A crueler, less kind 'American Idol'?

By Stone Martindale Jan 15, 2008, 19:27 GMT

Simon Cowell -Westwood, CA © Glenn Harris / Photorazzi

We didn't think it was possible for it to happen, after season 6 of Fox's "American Idol" that paraded the crazy-coiffed Sanjaya to cheers and jeers and a boatload of criticism.

The new season of American Idol is rumored to be the meanest yet, and all gussied-up in a very expensive new set with reconfigured stages.

Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, according to the New York Post, will reportedly let the "vitriol flow freely" when "Idol's" seventh season begins tonight.

"In the early part of the show that sort of cruel streak that we have is very important," executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told a reporter.

"Because, I think, to understand if you're going to be successful in this business, you have to be able to take the knocks and rebound back from it."

The Post speculates we will be witnessing a right smackdown of wannabe contestants who put themselves forth for judging on America's biggest talent show.

The paper claims that  "blunt talk plus the writers strike and some format changes" may help "Idol" post some of its best ratings yet, according to Lythgoe.

"There will be very little else on, apart from repeats," he says.

You won't be seeing many "celebrity mentors," an "Idol" feature that many - including Lythgoe - feel may have hurt last year's ratings.

"It's not about the judges and its not about the mentors," he says. "It's about the program as a whole and, first and foremost, it's about the kids, the talent that comes on and their stories. And that's what will keep people watching."