The lines could officially form outside of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena at noon on Friday (Aug. 1), but people were milling well before that, prepared to camp until Sunday, when the first auditions for the third season of FOX's "American Idol" began.

"I honestly believe this is going to be the biggest season yet," host Ryan Seacrest told reporters in the press tent at the Teen Choice Awards on Saturday night.

Seacrest, who is currently doing his regular radio work, hosting "Idol" spin-off "American Juniors" and prepping a syndicated show for this winter, is hardly a disinterested third party observer, but his logic makes sense (though the same couldn't be said for his Teen Choice coral shirt).

"The talent that doubted the credibility of 'American Idol,' season one, season two, saw what it does for young people and saw how it can make Kelly Clarkson a real star, how it can make Ruben and Clay stars," Seacrest said.

"And those who said to themselves, 'I'm not going to be part of a competition on television,' I think will show up to compete this time. We're expecting the creme de la creme to audition."

Seacrest couldn't speculate on any possible changes to the popular "Idol" format, though he noted that viewers would see a new Randy Jackson. In July, the jovial Jackson underwent gastric bypass surgery.

"I actually haven't seen the skinny Randy, but his voice sounds exactly the same," Ryan promises. "He's called me several times, so you can look for the same vocal tones from Randy. He actually wants to borrow my clothes, which is weird."

Clarkson, the winner of the first "American Idol," was one of the most popular figures on the Teen Choice Awards' iconoclastic blue AstroTurf welcome carpet. In addition to being voted Choice Music Female Artist, Clarkson also performed the latest single from her platinum debut "Thankful."

Between the release of the less-than-successful movie venture "From Justin to Kelly," the successful Asian launch of her album and filming a guest appearance on NBC's "American Dreams," Clarkson has been nearly as busy as Seacrest, but she took the time to send best wishes to future "Idol" hopefuls.

"I don't believe in luck, so just have fun," Clarkson said. "And don't worry about what Simon says, because he's just there to help you."

While it's too late for future Clarksons to make the Los Angeles auditions, they can head to Houston (Aug. 13), Atlanta (Aug. 20), New York (Aug. 25) or Honolulu (date TBD).

The Teen Choice Awards will air on FOX on Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. ET.