Could It Be Lucky Season 13 For American Idol ?

Well it's January, the holidays are over, there's a long winter ahead, but wait it's back !!!! It's the long awaited return of the New Season of American Idol.

This year marks Season 13 of Idol, and it's not just the judges panel that's been revamped (again), this season, there are a number of other changes put into effect to reboot the aging singing competition. One of newest innovations is a thing called The Chamber. Several crew members have nicknamed it the Sweat box. But to American Idol hopefuls, this new photo booth-size capsule is the first stop on their journey to fame and fortune. Host Ryan Seacrest ushers the singers into the cramped compartment — outfitted with three cameras — where they can practice, pray or collect their thoughts before stepping through the door to the adjacent room to audition for judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr.

After holding auditions in seven cities, the judges hand out 212 golden tickets, but that doesn't necessarily mean an automatic trip to Hollywood. In December, the judges and contestants reunited at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar for a new surprise round of eliminations that will air immediately before Hollywood Week.  (another new twist) 

The other notable change attempts to make over the middle section of the show — typically the lowest-rated — which, during the past few seasons, has included a post-Hollywood trip to Las Vegas that has now been dropped. Instead, the semifinalists will participate in an intense Rush Week, which is about trying to single out the [talented] kids as fast as possible.

It's clear Idol faces an uphill battle to regain its supremacy. The singing-competition marketplace is ever-expanding, and Idol will again air during the same season as the winter edition of NBC's hit The Voice.

If there's any pressure facing the judges, they aren't letting on. The new panel with Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, and Harry Connick Jr. seem to get along much better then previous panels especially last season's. American Idol premieres Wednesday and Thursday at 8pm on Fox.

On a side note it was announced today that Carrie Underwood topped the "Forbes List" of most successful American Idol contestants during the past year earning $31 million, Kelly Clarkson placed a distant 2nd with $7 million.

Here's a flashback to Season 4 and Carrie Underwood's Idol audition....enjoy !!!!