Season 15 of American Idol is just getting started, but it’s never too early to get a sneak peek at how the rest of the season will play out. FOX has released this year’s Idol schedule, including announcing when the series finale will air — it’s way earlier than previous seasons.
The auditions will last three weeks. And then Hollywood Week will take place over the course of two weeks, culminating in the Showcase Round on the final night when the Top 24 are announced. After the Semifinals, the Top 10 will be voted in. Yes, the final season will have a Top 10 instead of 12 or 13 like normal. But that’s likely because this will be a shortened season.
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The finals will air throughout the month of March, leading up to the big series finale on April 6 and April 7. There will also be a retrospective special the night before, looking back on the series that has created superstars Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert and many more.
Check out the season 15 schedule below:
Auditions
Wednesday, January 6: Premiere Part 1, Denver/Atlanta Auditions (8-10pm) (Already Aired)
Thursday, January 7: Premiere Part 2, San Francisco/Little Rock Auditions (8-10pm)
Wednesday, January 13: Philadelphia Auditions (8-9pm)
Thursday, January 14: Denver/Little Rock Auditions (8-10pm)
Wednesday, January 20: Atlanta/Little Rock/Philadelphia/San Francisco Auditions (8-9pm)
Thursday, January 21: Atlanta/Philadelphia/San Francisco Auditions (8-10pm)
Hollywood Week
Wednesday, January 27: Hollywood Week, Part 1 (8-9pm)
Thursday, January 28: Hollywood Week, Part 2 (8-10pm)
Wednesday, February 3: Hollywood Week, Part 3 (8-9pm)
Thursday, February 4: Showcase Round/Final Judgment — Top 24 Revealed (8-10pm)
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Semifinals
Wednesday, February 10: Semifinals — Fan-Favorite Idols Mentor (8-9pm)
Thursday, February 11: Semifinals — Fan-Favorite Idols Mentor (8-10pm)
Wednesday, February 17: Semifinals — Fan-Favorite Idols Mentor (8-9pm)
Thursday, February 18: Semifinals — Fan-Favorite Idols Mentor (8-10pm)
Wednesday, February 24: Semifinals — Fan-Favorite Idols Mentor/Judges’ Eliminations (8-10pm)
Thursday, February 25: Top 10 Announced, Top 10 Perform (8-10pm)
During the semifinals, fan-favorite Idol alumni will not only return to the show that made them household names, but they’ll also mentor and even sing with the Top 24.
Top 10
Thursday, March 3: The Finalists Perform (8-10pm)
Thursday, March 10: The Finalists Perform (8-10pm)
Thursday, March 17: The Finalists Perform (8-10pm)
Thursday, March 24: The Finalists Perform (8-10pm)
Thursday, March 31: The Finalists Perform (8-10pm)
Like with season 14, the final season will air only once a week during the finals. Also, even with the Top 10 format instead of Top 12, it seems like there would have to be a couple double eliminations in order to end the season on time.
Finale Week
Tuesday, April 5: American Idol: American Dream Retrospective Special (8-9pm)
Wednesday, April 6: Finale Part 1 (8-9pm)
Thursday, April 7: Series Finale (8-10pm)
During the retrospective special, host Ryan Seacrest, judges past and present, contestants and crew will look back over the past 15 seasons.
American Idol airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8pm on FOX.
(Image courtesy of FOX)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
Jeff Dodge, a graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena.
