American Idol Is Back

(EndPlay Staff Reports) -  American Idol is back, and its 11th season might just be the show’s best yet. Judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson, along with host Ryan Seacrest, are kicking off the season with a special two-night event on Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Thursday, Jan. 19.

What’s in store for viewers this season? Obviously a lot of talent, according to a news release from FOX. Judges have traveled the country looking for the next American idol, with stops in Savannah, Ga.; Aspen, Co.; Galveston, Texas; Pittsburgh, Pa., Portland, Ore.; San Diego, Calif.; and St. Louis, Mo.

After season ten’s tweaks -- including a reduced eligibility age, judges’ wildcards and a special Las Vegas round -- producer Nigel Lythgoe seems eager to get back into the usual Idol routine this year. “We made a lot of tweaks last year,” Lythgoe told Radar Online . “I'm not sure that we want to make too many more this year.”

Must-see episodes this season include this week’s kick-off special; the first Hollywood rounds on Thursday, Feb. 9; the “performance challenge” on Wednesday, Feb. 22; the milestone 400th episode on Tuesday, Feb. 28; and season finale on Thursday, March 8.

Here’s the full list of this season’s American Idol dates. All shows begin at 8 p.m. EST unless noted:

Wednesday, Jan. 18 -- Season Premiere, Part 1
Thursday, Jan. 19 -- Season Premiere, Part 2
Sunday, Jan. 22, 10 p.m. -- Auditions Episode (Special Broadcast)
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
Wednesday, March 7 -- Finalists Perform
Thursday, March 8 -- Results Show; First Eliminatio