Season 9 premiered on January 12, 2010 with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi returning as judges, and Ellen DeGeneres replacing Paula Abdul in the remaining judges' seat. Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Shania Twain, Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris and Kristin Chenoweth are taking the fourth chair throughout the audition call-back phase.

Simon Cowell dropped a bombshell shortly before the season opener, that this was to be his last season on Idol. Rumors are swirling that he will be joining a new musical reality series entitled The X Factor. Leading contenders for Cowell's seat include Sirius radio shock jock Howard Stern and rocker Bret Michaels.

Idol returns to its previous top 24 semi-finals format that was previously used in seasons four through seven. Making a return as well is Idol Gives Back, scheduled for the Top 7 results show during the April 21st episode.

Check out our spoilers page for all the latest drama and rumors, as well as a weekly play by play of the live show!

• Katie Stevens: eliminated April 14
• Siobhan Magnus: eliminated April 28
• Paige Miles: eliminated March 24
• Lee DeWyze: WINNER
• Crystal Bowersox: runner up
• Aaron Kelly: eliminated May 5
• Michael Lynche: eliminated May 12
• Andrew Garcia: eliminated April 14
• Didi Benami: eliminated March 31
• Lacey Brown: eliminated March 17
• Casey James: eliminated May 19
• Tim Urban: eliminated April 21

January 12: Boston Auditions with guest judge Victoria Beckham
January 13: Atlanta Auditions with guest judge Mary J. Blige
January 19: Chicago Auditions with guest judge Shania Twain
January 20: Orlando Auditions with guest judge Kristin Chenoweth
January 26: Los Angeles Auditions with guest judges Joe Jonas and Neil Patrick Harris
January 27: Dallas Auditions with guest judges Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne
February 2: Denver Auditions with guest judge Victoria Beckham

February 3: “The Road to Hollywood”
February 9: Hollywood Round 1
February 10: Hollywood Round 2
February 16: Hollywood Round 3
February 17: Hollywood Round 4 – Top 24 Semifinalists Announced

February 23: Top 12 Female Semifinalists Perform
February 24: Top 12 Male Semifinalists Perform
February 25: Results Show – Two Male and Two Female Contestants Eliminated

March 2: Top 10 Female Semifinalists Perform
March 3: Top 10 Male Semifinalists Perform
March 4: Results Show – Two Male and Two Female Contestants Eliminated
March 9: Top 8 Female Semifinalists Perform
March 10: Top 8 Male Semifinalists Perform
March 11: Results Show – Two Male and Two Female Contestants Eliminated; Top 12 Finalists Revealed!

March 16: Top 12 Finalists Perform hits from the Rolling Stones
March 17: Results Show – Lacey Brown Eliminated
March 23: Billboard # 1 Hits with mentor Miley Cyrus
March 24: Results Show – Paige Miles Eliminated
March 30: Top 10, R&B songs with mentor Usher
March 31: Results Show – Didi Benami

April 6: Top 9, Lennon/McCartney Songbook
April 7: Results Show – Michael Lynche Eliminated, Judges' save used
April 13: Top 9 (again), Elvis songs with mentor Adam Lambert
April 14: Results Show – Andrew Garcia, Katie Stevens Eliminated
April 20: Top 7, Inspirational songs with mentor Alicia Keyes
April 21: Idol Gives Back, Results Show – Tim Urban Eliminated
April 27: Top 6, Shania Twain songs with mentor Shania Twain
April 28: Results Show – Siobhan Magnus Eliminated

May 4: Top 5, Frank Sinatra songs with mentor Harry Connick Jr
May 5: Results Show – Aaron Kelly Eliminated
May 11: Top 4, Songs from the Movies with mentor Jamie Foxx
May 12: Results Show – Michael Lynche Eliminated
May 18: Top 3, Contestant's Choice, Judge's Choice, Producer's Choice
May 19: Results Show – Casey James Eliminated
May 26: Results Show – Crystal Bowersox Eliminated; Lee DeWyze declared winner

1. Auditioners must be legal U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident eligible for full-time in the U.S.

2. Must also be between 16 and 28 years old as of June 12, 2009

3. May not have participated in Season 1 (top 30), Season 2 (top 32), Season 3 (top 36), Season 4 (top 44), Season 5 (top 44), Season 6 (top 40), Season 7 (top 24), Season 8 (top 36)

4. Semifinalists must not have either a verbal or written contract with a talent agent, record label, exclusive acting recording or management contract, or agreement regarding use of name, voice or likeness.

5. No family members may be current employees, directors, officers, independent contractors, agents, or representatives of the 19 Companies, Fox Entertainment, American Idol Productions, Sony or any program sponsors.