THEY ALL START SOMEWHERE ... AMERICAN IDOL RETURNS TO TV3

TV3 GROUP RELEASE
IMMEDIATE: Thursday 14th January 2010 

Ellen DeGeneres joins the Judges in Hollywood

In the audition cities, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi will be joined by rotating guest judges including, Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Joe Jonas, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain

Top 24 semi-finalists revealed Friday 19th February

Finalists revealed Friday 11th March

Finalists perform for first time Friday 16th March

Airing Friday 15th January 2010 at 9.30pm on TV3

The wait is almost over for the return of America’s No. 1 show! American Idol is set to return for its much-anticipated ninth season with double episodes every Friday featuring extraordinary talent and outrageous new auditions from around the states, airing from Friday 15th January 2010 at 9.30 on TV3.

After the double episode premiere with auditions getting off to a smashing start in Boston and then on to Atlanta, the show continues for three weeks with more auditions in Chicago, Orlando, Dallas, Los Angeles, and finally “The Road to Hollywood.”

This season on American Idol, the good, the bad and the awful audition for their shot at stardom. In the audition cities, Ryan Seacrest hosts, and Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi will be joined by rotating guest judges, including Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Joe Jonas, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain who will help select the hopefuls worthy of the “Golden Ticket” to Hollywood.

The lucky auditionees who get the judges’ approval then move on to the “Hollywood Round” where contestants vie for a semi-finalist position during the next phase of the auditions. Once in Hollywood, Ellen De Generes joins Simon, Randy and Kara as they continue to whittle down the competitors to a select group of performers who will get to sing their hearts out each week in front of a studio audience and television viewers with hopes of following in the footsteps of former American Idol sensations Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

Tune into American Idol every Friday from 15th January 2010 at 9pm on TV3

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ENDS.

For further information:
Maureen Catterson/ Ciara Byrne
TV3 PRESS OFFICE +353 1 419 3430/ 329
+353 87 7800 737/ +353 87 319 9732
Maureen.catterson@tv3.ie
Ciara.byrne@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie
www.tv3.ie