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American Idol Season 8 Highlights

(12 Photos)

Jacki Garfinkel on Aug 18, 2009 at 2:41PM

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Ray Mickshaw / FOX

The Wildcard/Top 13

For the first time since season three, Idol reintroduced the wildcard round. After voters picked three contestants from each of the three semi-final groups, the judges chose eight of the previously eliminated 27 semifinalists to sing on the next show. The judges—not the viewers—were then supposed to choose which four contestants would advance. Surprising everyone, the judges decided to have a Top 13 instead of a Top 12, and added Anoop Desai as the thirteenth contestant.