or


[12/22/09 - 11:38 AM]
They All Start SomewherE... "American Idol" Returns Tuesday, January 12 and Wednesday, January 13, on Fox
FOX details the schedule for the first two months of the show's ninth season.
[via press release from FOX]

THEY ALL START SOMEWHERE... "AMERICAN IDOL" RETURNS TUESDAY, JANUARY 12 AND WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, ON FOX

Ellen DeGeneres Joins the Judges in Hollywood

Top 24 Semifinalists Revealed Wednesday, February 17

Voting Begins Tuesday, February 23

Finalists Revealed Thursday, March 11

Finalists Perform for First Time Tuesday, March 16

The wait is almost over for the return of television's No. 1 show! AMERICAN IDOL is set to return for its much-anticipated ninth season with a two-night premiere featuring extraordinary talent and outrageous new auditions from Boston Tuesday, Jan. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Atlanta Wednesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-9:15 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

After the two-night premiere, auditions will continue for three weeks starting with the Chicago auditions on Tuesday, Jan. 19 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and continuing from Orlando on Wednesday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Then, Dallas auditions will air Tuesday, Jan. 26 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); Los Angeles on Wednesday, Jan. 27 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT); Denver on Tuesday, Feb. 2 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); and "The Road to Hollywood" auditions on Wednesday, Feb. 3 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

This season on AMERICAN IDOL, the good, the bad and the awful audition for their shot at stardom. In the audition cities, Ryan Seacrest hosts, and Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi will be joined by rotating guest judges Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Joe Jonas, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain who will help select the hopefuls worthy of the "Golden Ticket" to Hollywood.

The lucky auditioners who get the judges' approval then move on to the "Hollywood Round" where contestants vie for a semifinalist position during the next phase of the auditions. Once in Hollywood, Ellen joins Simon, Randy and Kara as they continue to winnow down the competitors to a select group of performers who will get to sing their hearts out each week in front of a studio audience and television viewers.

The "Hollywood Round" episodes will air Tuesday, Feb. 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); Wednesday, Feb. 10 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT); and Tuesday, Feb. 16 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). On Wednesday, Feb. 17 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), dreams come true for 24 contestants, as Simon, Randy, Kara and Ellen announce the Top 12 male and Top 12 female semifinalists.

It will then be up to America to decide who moves forward in the competition. The first performance show featuring the Top 12 female semifinalists will air Tuesday, Feb. 23 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). The following night, Wednesday, Feb. 24 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), the Top 12 male semifinalists will perform. The results show revealing America's first vote of the season will air Thursday, Feb. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), when the two male and two female contestants with the fewest votes will be sent home.

For the next two weeks, the girls will perform on Tuesdays, the guys will perform on Wednesdays and the results shows will air on Thursdays. The Top 10 female semifinalists will perform on Tuesday, March 2 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and the Top 10 male semifinalists will take the stage on Wednesday, March 3 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). On Thursday, March 4 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), four contestants � two girls and two guys � will be eliminated from the competition. The following week, the Top 8 female semifinalists will compete on Tuesday, March 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), and the Top 8 male semifinalists will perform on Wednesday, March 10 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Then, on Thursday, March 11 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), the finalists will be revealed after four more contestants are eliminated.

The competition heats up when the finalists take the stage LIVE and for the first time together on Tuesday, March 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). One contestant's journey will end when America's vote is revealed Wednesday, March 17 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed).

RECAP (All times ET/PT)

Tuesday, Jan. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 1 Boston Auditions Episode

Wednesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-9:15 PM) Season Premiere, Part 2 Atlanta Auditions Episode

Tuesday, Jan. 19 (8:00-9:00 PM) Chicago Auditions Episode

Wednesday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM) Orlando Auditions Episode

Tuesday, Jan. 26 (8:00-9:00 PM) Dallas Auditions Episode

Wednesday, Jan. 27 (9:00-10:00 PM) Los Angeles Auditions Episode

Tuesday, Feb. 2 (8:00-9:00 PM) Denver Auditions Episode

Wednesday, Feb. 3 (9:00-10:00 PM) "The Road to Hollywood" Auditions Episode

Tuesday, Feb. 9 (8:00-9:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 1

Wednesday, Feb. 10 (9:00-10:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 2

Tuesday, Feb. 16 (8:00-9:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 3

Wednesday, Feb. 17 (9:00-10:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 4 Top 24 Semifinalists Announced

Tuesday, Feb. 23 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 12 Female Semifinalists Perform

Wednesday, Feb. 24 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 12 Male Semifinalists Perform

Thursday, Feb. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM) First Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) Two Male and Two Female Contestants Eliminated

Tuesday, March 2 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 10 Female Semifinalists Perform

Wednesday, March 3 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 10 Male Semifinalists Perform

Thursday, March 4 (8:00-9:00 PM) Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) Two Male and Two Female Contestants Eliminated

Tuesday, March 9 (8:00-9:00 PM) Top 8 Female Semifinalists Perform

Wednesday, March 10 (9:00-10:00 PM) Top 8 Male Semifinalists Perform

Thursday, March 11 (8:00-9:00 PM) Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) Two Male and Two Female Contestants Eliminated; Finalists Revealed

Tuesday, March 16 (8:00-10:00 PM) Finalists Perform (ET live/PT tape-delayed)

Wednesday, March 17 (9:00-10:00 PM) Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) One Contestant Eliminated

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Please note extended run time for the Atlanta auditions episode on Wednesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-9:15 PM ET/PT).]





  [december 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)




[05/14/26 - 11:10 AM]
TLC Introduces "Little Singles" A New Relationship Series About Love, Friendship, and Life Without Limits
The new relationship series follows a vibrant, tight-knit group of little people for a rare opportunity to date, connect, and build community.

[05/14/26 - 10:34 AM]
FOX Sports Films Announces New Documentary Special "The 500: Immortality at Indy" Premiering May 16 on FOX
Hosted by James Hinchcliffe, the special reveals the defining moments at the Indianapolis 500 that turn drivers into legends.
[05/14/26 - 10:31 AM]
Video: "Bad Thoughts" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Tom Segura unleashes hilarious chaos with a fresh set of twisted tales from the darkest recesses of his imagination.
[05/14/26 - 10:07 AM]
"Rooster" Capped Off a Standout First Season, Becoming HBO's Most-Watched Comedy Debut in Over 15 Years
The series is averaging 6.5 million U.S. viewers per episode, with the finale reaching 2.2 million viewers in its first three days.
[05/14/26 - 10:01 AM]
Home Run! ESPN Scores Most-Consumed College Softball Regular Season on Record
The 2026 campaign featured four of ESPN's eight most-watched regular season games of all-time and delivered a record-high 10 games with more than 500,000 viewers.

[05/14/26 - 10:01 AM]
Kelsey Plum Joins WNBA on Prime as Player Contributor
Throughout the season, Plum will join the WNBA on Prime studio team to help highlight key storylines around the league, provide on-court insight and authentic analysis.
[05/14/26 - 10:00 AM]
BET and Paramount+ to Premiere "Tyler Perry's The Oval" Season 7 on May 20
The 22-episode season will air weekly, concluding on Wednesday, September 30.
[05/14/26 - 09:31 AM]
Video: "Outlast: The Jungle" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this ultimate survival game, the contestants must outlast not only the jungle and its elements but also the psychological and social challenges posed by their fellow competitors.
[05/14/26 - 09:11 AM]
Date Announcement: Hulu's "Never Change!"
In 2008 the graduating class of North Meadows High School had their senior year cut short due to a disastrous tornado. Now in their mid 30's they're being forced to return home and finish high school once and for all.

[05/14/26 - 09:08 AM]
New Season of "Maine Cabin Masters" Premieres May 25 on Magnolia Network
There's no shortage of work for Maine-based builder Chase Morrill, whose specialty is renovating rustic cabins and camps all over the Pine Tree State.

[05/14/26 - 09:01 AM]
Jodie Comer Stars in "The Chain," The New Damon Lindelof Limited Series Based Off the Book by Adrian McKinty
Meet Rachel.
[05/14/26 - 09:00 AM]
Wonder Project to Premiere New Original Series "I Gotta Ask," Hosted by Bestselling Author and Podcast Host Annie F. Downs, on May 28
The first two episodes premiere on May 28, followed by two episodes each on June 4 and June 11.

[05/14/26 - 08:45 AM]
Video: "Jesser's Ultimate Kickoff" - Official Trailer - Tubi Presents
Jesser and friends take on epic, high-energy soccer challenges like goal-scoring contests and mystery pool jumps for the entire family to enjoy!
[05/14/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Netflix's "Mating Season" Announces Guest Stars and an All New Clip
The world of horny, lovable forest critters gets even wilder adding comedic geniuses as guest stars to the voice cast.
[05/14/26 - 08:00 AM]
BET Enters Microdrama Space with aTwist Partnership Deal to Develop and Distribute Microseries Across Linear and Vertical Platforms
BET will have a limited first-run window of the long-form episodes before moving to aTwist's vertical platform where they will be formatted as microseries.