AMERICAN IDOL Sets Their Schedule for 2010

Are you read for the return of American Idol? The ninth season begins with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, January 12th and Wednesday, January 13th on Fox.

As you know very well by now, we have to get through some good but mostly ear splitting auditions before we can get to the real talent of the season. Following the the two-night premiere, audition episodes will continue for the next three weeks.  But Idol has some great guests stars on board to help with the early judging. In addition to Randy, Simon and Kara, this season’s guests judges during the audition process included Neil Patrick Harris, Kristin Chenoweth, Joe Jonas, Mary J. Blige, Katy Perry and more.

Making it through the auditions is nothing. For Idol contestants it’s all about surviving Hollywood Week.  And when the hopefuls arrive, they’ll be greeted by new permanent judge, Ellen DeGeneres. Hollywood Week will air the first two Tuesdays and Wednesdays in February, so it looks like we the audience will get more of a chance to better get to know this year’s contestants.  On Wednesday, February 17th the Top 24 finalists (12 girls and 12 guys) will be announced, and on February 23rd the top 12 girls will take to the stage for the first night of the real competition.

Although every year I complain that the Idol audition process is drawn out a bit too long, it seems that they’ve tightened things up a bit this year. Yes, it’s two nights a week, but less than a month from the premiere and we’re already in Hollywood – where I think each season really starts.

As we have every year, GiveMeMyRemote.com will be covering American Idol in depth. Each performance night we’ll be sharing our own take on the contestants, and on the Wednesday night results show, GMMR will be live blogging to outcome as it happens. So we hope you’ll plan on making GMMR your site for all things Idol. Over the years we’ve had a great time watching the show together. Here’s to kicking it up a notch in 2010.

Here’s a look at the full Idol schedule from its January premiere through March. (All times ET/PT)

• Tuesday, Jan. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 1 – Boston Auditions Episode
• Wednesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-9:15 PM) Season Premiere, Part 2  Atlanta Auditions Episode
• Tuesday, Jan. 19 (8:00-9:00 PM) Chicago Auditions Episode
• Wednesday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM) Orlando Auditions Episode
• Tuesday, Jan. 26 (8:00-9:00 PM) Dallas Auditions Episode
• Wednesday, Jan. 27 (9:00-10:00 PM) Los Angeles Auditions Episode
• Tuesday, Feb. 2 (8:00-9:00 PM) Denver Auditions Episode
• Wednesday, Feb. 3 (9:00-10:00 PM) “The Road to Hollywood” Auditions Episode
• Tuesday, Feb. 9 (8:00-9:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 1
• Wednesday, Feb. 10 (9:00-10:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 2
• Tuesday, Feb. 16 (8:00-9:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 3
• Wednesday, Feb. 17 (9:00-10:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 4
• Top 24 Semifinalists Announced
• Tuesday, Feb. 23 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 12 Female Semifinalists Perform
• Wednesday, Feb. 24 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 12 Male Semifinalists Perform
• Thursday, Feb. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM) First Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) – Two Male and Two Female Contestants Eliminated
• Tuesday, March 2 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 10 Female Semifinalists Perform
• Wednesday, March 3 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 10 Male Semifinalists Perform
• Thursday, March 4 (8:00-9:00 PM) Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) – Two Male and Two Female Contestants Eliminated
• Tuesday, March 9 (8:00-9:00 PM) Top 8 Female Semifinalists Perform
• Wednesday, March 10 (9:00-10:00 PM) Top 8 Male Semifinalists Perform
• Thursday, March 11 (8:00-9:00 PM) Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) – Two Male and Two Female Contestants Eliminated; Finalists Revealed
• Tuesday, March 16 (8:00-10:00 PM) Finalists Perform (ET live/PT tape-delayed)
• Wednesday, March 17 (9:00-10:00 PM) Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) – One Contestant Eliminated