/ Source: The Associated Press
"American Idol" will kick off its ninth year with a two-night season premiere in January.
Fox announced Tuesday that the hit singing contest, which last year produced a battle between winner Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert, will return Tuesday, Jan. 12, and Wednesday, Jan. 13.
This year's big change: Paula Abdul is out as judge and Ellen DeGeneres is in.
Fox also announced that the drama "24" will return with a pair of two-hour episodes airing Jan. 17 and 18, and that "Glee" will take a break after its Dec. 9 episode, returning April 13 to follow "American Idol."
Before that, the coveted post-"Idol" spot will go "Our Little Genius," a new series that tests the knowledge of gifted children and debuts Jan. 13.