At least one Web site has published its list of potential 36 semifinalists for "American Idol" this season. This story on MSNBC.com (cue spoiler alert) quotes votefortheworst.com, which I blame for inflicting the insufferable Sanjaya oh those many weeks during Season 6. The story says the list is corroborated by JoesPlace, a blogger and message board contributor "who has leaked similar, and quite accurate, information in past seasons."

I took a peak at the list to see if particular people were on it. With this season's tweaks to freshen up the format, more time will be spent on the Hollywood rounds that will cull these hopefuls to the three dozen semifinalists. Regular viewers have already seen that AI producers kept their word to keep freaks to a minimum and focus more on emotional and heart-tugging stories. Like that of Scott MacIntyre (pictured here),who's almost completely blind and impressed the judges in Phoenix. (And, as an aside, I do hope they dump the gal who auditioned in a bikini. She should never have gotten a golden ticket to LaLa Land.)

The Hollywood rounds, to get this crowd down to 12 finalists, should provide some good drama.

[Photo: John Severson, Arizona Republic]