America's favorite talent show, American Idol returns to television screens across the nation next Wednesday, January 18 (my birthday!) and will once again be hosted by Ryan Seacrest and judged by Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson. Bring on the hilariously awful audition videos! 

The two-night premiere happens next Wednesday from 8-10 pm and Thursday from 8-9 pm on Fox. A special, extended broadcast will also be aired on Sunday, January 22 from 10-11 pm.

The co-ed judges traveled to seven locations in search for the next biggest star: Savannah, Aspen, Galveston, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Diego and St. Louis.

The judges apparently are getting a wage increase this season- Lopez's alone is going from $12 million to $20 million. Why they need to make that much money to change people's lives is beyond me. They already have enough money for this lifetime and about the next three. That's Hollywood for you though I guess.

According to the article, Tyler insisted that Aerosmith would be performing at the season finale, despite guitarist Joe Perry's saying otherwise:

Despite Tyler's insistence that AEROSMITH would play the finale of the last season of "American Idol", AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry said in an online posting that the band was "never asked by producers" to perform at the event. He added that Brad [Whitford, AEROSMITH guitarist had] a gig that night with [Experience Hendrix]. [It was] not logistically possible.

Perry did write that AEROSMITH is looking forward to playing 'American Idol' next season when our new CD is out and we can prepare [for] a kick-ass show if they ask us.

Check out the two promotional videos for season 11 of American Idol:

Are you excited for the next season?

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