“Usually, whoever comers in first or second, that next season of auditions, you have a lot of those kinds of people,” Randy Jackson said of the upcoming American Idol 9. “It didn’t happen like that this time.”

“We got a very interesting, very unique cast that’s only unique to season nine,” Jackson stated.

Like many Idol fans, Jackson says he’s found himself missing Paula Abdul, who was with Idol for seasons one through eight. “She is one of our best friends,” he said. “It’s going to take a little getting used to.”

Abdul will be replaced on the the live broadcasts by Ellen DeGeneres. The audition rounds will contain guest judges like Posh Spice Victoria Beckham and How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris.