After weeks and weeks of off-season Idol news (both Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee were dumped by their labels, Jordin Sparks debuted an album that tanked, and of all people Brandon Rogers is part of the Idol TV Guide coverage this year), there’s finally something worth talking about: American Idol is back.

The much-anticipated FOX reality show has promised more talent and the same lovable judges to keep us entertained through a long winter full of striking writers. The two-hour season premiere, which starts Tuesday, also promises a few new elements - but more of what fans loved in the past, too.

Producers of say there will be more back story and fewer celebrity singers this season, with a focus turned on the contestants and not their more famous mentors. Idol Gives Back, the hugely successful charity event of last season, will also return amid much fanfare. Three nights of Idol, with no contestants being booted off, will mark the week the show Gives Back to the world.

Another addition this year will be musical instruments, which contestants are now allowed to play for the first time in show history.  (Producers are, however, giving this new element bad reviews; very few contestants performed well with the instrumental option added.)

At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. All that really matters is that Idol is - finally - back on the small screen, and not a moment too soon.

(You can find all the American Idol 7 posts here.)