The dreaded much anticipated return of American Idol is finally here. Hooray. (I hope the sarcasm is evident.)

In it’s ninth season, the wildly popular FOX series begins its quest to find the most talented singers in the nation and bring them together, on one stage, to compete for the coveted title…The American Idol. The two-night, four hour premiere holds auditions in Boston and Atlanta. But don’t expect to see Ellen DeGeneres. She won’t join the judging platform until February, when the tryouts are over and the real fun begins. (Again, I hope the sarcasm is evident.)

Simon, Randy and Kara DioGuardi will however be joined a slew of celebrity guest judges including Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Joe Jonas, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry and Shania Twain.

This ninth season does hold some excitement, along with the addition of Ellen and the absence of Paula, Simon Cowell has recently announced his departure from the show. Simon will finish out this season and then move onto a new venture, The X Factor.