American Idol returns tonight for its 11th season with an episode centered around auditions held in Savannah, Ga. Fox’s two-night premiere runs Wed., Jan. 18, and Thurs., Jan. 19 at 8/7 CT. The audition round of episodes will continue Sun., Jan. 22 following the NFC Championship Game. Among the cities hosting auditions for the next Idol were Aspen, Galveston, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Diego and St. Louis. See the schedule.
Idol has turned numerous contestants into stars, regardless of whether or not they won the show’s top prize. Last season country music shined on the singing competition, resulting in winner Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina.
Returning this year is host Ryan Seacrest and judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler.
The series has been the top-rated show on television since 2006, resulting in a slew of similar singing competitions. Former Idol judge Simon Cowell just wrapped the first season of his talent show The X Factor, also on Fox. Meanwhile, NBC hit The Voice featuring celebrity coaches Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine and Cee Lo Green returns with a big premiere following the Feb. 5 Super Bowl.
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Sarah Skates has worked in the music business for more than a decade and is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.View Author Profile
