It's barely begun, and already 'Idol' is awash in controversy

America has yet to begin voting and there's already controversy (mostly online) over "American Idol" -- this time whether it should have included contestant Carly Smithson among its Top 24. That's because she once had a recording contract.

We asked Nigel Lythgoe, the show's executive producer, about this and other "Idol" trivia as the show wraps up its Hollywood Week competition and viewers get to decide who stays and who goes. Here's an excerpt from a recent conference call:

Q: There's backlash over Carly Smithson. Shouldn't viewers/voters know about her past?

A: We're not ignoring anything. ... The rules state you can compete if you aren't signed at the time of the competition, which is not amateur. You could even have an album out and still be on the show.

(FYI: According to www.rickey.org, Smithson signed a recording contract in 2000 with MCA Records; her first CD was a bust, selling only 378 copies.)

Q: Why is it that some of the Top 24 have gotten so much air time, yet some contestants are barely seen?

A: It's always based on the stories. Once they reach Hollywood, we've got one two-hour show that covers four days. ... Three of the contestants sung "Crazy" (from the duo Gnarls Barkley), but we weren't allowed to show their performances on air because of (problems with the song's producer). Kelly Clarkson (Season 1 winner) wasn't shown at all during Hollywood Week.

Q: What's the plan now? Will the contestants still be able to play instruments? How many mentors will appear?

A: The first genre is '60s music, and we gave them 50 songs to pick from. ... They can play instruments, even though some people crashed and burned during Hollywood Week on the drums and guitar. As for mentors, there will be four, but we haven't announced them.

Q: Contrary to past seasons, does it feel like the guys have the upper hand this year? Any predictions?

A: Yes, the (male contestants) do seem to have an edge, but the girls have chosen some interesting songs for this first round. And there are some strong singers. For example, Alex Lushington is only 17, and she really took us by surprise. After losing her voice, Syesha (Mercado) wowed us with her performance.

No predictions. I have to work with all 24, and I don't want to upset 19 of them.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)