FINALLY the Facts: “Idol” Announces Its Season Schedule

Today, at the Winter Television Critics Association Tour, FOX finally announced the “Idol” schedule. And there is at least one thing in conflict with earlier reports—there will be a gender divide this season after all...

According to the official FOX press release, after four weeks of auditions, we’ll get a week of the Hollywood Round. Those who survive that cut will go to Las Vegas to perform Beatles songs on the Cirque du Soleil “LOVE” stage. Then, the judges will name 20 semifinalists and according to the press release, they will be 10 guys and 10 girls.

Then, the semifinalists will perform over two nights and the five male and give female contestants with the most votes will become finalists. Then the judges will make “Wild Card” picks to round out the finalists. The release does not say how many finalists there will be, no doubt leaving room for the judges to make that call after the vote.

Here’s the schedule from the FOX press release:

Wednesday, January 19th: Season Premiere, Part 1 (New York/New Jersey Auditions)

Thursday, January 20th: Season Premiere, Part 2 (New Orleans Auditions)

Wednesday, January 26th: Three weeks of audition episodes begin

Wednesday, February 16th: Hollywood Round, Part 1

Thursday, February 17th: Hollywood Round, Part 2

Wednesday, February 23rd: Las Vegas Round

Thursday, February 24th: Top 20 Semifinalists Announced

Tuesday, March 1st: Semifinalists perform

Wednesday, March 2nd: Semifinalists perform

Thursday, March 3rd: First Results Show and Finalists Announced

Now that we actually have some idea how this thing is going to happen, are we excited yet?