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)





[08/20/26 - 10:01 AM]
Headed Back to Muskoka: Prime Video Renews "Sterling Point" for a Second Season
The eight-episode series debuted on August 5 and quickly became a top series on Prime Video.

[08/20/26 - 09:45 AM]
Academy Award Nominee and Emmy Winner Steven Yeun to Lead Netflix Series "Pagans"
Yeun will play Gus: A single father struggling to raise two kids alone following his wife's death.

[08/20/26 - 09:37 AM]
AMC Global Media's September Highlights Include "The Walking Dead: Dead City," "Blue Murder Motel," "Age Inappropriate," "Hell Mode," the Return of "Season of Screams" and More!
Other offerings include Sundance Now's "Murderer Behind the Mask"; Acorn TV's "The Sommerdahl Murders"; and We TV's "Love After Lockup: The Road to Rehab."

[08/20/26 - 09:30 AM]
From Arcade to Animated Series: "Golden Axe" Set to Premiere Exclusively on Paramount+ Wednesday, September 16
In a hilarious homage to Sega's iconic 1989 video game, "Golden Axe" follows legendary warriors Ax Battler, Tyris Flare and Gilius Thunderhead as they reunite to save Yuria from the evil giant Death Adder, who just won't seem to stay dead.

[08/20/26 - 09:17 AM]
BET Unveils "Get Your Mind Right," A Multi-Platform Mental Health Initiative Designed to Inform, Inspire, and Connect Black Communities
Rooted in BET's longstanding commitment to uplifting and serving Black audiences, "Get Your Mind Right" reflects the urgency of advancing conversations around mental wellness while encouraging communities to seek support and connecting audiences to culturally relevant support.

[08/20/26 - 08:45 AM]
Genie Bouchard Joins ESPN for 2026 US Open
ESPN will present exclusive "first ball to last ball" coverage of the 2026 US Open beginning Sunday, August 24.

[08/20/26 - 08:34 AM]
ESPN Debuts Little League Alumni Alt-Cast of the MLB Little League Classic Presented by New York Life
Mike Monaco will handle play-by-play alongside analysts Todd Frazier and Devon Travis, with the trio calling the game on-site in Williamsport.

[08/20/26 - 08:31 AM]
Netflix Renews "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders" for a Fourth Season
Season four will follow a fresh batch of rookie candidates, comeback hopefuls and seasoned vets across the 2026-27 season.

[08/20/26 - 08:10 AM]
Food Network Serves Up a Frightfully Delicious Fall in New Seasons of "Halloween Baking Championship" and "Halloween Wars"
First up, on Sunday, September 13, at 9 p.m. ET/PT "Halloween Wars" will return with host Jonathan Bennett and a "Back from the Dead" theme featuring all-star expert pumpkin carving artists, sugar masters, and cake mavens who will face more difficult challenges than ever before.

[08/20/26 - 08:01 AM]
"The Hunting Wives" Season 2 - First Look Images & Date Announcement
Season two premieres on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26, 2026) and will release exclusively as a Netflix branded series in nearly all countries Netflix is available.

[08/20/26 - 08:00 AM]
The Final Reckoning Begins Emmy-Nominated "Yellowjackets" Returns for Its Final Season on November 20 on Paramount+
As the survivors race to bury their sins before rescue arrives and an old flame roars back into town with plans of her own.

[08/20/26 - 07:15 AM]
Adult Swim Sets September 13 Premiere for Live-Action Sketch Series "The Terrors of Jordan Mendoza"
Created by, starring, directed, and executive produced by Mendoza, the quarter-hour series follows a very scared man as he navigates a barrage of absurd, terrifying, and hilarious dreamscapes.

[08/20/26 - 07:00 AM]
CBS Presents "Daughters of 9/11," Airing Friday, Sept. 11
Twenty-five years after the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil, Elizabeth Miller, Jessica Trant and FBI special agent Frank Pellegrino confront whether the man accused of masterminding the attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), will ever face justice.

[08/20/26 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Line of Fire" - Official Trailer - NBC
A family of law enforcement agents bridges personal differences and crosses professional boundaries as they tackle cases for the FBI, US Marshals, Secret Service and Department of Justice.

[08/20/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Hell hath no fury like Lizzie...