When “American Idol” returns with a new season in January, it will reveal several format changes meant to keep the show both fresh and interesting, thus focusing more on competitors who make it to the Hollywood round and less on initial auditions, producers announced on Monday.

The top-rated Fox talent program will start airing on January 13 with three weeks of audition episodes from East Rutherford, N.J., Jacksonville, Fla., Kansas City, Mo., Louisville, Ky., Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Although bad auditions will see a significant reduction in airtime, they will not be excluded from the format of the show, as their leaving out would make “American Idol” dull and tedious, executive producer Ken Warwick explained on Monday during a telephone news conference.

The popular contest’s eighth season premiere will feature a two-night, four-hour special on January 13-14, from 8 to 10 p.m., the network said.

More gifted singers will have the opportunity to make it to the show’s top 12 this season, since 36 aspirants will be selected for February’s semifinals, weighed against the 24 candidates who were picked on previous seasons.

“American Idol” will benefit from a certain amount of unpredictability, as the “wild card” round is likely to be introduced for the first time since the program’s third season. Therefore, eliminated contestants will have a chance to return on the competition’s stage and claim one of the top finalist spots. Nine finalists will be selected by viewers through their votes, while three wild-card singers will be chosen by judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and a previously announced newcomer, Kara DioGuardi.

In addition, the “Idol Gives Back” charity fundraiser will be skipped this season, but is expected to come back for the third time during the ninth season of the show.

Ken Warwick added during the Monday telephone conference with journalists that Paula Abdul’s position as a judge would not be affected by any changes, despite recent reports. He said that she is “worth her weight in gold” and that she was in no danger of losing her place in the panel.

Moreover, he said that the adjustments did not come as a result of last season’s 7 percent ratings decrease, adding that the show wouldn’t have celebrated its eighth anniversary if things had not worked out according to plan.

When asked about recent claims by Paula Abdul with regard to the appearance of her alleged stalker, Paula Goodspeed, on the show, Ken Warwick said that he and other producers had no idea that Paula Goodspeed faced mental problems. Goodspeed was discovered dead of supposed suicide in a vehicle close to Paula Abdul’s Los Angeles home last month.

Since its television debut, “American Idol” has brought to light numerous music stars, such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson.