Airing locally on Q Channel 11, Season 9 of American Idol kicks off with a two-part premiere on January 13-14 (Wednesday and Thursday) at 6 pm.
Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, American Idol's Season 9 promises to be the most star-studded season ever with stars like Victoria Beckham, Katy Perry, Mary J. Blige, Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, and Kristin Chenoweth appearing as guest judges during the audition period.
And then, Emmy awardee and recent People's Choice Award winner Ellen Degeneres joins American Idol as one of the judges this season. She gets to sit alongside Idol judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi. Incidentally, Simon has announced that this will be his last season on the show since he plans to launch his new show X Factor in the United States by 2011.
The audition episodes, which feature some of the funniest and most memorable Idol tryouts across the U.S.A., begin on January 13 with the Boston auditions held at the Gillette Stadium. The following day, January 14, Idol will feature the Atlanta auditions held at the Georgia Dome.
Other audition venues include Cowboys Stadium, Dallas; Rose Bowl, Los Angeles; United Center, Chicago; and Amway Arena, Orlando. As expected, thousands lined up--some even braved the unpredictable weather for the chance to become the next American Idol.
Set to return this season is "Idol Gives Back," American Idol's concert-cum-fundraiser that features some of the biggest stars in Hollywood.
How will Ellen affect the dynamics among the Idol judges? Will another Pinoy emerge among the Idol hopefuls? Who will stand up to acerbic judge Simon?
Catch American Idol Season 9's two-part premiere airs on January 13, 6pm (with same day replay at 8 pm) and January 14, 6 pm (with same day replay at 8 pm)--via satellite--on Q Channel 11.