The "Idol" exec producer confirms that Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell are here to stay.

It is only two months since David Cook was crowned the "American Idol," but plans for season eight are already underway as are auditions in San Francisco today in the search for the next singing sensation. And according to the show's executive producer Nigel Lythoge, who was at a press conference for another of his FOX shows -- "So You Think You Can Dance" -- not much will change next year.

"I am delighted with the judges on 'Idol,' he says. "You are not going to see ['So You Think You Can Dance' judge] Mary Murphy on 'Idol.' We are going to keep the idea of being able to play instruments. We really liked that."

When queried as to whether or not he was surprised that David Cook won the competition, he reveals that it was a strange season with Syesha Mercado winning one week, David Archuleta winning another, and, Jason Castro never taking the top slot despite being in the Final Four.

"I couldn't be surprised because I knew the results leading up to that position," he says. "I think Archuleta performed better than Cook did [in the finale], but I think the nation looked at [the whole season] and balanced out who they liked."