Season 13
The original music show phenomenon returns, hosted by Ryan Seacrest and featuring a new all-star judging panel, including Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., along with in-house mentor Randy Jackson.
Seacrest and the judges travel across the country, with stops in Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Omaha, NE, Salt Lake City, UT; and San Francisco, CA, searching for those who have the potential to transform from an everyday singer into a successful recording artist and join the ranks of famous Idol alumni, such as Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Scotty McCreery and Phillip Phillips.
The season begins by showcasing the nation's best talent from the Boston and Austin auditions and continues with more amazing auditions from Austin, San Francisco, Detroit, Atlanta, Salt Lake City and Omaha.
Those who prove they have what it takes to move forward in the competition think they are headed to the "Hollywood" round. But, even before they unpack their bags, the contestants will learn they must compete in a surprise "Hollywood or Home" round.
In this intense new round, the judges will decide if these hopefuls really are committed and talented enough to become the next singing superstar. Some of the singers will be asked to perform one more time for the judges - and for some, this will be their last performance.
It's a tough decision for the judges, but even tougher for the contestants, because those who don't make the cut must head straight home.
The "Hollywood" rounds continue as the hopefuls take the stage of the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for group and solo performances. The Hollywood rounds end with a new twist as the Top semi-finalists are revealed.
On the season's first live show, airing on a special night, the 15 remaining female contestants will face their Idol fates; the 15 male contestants will do the same on the following night.
On Thursday, 20 February, the Top 13 finalists will be revealed in the first results show live from Los Angeles. The following week, the competition gets fiercer when the Top 13 finalists perform live.
American Idol is produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of Core Media Group. The series was created by Simon Fuller and is executive produced by Simon Fuller, Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Trish Kinane, Per Blankens, Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager.
Broadcast Notes
Season 13 premiered on M-Net Series Reality on Friday 7 February 2014, at 20h30. New episodes broadcast in a double bill on Fridays at 20h30 and on Saturdays at 17h30 for the month of February, after which (from 1 March, 2014) the Saturday episodes fell away.
The Season 13 final performances were broadcast live on M-Net Series Reality on Tuesday 20 May 2014, at 03h00; with the finale airing live on Wednesday 21 May 2014, at 03h00. The final two episodes were repeated in their usual timeslot on Friday 23 May.