New and old combine for latest season of ‘A.I.’

Preview. “American Idol” returns for an eighth season tonight. And although the reality competition is a ratings juggernaut, the show’s producers aren’t simply entering the same old horse into the prime-time race this year. Fans can expect a once-familiar format to reappear, as well as a new face on the judges panel.

The fourth judge
Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi joins the judges’ table to offer her own brand of no-nonsense criticism to the new cast of wannabes (think a less acerbic Simon and a more coherent Paula). DioGuardi penned songs for past “A.I.” contestants Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and David Archuleta, as well as worked on the hit-making machine behind Britney Spears and Faith Hill.

More serious auditions
The “A.I.” powers that be have vowed to cut back on footage of the bizarre contestants that try out in favor of more coverage of the truly talented. Which leads to ...

Return of the wild card
Season 8 will feature 36 semifinalists instead of the usual 24. Judges will be allowed to select “wild card” contestants they deem worthy to compete through the “Hollywood” round, those singers who otherwise wouldn’t have made the finalist cut. Clay Aiken was a wild card in the second season. So was Season 3 finalist Jennifer Hudson, who went on to win an Academy Award for her work in “Dreamgirls.”     

AMBER RAY/METRO