"American Idol" has just begun and already the show's new group of contestants is under scrutiny.

When "American Idol"'s Final 12 guys take to the stage tonight, they will be singing songs from the '60s, including some DOORS and some NEIL SEDAKA, according to the show's executive producer NIGEL LYTHGOE.

One issue that came up and which Lythgoe dismisses out of hand is that this year's contestants are controversial because several of them have had prior recording contracts.

"KELLY CLARKSON had a professional contract. BO BICE had a deal. TAYLOR HICKS has got records that are out there. This is nothing new," he explains.

Lythgoe goes on to say that the contestants in question -- CARLY SMITHSON, MICHAEL JOHNS and ROBBIE CARRICO -- are not breaking any rules.

"The rules of the competition state you do not have a contract now," he points out. "Goodness me, if ELVIS PRESLEY came back and was out of a contract and was able to participate through age, then he would be in the competition."

Lythgoe adds that "American Idol" has no intentions of hiding the past careers of any of this season's contenders. For example, DAVID ARCHULETA won "Star Search" when he was 11, and, if it is possible for "Idol" to get clearance to air clips from that show, they will include them in the upcoming video packages about the contestants.

This season, "American Idol" will only feature four mentors -- who have yet to be selected. Instead, they will spend more time focusing on the hopefuls. For example, tonight, the guys will each be featured on tape talking about their hopes and dreams, just prior to their song.

Another new feature this season will be "Where Are They Now?" It will be a part of the the results show, which will now be an hour, and will bring us up to date on what KIMBERLEY LOCKE and DIANA DeGARMO, for example, are doing now.

"I want to make it much more about 'American Idol' every season, and bring back people that we have known and see what they're up to. So that's a major part of it this year," Lythgoe adds.