American Idol returns next week to ITV2 on Thursday at 8pm for any fans out there.

I've watched the last few series (or seasons) and have to say that I really enjoy the show, sometimes more than the X-Factor.

Last year ITV had Cat Deeley with exclusive intereviews and gossip, but I actually thought it ruined the flow of the programme too much and I think this year they have got rid of her. I wouldn't mind if Cat did an additonal seperate programme but not mixed in with the main show.

Anyone else going to watch American Idol this year?

I always say im going to watch American Idol for like the last 3 years but then i keep forgetting, but this year im going to watch it! I love X Factor so im hoping to love american idol!

Why oh why is it on Thursday? No more Fridays then?

American Idol is by far better then X Factor, Last year Lakisha was my fave, she was sooo good.

I too hated the show with Cat Deeley, I would like a behind the scences show but as a seperate one and not mixed in the show.

I think the reason they've moved it to Thursday is because ITV1 doesn't want anything to clash with their 'new look' Friday night schedule.

it appears to be on friday too

I didn't realise that but yeah it's also on Friday nights.

I wonder if when we get to the 'live' shows that ITV2 will screen the main show on Thursday and then show the results on a Friday. Like they do in America where they screen the main show on Tuesday (I think) and then have the results on Wednesday. I hope not as I would rather they show the results straight after.

This is the schedule for the show starting today.

THURSDAY 17TH JAN

20:00 - 21:00 - American Idol - Ep 1
21:00 - 22:00 - Simon Cowell: American Idol - Documentary
22:00 - 23:00 - American Idol - Ep 2

FRIDAY 18TH JAN

22:00 - 0:05 - American Idol - Ep 3

God it messes up my week as I have alot that I sky + on thursdays and I liked watching Idol on a Friday.

If they show it over 2 nights like you said then I doubt I will watch Fridays one as I ill just watch it on youtube, I tended to do that last year and I would find out who was going, I dont really like suspense so thats why I wanted to know who was going lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuH0v7GI ... re=related

funniest and best American Idol audition EVER

PMSL @ Video.

Just watched that on ITV 2 (they are still repeating the shows on Saturday and probably 5 other times during the week). The US auditions are a lot better than ours for comedy value.

I prefer AI to X Factor or anything we have like it, you seem to see much nicer people go on in, maybe it's the way they show it, i dont know but I tend to see people on their that I know I would get along with if I knew them.

There was certainly some interesting characters on the show this week. Surely some of them just have to do it for publicity But there was a couple of potential singers that I think may get further into the show.

But Renaldo Lapuz with his original composition 'We're Brothers Forever' was a classic which I just had to watch again. Annoyingly though I can't get that song out of my head.

Another set of interesting performances this week But while none can match last weeks classic Renaldo Lapuz there was a few who stood out, mainly for the wrong reasons. Though there was some that auditioned that had potential as well.

Here's some of my favourites from last week.

1. Michelle & Jeffery Lampkin - Brother & sister combo. The American version of Same Difference? - http://youtube.com/watch?v=5xG1zC97msw&feature=related

2. Alberto Hurtdao - WTF! - http://youtube.com/watch?v=w93djmtFf7c

3. Joshua Boson - Bad attitude problem - http://youtube.com/watch?v=FeikpHhKNN4

4. Valeire Reyes - Badly trying to copy Mariah Carey - http://youtube.com/watch?v=ftX4GrK4V-s

I liked the brother and sister, thought they were a bit harsh on the sister.

Joshua Boson was an idiot, he could not sing, not a note.

Im watching the judges picking the top 24 men and women, and im confused with one thing,

When they pick the top 24 men and women, what happens next? Im guessing not all 48 go to the live shows? This is the first series ive watched so im not sure what happenes next! Does anybody no?

From what I can remember there are 'warm-up' live shows, essentially they are heats, where a couple are chosen from each one and make up the original 12 for the live shows. There is also a wildcard entry for the line-up too, but again not sure for definite

Oh right, ok, i never saw Pop Idol , that will be interesting to watch

Thanks Big Davey

I've edited my post as I was getting confused with another show - but the main gist of it is the same!

From what i remember last year, they have 1 week the men sing and then two get voted off, the same with the girls until we have the final twelve.

American idol finalists were ok for me. I was expecting more from them.