or


[01/08/12 - 09:16 AM]
Welcome Back, "American Idol" - The Incredible Journey Begins With a Two-Night Premiere Wednesday, January 18 and Thursday, January 19
Plus: look for the show's 400th episode on a special night, Tuesday, February 28.

[via press release from FOX]

WELCOME BACK, "AMERICAN IDOL"

THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY BEGINS WITH A TWO-NIGHT PREMIERE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18 AND THURSDAY, JANUARY 19; AUDITIONS CONTINUE WITH A SPECIAL BROADCAST SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 FOLLOWING THE "NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME" ON FOX

Hollywood Rounds Begin Thursday, February 9

Performance Challenge Airs Wednesday, February 22

Semifinalists Revealed Thursday, February 23

Semifinalists Perform Tuesday, February 28 and Wednesday, February 29

America's Vote Reveals Finalists Thursday, March 1

The incredible journey is about to begin as AMERICAN IDOL, America's No. 1 show, returns for its remarkable 11th season. Featuring host Ryan Seacrest and returning judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, AMERICAN IDOL is set to return with a two-night event showcasing the nation's most extraordinary talent Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Thursday, Jan. 19. Auditions will continue with a special, extended primetime broadcast of AMERICAN IDOL Sunday, Jan. 22 (10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT), following the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (6:00 PM-CC ET live/3:00 PM-CC PT live) on FOX.

The show's judges - Jackson, Lopez and Tyler - traveled to Savannah, Aspen, Galveston, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Diego and St. Louis in search of contestants with the raw talent and potential to become the next AMERICAN IDOL. Auditions continue on Wednesday, Jan. 25 and Thursday, Jan. 26; Wednesday, Feb. 1 and Thursday, Feb. 2; and Wednesday, Feb. 8 on FOX.

The contestants who impress the judges will head to Hollywood and be put to the ultimate test during the "Hollywood Rounds," airing Thursday, Feb. 9; Wednesday, Feb. 15; and Thursday, Feb. 16.

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, those who make it through Hollywood must then take the "Performance Challenge," where they face the judges one last time before the top male and top female semifinalists are revealed on Thursday, Feb. 23.

The judges have their say after every performance, but it's the viewing public that determines who will advance to the next round of the competition and who will go home. In the milestone 400th episode, airing on a special night, Tuesday, Feb. 28, the first group of semifinalists will take the stage to sing for America's votes.

The following night, Wednesday, Feb. 29, the remaining semifinalists will perform. The competition takes an intense turn on the LIVE results show Thursday, March 1 as America's vote reveals the first set of finalists, then those that remain will have one last chance to perform for the judges who will round out the 2012 AMERICAN IDOL finalists with their wild card picks.

The following week, the competition heats up when the finalists take the stage on Wednesday, March 7. One finalist's journey will end as America's vote is revealed on Thursday, March 8.

All AMERICAN IDOL episodes begin at 8/7c unless otherwise noted.

RECAP

Wednesday, Jan. 18 Season Premiere, Part 1

Thursday, Jan. 19 Season Premiere, Part 2

Sunday, Jan. 22 Auditions Episode (Special Broadcast) (10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT)

Wednesday, Jan. 25 Auditions Episode

Thursday, Jan. 26 Auditions Episode

Wednesday, Feb. 1 Auditions Episode

Thursday, Feb. 2 Auditions Episode

Wednesday, Feb. 8 Auditions Episode

Thursday, Feb. 9 Hollywood Round, Part 1

Wednesday, Feb. 15 Hollywood Round, Part 2

Thursday, Feb. 16 Hollywood Round, Part 3

Wednesday, Feb. 22 Performance Challenge

Thursday, Feb. 23 Semifinalists Announced

Tuesday, Feb. 28 Semifinalists Perform/ 400th Episode (Special Broadcast)

Wednesday, Feb. 29 Semifinalists Perform

Thursday, March 1 Results Show; Finalists Announced and Judges' Wild Card Picks Revealed (ET live/PT tape-delayed)

Wednesday, March 7 Finalists Perform

Thursday, March 8 Results Show; First Elimination (ET live/PT tape-delayed)

Visit americanidol.com for all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.

Become a fan of AMERICAN IDOL on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanIdol. Follow the series on Twitter @AmericanIdol and join the discussion at #AmericanIdol. Also, follow host Ryan Seacrest at @RyanSeacrest, and follow the judges: @yo_randyjackson; @JLo; and @iamstevent.

AMERICAN IDOL is produced by 19 Entertainment, a division of CKX, Inc. and FremantleMedia North America, Inc. The series is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, CEO, XIX Entertainment, and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, CEO, Nigel Lythgoe Productions. AMERICAN IDOL has been No. 1 among Adults 18-49 for the past eight consecutive seasons.





  [january 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)





[11/25/25 - 12:29 PM]
The Second and Final Season of the HBO Original Drama Series "Like Water for Chocolate" Debuts February 15
The series returns Sunday, February 15 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) on HBO Latino in the U.S. and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

[11/25/25 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of November 17 - 3 Cheers for "Champagne Problems" at No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys continued to keep audiences guessing in their psychological thriller "The Beast in Me," which took the No. 1 spot on the English TV list for a second week with 14.1 million views.

[11/25/25 - 11:30 AM]
TNT Sports Unveils World Class Commentators for First-Ever World Sevens Football 7v7 Soccer Tournament in North America - Coverage Kicks Off Friday, Dec. 5
The fast-paced W7F series has redefined women's soccer with elite talent from eight of the best clubs in the world, an immersive fan-first experience, and a groundbreaking $5 million prize pool, the largest in the sport, designed to fuel intense, high-stakes competition.

[11/25/25 - 10:31 AM]
Toby Wallace Is Entering the World of "Assassin's Creed"
He's the first series regular cast for the live-action series adaptation of Ubisoft's best-selling video game franchise.

[11/25/25 - 10:02 AM]
Hulu Renews Hit Emmy Award-Nominated Series "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives"
The series has been renewed for a 20-episode order, with new episodes coming early 2026.

[11/25/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Sean Combs: The Reckoning" - Date Announcement - Netflix
This documentary series unpacks the shocking allegations behind Sean "Diddy" Combs and his Bad Boy empire, spanning decades of his life and career.

[11/25/25 - 09:01 AM]
"Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" Will Stream on Paramount+ Starting December 4
The jaw-dropping eighth film in one of the most iconic film series of all time will stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada.

[11/25/25 - 09:01 AM]
Prime Video Unveils First Look Images of "Scarpetta," Based on Patricia Cornwell's Bestselling Novels, Premiering March 11
The crime thriller series stars Nicole Kidman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, Ariana DeBose, Rosy McEwen, Amanda Righetti, Jake Cannavale, and Hunter Parrish.

[11/25/25 - 08:31 AM]
"Wednesday" Season 3: Eva Green Joins the Addams Family as Aunt Ophelia
"I'm thrilled to join the woefully twisted world of 'Wednesday' as Aunt Ophelia," said Green. "This show is such a deliciously dark and witty world, I can't wait to bring my own touch of cuckooness to the Addams family."

[11/25/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Star Search" - Official Teaser - Netflix
Netflix's iconic talent competition series will premiere live on January 13, 2026 with Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor Anthony Anderson set to host.

[11/25/25 - 01:01 AM]
Video: "How to Ruin Love: The Lobola" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Wedding bells are ringing - or are they? With feuding families and complicated lobola negotiations, Zoleka's walk down the aisle is anything but certain.

[11/25/25 - 12:01 AM]
Video: "The Town" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A group of cash-strapped friends find their morals and relationships tested when they stumble upon a stolen fortune in their hometown.

[11/24/25 - 03:18 PM]
FX Orders Anthology Series "Far Cry" to Stream on Hulu
The limited series from Noah Hawley and Rob Mac, with Mac set in the starring role, is based on Ubisoft's global hit video game franchise of the same title and the series will retain "Far Cry's" signature standalone storytelling format, with each season set in a new setting following a new cast of characters.

[11/24/25 - 03:01 PM]
Netflix's "One Piece" Season 3 Begins Production & Four Cast Members Upped to Series Regulars
Mikaela Hoover (Chopper), Joe Manganiello (Mr. 0), Lera Abova (Miss All Sunday) and Sendhil Ramamurthy (Nefartari Cobra) have been upped to series regulars for Season 3.

[11/24/25 - 02:08 PM]
The Nader Sisters Will Take a Second Bite Out of the Big Apple as "Love Thy Nader" Is Renewed for Season Two on Hulu and Freeform
The bold coming-of-age reality series follows the unapologetic and determined Nader sisters - Brooks, Mary Holland, Grace Ann and Sarah Jane - who left their humble beginnings in the Louisiana bayou for the glamour and grind of New York City.