You’ve been waiting two years for it to come back; it only makes sense that the last few hours are agonizing. So, what time does American Idol season 16 episode 1 start?
We know you’re itching for your first glimpse at all the contestants who could turn out to be the next Kelly Clarkson, but we’re getting there. To get you even more excited — and, we suppose, make the wait even longer — here’s what you should expect from the reboot of the singing competition.
What will happen during American Idol season 16 episode 1?
American Idol season 16 episode 1, the season premiere, and episode 2, which airs the following night, are both audition episodes. So even though some of the singers might win you over with their personal style or charm, they’re not all going to make it to the meat of the competition.
And, in case you’re wondering, they’re going to be handling audition clips different when American Idol returns. The showrunner revealed at a press event for the upcoming season that bad auditions will be aired less, and competitors will be dismissed without Simon Cowell snark.
Don’t know quite what that looks like? Check out a sneak peek from American Idol season 16 episode 1 below for a warm-and-fuzzy exchange between 18-year-old contestant Noah Davis from Royal, Arkansas and judge Katy Perry:
What time does American Idol season 16 episode 1 start and end?
We don’t want you asking what time does American Idol season 16 episode 1 start 20 minutes into the action and auditions, so mark your calendar, set an alert on your phone, whatever you need to do remember. The season kicks off tonight, Sunday, March 11 at 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC.
The second episode of the season, which also features auditions, will air at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 12. Both of the episodes will span two hours, wrapping up at 10:00 p.m. EST.
