American Idol (season 9)

The ninth season of American Idol premiered on January 12, 2010, on Fox.Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi have all returned as judges, and Ellen DeGeneres has permanently replaced Paula Abdul as the fourth judge.

Idol Gives Back will also return this season and will be held on April 21, 2010, during the top seven results show. The top 24 semi-finals format used in the fourth through seventh seasons also returned this season.

This will be Simon Cowell's last season judging on American Idol.

After the season began, Paula Abdul did not return as the fourth judge on the panel, having announced in the beginning of August 2009 that she was leaving the show due to unresolved contract negotiations. Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Shania Twain, Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris and Kristin Chenoweth were brought in to star as guest judges during the auditions phase.

'American Idol' reveals top 24 semifinalists 2010

LOS ANGELES – It's good news for Tim Urban and 23 other singers on "American Idol."

The 20-year-old college student from Duncanville, Texas, was among the 17 remaining semifinalists revealed Wednesday on the Fox singing competition after seven were unveiled Tuesday. "Idol" judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and newcomer Ellen DeGeneres delivered the news to the 36 contestants left standing at the conclusion of "Hollywood Week."

It's not the first semifinalist switcheroo on "Idol." Last season, Joanna Pacitti was shown advancing to the top 36 after "Hollywood Week" but was later replaced by Felicia Barton. Pacitti released an album in 2006 and had ties to 19 Entertainment, which produces "Idol" with FremantleMedia North America. She was also deemed "ineligible to .