HOT FROM FOX...

"IDOL ACROSS AMERICA" MOBILE EXPERIENCE LAUNCHES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, IN LOS ANGELES

"THIS IS AMERICAN IDOL" CONTEST TO SEND ONE LUCKY WINNER TO HOLLYWOOD TO APPEAR ON STAGE WITH RYAN SEACREST

Nationwide Tour to Visit 16 Markets

Follow the Tour Online at americanidol.com

Hit Series Returns for 10th Season Wednesday, January 19 and Thursday, January 20

In celebration of its much-anticipated 10th season, AMERICAN IDOL will launch IDOL ACROSS AMERICA, a biodiesel-fueled mobile experience tour traveling to 16 cities across the U.S. over a four-week period beginning Wednesday, Jan. 19.

During the mobile tour, visitors who are U.S. residents 15 years of age or older will have the opportunity to record their own take on the "This is AMERICAN IDOL..." introduction made famous by Ryan Seacrest and be entered into a nationwide contest for a chance to win a trip to Hollywood to deliver the famous line on the IDOL stage alongside Ryan! For eligibility, complete rules and more information, check out americanidol.com.

As part of the tour, fans will also have the opportunity to participate in the "Be Your Own Idol" singing experience and pose for photos - which they can pick up online and then upload to their favorite social-networking sites - at the IDOL judges' table alongside life-size standees of host Ryan Seacrest and judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

In addition to viewing one-of-a-kind AMERICAN IDOL memorabilia - including framed platinum records, Ryan Seacrest's suit, Carrie Underwood's finale dress and David Cook's guitar - and photos, fans can take a trip down memory lane by watching the special "Welcome Home" documentary that showcases all nine past IDOL winners.

The 10th season of AMERICAN IDOL kicks off with a two-night premiere Wednesday, Jan. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

IDOL ACROSS AMERICA launches at the following locations:

City Date Location
Los Angeles, CA Wednesday, Jan. 19
10:00 AM-2:00 PM Third Street Promenade / Santa Monica
5:00-9:00 PM LA Live / Downtown Los Angeles

Additional IDOL ACROSS AMERICA stops are as follows:

City Date
San Diego, CA Wednesday, Jan. 26
Phoenix, AZ Friday, Jan. 28
Houston, TX Wednesday, Feb. 2
Dallas, TX Saturday, Feb. 5
Dallas, TX (Super Bowl XLV) Sunday, Feb. 6
New Orleans, LA Tuesday, Feb. 8
Birmingham, AL Thursday, Feb. 10
Chicago, IL Sunday, Feb. 13
Nashville, TN Tuesday, Feb. 15
Atlanta, GA Thursday, Feb. 17
Charlotte, NC Friday, Feb. 18
Washington, D.C. Sunday, Feb. 20
Baltimore, MD Tuesday, Feb. 22
Philadelphia, PA Wednesday, Feb. 23
New York, NY Thursday, Feb. 24
New York, NY Friday, Feb. 25
Boston, MA Saturday, Feb. 26

Visit americanidol.com to follow IDOL ACROSS AMERICA as it makes its way around the country and also for exclusive videos, interviews and photos, as well as special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.

Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive produced by Simon Fuller, Founder, 19 Entertainment , a division of CKX, Inc.; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, President, Big Red 2 Entertainment.

EVERY SUPERSTAR BEGINS WITH A DREAM...

"AMERICAN IDOL" RETURNS FOR ITS TENTH SEASON WITH AUDITIONS FROM NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19 AND NEW ORLEANS ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, ON FOX

Hollywood Rounds Begin Wednesday, February 16

Contestants Perform in Las Vegas for First Time Ever on Wednesday, February 23

Judges' "Wild Card" and Finalists Revealed on Thursday, March 3

AMERICAN IDOL is set to return for its tenth season with new judges, new talent and new surprises along the way. This season's judges - Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler - are a triple-threat of credibility, chemistry and talent. Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, whose career as a music producer and record executive is unparalleled, will serve as the in-house mentor. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the two-night season premiere kicks off with auditions from New York / New Jersey on Wednesday, Jan. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and New Orleans on Thursday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

After the two-night premiere, auditions will continue for three weeks on Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning at 8:00 PM ET/PT.

AMERICAN IDOL auditions continue in Hollywood on Wednesday, Feb. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Feb. 17 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) with the hopefuls who received tickets to Hollywood from the judges. The contestants who make it through Hollywood will then head to Las Vegas for the first time ever to perform Beatles songs on the Cirque du Soleil LOVE stage Wednesday, Feb. 23 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). The auditions will conclude on Thursday, Feb. 24 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) when the judges reveal - in an exciting new twist - 20 semifinalists (10 guys and 10 girls).

The semifinalists compete on Tuesday, March 1 and Wednesday, March 2 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT). The five male and five female contestants with the most votes will be the first to join this season's finalists. The judges' will also make their special "Wild Card" picks rounding out the finalists on Thursday, March 3 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

RECAP (All times begin at 8:00 PM ET/PT)

Wednesday, Jan. 19 Season Premiere, Part 1 New York / New Jersey Audition Episode

Thursday, Jan. 20 Season Premiere, Part 2 New Orleans Audition Episode

Wednesday, Jan. 26 Audition Episode

Thursday, Jan. 27 Audition Episode

Wednesday, Feb. 2 Audition Episode

Thursday, Feb. 3 Audition Episode

Wednesday, Feb. 9 Audition Episode

Thursday, Feb. 10 Audition Episode

Wednesday, Feb. 16 Hollywood Round, Part 1

Thursday, Feb. 17 Hollywood Round, Part 2

Wednesday, Feb. 23 Las Vegas Round

Thursday, Feb. 24 Top 20 Semifinalists Announced

Tuesday, March 1 Semifinalists Perform

Wednesday, March 2 Semifinalists Perform

Thursday, March 3 First Results Show and Finalists Announced

Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive produced by Simon Fuller, Founder, 19 Entertainment , a division of CKX, Inc.; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, President, Big Red 2 Entertainment.

Visit americanidol.com for exclusive videos, interviews and photos, as well as special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: GLEE is preempted on Tuesday, March 1 for one night only.]