So what’s the big ‘Idol’ surprise?

“The biggest thing to happen to American Idol in five years” will take place within the next two weeks.

So says executive producer Nigel Lithgoe, who’s certainly good at whipping up excitement with such comments.

“It does include American Idol, and it does include America,” he offers by way of a hint.

He says it’s not Michael Jackson, and that Jacko will not be showing up on Idol this season (which should be a relief to contestants’ parents).

So what is it? What’s the big surprise? Whitney Houston? Paul McCartney? Something completely different?

Let’s hear.You can hear Lithgoe’s interview with TV Week here. TV Week readers are guessing stuff like Whitney, McCartney, a show on a military carrier, the revelation that Paula’s a cyborg, an appearance by the Rolling Stones, bringing back Bayley Brown…

Let’s see if the Gasmers can do any better.

–Tabloid Baby