no place in reality television."

Ah, what innocent fools viewers were. But as American Idol begins its eighth season tonight on Fox, the audience has grown up. They've seen and heard it all, including that "I've never been on an airplane" line. It was cute from Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler and that little cowboy from Wyoming. It's cute no more.

But this season will be different. During a recent conference call with reporters, Idol executive producer Ken Warwick discussed the many changes ahead. Which ones will hit the right note and which will cause us to wince in pain? You make the call.

Singer-songwriter-producer Kara DioGuardi has joined judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. According to Warwick, she and Paula tend to "gang up" on Simon. Messing with the tried-and-true trio is a risk, but perhaps necessary. Also necessary: Kara marrying Season 1 runner-up Justin Guarini so her name will be Kara DioGuardi-Guarini. Just an idea.

In the event of a tie among the judges, Simon will decide the singer's fate. Let's hope this will be the confidence boost he so desperately needs.

After the third season, the show dropped the format that allowed failed singers to get a second chance to make it into the top 12. (If not for the wild-card round, the world would not know Clay Aiken, and to some people, that's like the world not knowing sunshine.)

The top 36 will advance from the Hollywood round, after which there will be three shows of 12 singers each. The top female, top male and third-highest vote-getter will go on. (For those keeping score, that brings us to nine finalists.) Then comes the wild-card show, which will feature the fourth-highest vote-getters from previous rounds – plus anybody else the judges want to throw in. From that show, another three will become finalists.

This year, we'll get five full weeks of Hollywood audition drama, which means there will be one fewer episode devoted to the awful people. "There was so much emotion" in Hollywood, Warwick says, acknowledging that Idol had cut out much of the behind-the-scenes drama last year. Now, "it's very definitely back in."

Don't expect the very special episode in which the show "gives back" this year. Warwick blames the time and energy that the charity show requires. Plus, "it's a difficult financial time for everybody, you know, globally," he adds. That kind of points to a greater need for the show ... but OK. Anyway, they might give back next year.

According to Warwick, "Simon doesn't like it; he thinks it's stupid, he thinks it's the end of the program." America voted, and it agrees with Simon that the costumed characters have got to go.

There are lots of changes ahead, yes. But rest assured that some things will stay the same. Paula Abdul, for instance.

There have been rumors that Abdul will soon be shown the door, but Warwick says her job "is not in any jeopardy. America loves Paula."

After seven seasons, that's crazy but true. Kind of like the judge herself.

American Idol

7 Tuesday and Wednesday, Fox