The next edition of American Idol may not start until January, but the FOX juggernaut is already making news.

Several changes are in the works, officials told The New York Post, including:

• Changing the format to allow singers to show other musical talents, such as guitar playing;
• Many fewer "mentors," those established musical stars like Diana Ross and Tony Bennett, who appeared every week last season and took attention away from the contestants;
• And, next summer, the annual American Idol live tour may be combined with the So You Think You Can Dance tour, in order to create a show with both singing and dancing.

We can't wait to watch it all.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.