CARRIE UNDERWOOD RETURNS TO "AMERICAN IDOL" TO PERFORM HER HIT SINGLE "JESUS, TAKE THE WHEEL" THURSDAY, MARCH 2, ON FOX

Season four winner Carrie Underwood returns to the AMERICAN IDOL stage this week, nine months after she was crowned the fourth American Idol. Underwood will perform her hit single "Jesus, Take the Wheel" on the results show Thursday, March 2 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). "Jesus, Take the Wheel" spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, while Underwood's debut album "Some Hearts" is No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart for the 11th straight week.

Underwood began 2006 with "Some Hearts" making music history as the fastest-selling debut country album and setting the benchmark for all new artists to follow. Having sold over 2 million copies to date, "Some Hearts" also has the distinction of becoming the fastest-certified debut country album ever released.

Tune in Tuesday, Feb. 28 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) for the Top 10 girls' performances and Wednesday, March 1 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) for performances by the Top 10 guys. On the results show airing Thursday, March 2 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), Underwood will perform and four more contestants will go home, ending their quest to become the next American Idol.

Fourteen-time Emmy-nominated 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, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.