If the waiting truly is the hardest part, then FOX has given American Idol fans plenty to wait for.
On Friday (Dec. 21) FOX announced the season's first tier Idol schedule, the actual progression of episodes through the auditions, Hollywood Round, Top 24 and right up to the beginning of the Top 12. Since some viewers can't stand the Leroy Wellses, Will Hungs and Crazy "Like A Virgin" Guys of the world, there's now a very clear timetable for when the contestants will (hopefully) become increasingly acceptable.
The Idol schedule includes a whopping eight nights and 10 hours of audition footage, as well as three hours in Hollywood before voting and the Top 24 begin on Tuesday, Feb. 19. Viewers who'd just as soon miss out on the next forgettable Sundance Head or Antonella Barba may want to wait until March 6, when the Top 12 is unveiled or, perhaps, the following week when the single single-elimination competition begins.
The key dates:
Tuesday, Jan. 15 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 1
Wednesday, Jan. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM) Season Premiere, Part 2
Tuesday, Jan. 22 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Wednesday, Jan. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Tuesday, Jan. 29 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Wednesday, Jan. 30 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Tuesday, Feb. 5 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Wednesday, Feb. 6 (8:00-9:00 PM) Auditions Episode
Tuesday, Feb. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 1
Wednesday, Feb. 13 (8:00-9:00 PM) Hollywood Round, Part 2 -- Top 24 Semifinalists Announced
Tuesday, Feb. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 12 Male Singers Perform
Wednesday, Feb. 20 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 12 Female Singers Perform
Thursday, Feb. 21 (8:00-9:00 PM) First Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) -- Two Male and Two Female Contestants Voted Off
Tuesday, Feb. 26 (8:00-9:30 PM) Top 10 Male Singers Perform
Wednesday, Feb. 27 (8:00-9:30 PM) Top 10 Female Singers Perform
Thursday, Feb. 28 (8:00-9:00 PM) Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) -- Two Male and Two Female Contestants Voted Off
Tuesday, March 4 (8:00-9:00 PM) Top 8 Male Singers Perform
Wednesday, March 5 (9:00-10:00 PM) Top 8 Female Singers Perform
Thursday, March 6 (8:00-9:00 PM) Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) -- Two Male and Two Female Contestants Voted Off; Top 12 Finalists Revealed
Tuesday, March 11 (8:00-10:00 PM) Top 12 Finalists Perform
Wednesday, March 12 (9:00-9:30 PM) Results Show (ET live/PT tape-delayed) -- One Contestant Voted Off 
Photos
Video
If the waiting truly is the hardest part, then FOX has given American Idol fans plenty to wait for.
Zap2it Twitter Talk 
Once again, Fox screws up with too many hours of zany auditions, and way too little (three hours) of Hollywood week.
That's a real shame. Around 175 make it to Hollywood, and we have not seen more than half of them. In three short hours, those 175 get whittled down to 24, and we still never get a look at many of the contenders. I thought it was clear from fans' comments last year they wanted more Hollywood Week. Darn it!
i agree with you i can do with out the crazy people who think they can sing.i want to see the real talent
I agree lets show more good talent than bad talent.
Hey, when are the next American idol audition dates for Northern California?
I want to audtion!
I agree, American Idol is turning into a big joke because of all the no-talent that decide to show up to auditions.