When 13 finalists were announced in lieu of the traditional 12 on American Idol
, it became clear producers were trying to shake things up. Now, Ryan Seacrest has revealed there’s an even bigger twist to come. “We’ve kind of changed the entire theme and concept of the show. It deviates from the purity of the premise of American Idol,” the host said on his radio show
. Please God, let it be a mandatory dance-off with Paula Abdul.

UPDATE: The twist is the “judges’ save,” it allows Simon-Kara-Randy-Paula to unanimously reverse the ejection of a singer who has lost in the week’s call-in vote. The judges can do this only once a season, and only in the weeks before the Top Five. (Also, the week following the save, there’ll be a double elimination.)

Gallery Info: Paula Abdul spends an evening out with friends and fans at Koi restaurant in Los Angeles.ryan-seacres