American Idol Team Covers EW, Previews Season Ahead

It's a bit too early to predict who will be crowned the next American Idol champion. It might help to have a few names of the finalists and all.

But the new (and improved?) team is featured in the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly and the panelists take a few broad guesses about who might end up on the finale stage in May:

Ryan Seacrest: I think you’ll see some of the youngest talent we’ve ever had compete with some of the oldest talent we’ve ever had.
Jennifer Lopez: You may have the youngest winner ever.
Randy Jackson: I’m going to go out on a limb. I think a girl’s going to win the show.

What about Simon Cowell departing the competition?

Says Randy:

"It’s definitely been interesting. He’s our friend for life. I don’t know if Steven knows him much, but Jennifer definitely knows him. We’ve all hung out together. So, listen, we definitely miss him, but it’s a different kind of vibe. It’s a different kind of energy now. And I think in season 10 the show actually really needed it."

Are you looking forward to season 10? It kicks off on January 19.

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