HOLLYWOOD, HERE WE COME�

THE BEST SINGERS FROM ACROSS THE NATION FACE THE TOUGHEST AUDITIONS OF THEIR LIVES ON "AMERICAN IDOL" FEBRUARY 8, 9, 15 AND 16 ON FOX Contestants Compete for the Semifinal Spots; Top 24 to be Revealed on February 16

America has gotten an earful from the vocally talented and the melodically challenged; now, out of 100,000 people who came to the auditions, 193 of the best performers from around the nation have arrived in Hollywood for their shot at becoming the next AMERICAN IDOL. One of these talented contestants will join Kelly, Ruben and Fantasia in winning the coveted IDOL crown. Watch the contestants try to wow the judges with their voices, and find out who Simon, Paula and Randy believe has what it takes to become America's favorite singer. Viewers will see the exhilarating, but grueling, competition tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 8 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Feb. 9 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

This week, the best talent America has to offer is in Hollywood for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's their toughest audition yet, and for some of them it will be a life-changing opportunity. The contestants will perform solo and in groups before the judges - not just a song, but choreography as well - and they'll compete against each other. Who will make it to the semifinals and who will be sent home to try again next year? Who will hit all the right notes and who will fall flat under the pressure?

Next week, the competition intensifies as the remaining contestants vie for the coveted 44 semifinal spots on Tuesday, Feb. 15 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Contestants lay it on the line before the judges, hoping to survive another day in the competition. The judges' task becomes even harder as they make the final decisions on who will be in the Top 24. Only 44 contestants remain in this episode and fewer than half will continue on - 12 males and 12 females. In the most dramatic audition episode this season, the contestants must face the judges one by one to find out their fate. Watch as the hopefuls find out who will move on and whose journey ends this night on the "Final Judgment" episode of AMERICAN IDOL Wednesday, Feb. 16 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

Eight-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Television; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Chief Operating Officer, Production, FremantleMedia North America Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

About FremantleMedia North America

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is on the leading edge of global broadcast production, developing some of television's most innovative and most-watched new programming. Based in Santa Monica and with offices in New York, FMNA has produced such genre-bending shows as the musical/reality phenomenon AMERICAN IDOL, which has received eight Emmy nominations, and the hotly debated reality series THE SWAN, both on FOX. The company recently completed a 12-episode series of the comedy game show "Distraction" for Comedy Central. Other credits include "The Price Is Right" (CBS), the longest-running game show in television history; the daily syndicated game show "Family Feud"; and the breakout hit lifestyle show "How Clean Is Your House?"

FMNA is a division of programming giant FremantleMedia, which creates and produces content in more than 40 countries. FremantleMedia is the production arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company. With interests in 28 television channels and 30 radio stations in 10 countries, RTL Group is a division of leading integrated media and entertainment company Bertelsmann AG. For further information, visit www.fremantlemedia.com.

About 19 Entertainment

19 is recognized as a leading creator, provider and promoter of globally successful, music-based entertainment, or "Entertainment Brands." 19 has attracted a unique collection of expertise in people who work together to integrate and leverage activity across television, music, film, merchandising, music publishing, recording, artist/writer and producer management, sponsorship and promotion. To date, 19 has been involved in the creation of 101 No. 1 singles and 81 No. 1 albums, with an impressive tally of 233 Top 40 albums and 389 Top 40 singles.