Carrie Underwood Joins American Idol as Judge for Season 23

Image credits: The Oklahoman

The latest season of American Idol is set to premiere on March 9, with a new judge joining the panel, none other than the show's own alum, Carrie Underwood. Underwood, who won the competition in 2005, will be replacing Katy Perry, who stepped down from the show last year. The new season will feature Underwood alongside returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, as they search for the next big singing sensation. The season premiere will kick off with auditions in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville, and will be available to stream on Hulu the next day.

Underwood's judging debut was previewed in a 30-minute sneak peek after the Oscar Awards, which showed her watching the first few auditions of the season in Nashville. The sneak peek also dove into Underwood's background on the show, highlighting her journey from contestant to judge. Underwood's commentary was insightful, and she showed a warm playfulness in her chemistry with both the contestants and her fellow judges. However, she was also noticeably more soft-spoken than her predecessor, Katy Perry.

The new season of American Idol will also feature a first-ever artist-in-residence, Grammy-nominated singer Jelly Roll, who will work closely with contestants to give them firsthand advice on how to navigate the competition. Ryan Seacrest will once again serve as the host of the show, which will air on Sunday nights on ABC. With Underwood on board, the show is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the judging panel, and fans are eagerly anticipating the new season. Underwood's music career has been highly successful, and her experience on the show will likely bring a unique insight to the judging process. The show will also feature a range of exciting performances, from talented contestants vying for a spot in the competition.

In addition to American Idol, there are several other exciting shows and movies premiering this season, including the new Disney+/Marvel series Daredevil: Born Again, starring Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, and the sci-fi comedy Mickey 17, directed by Bong Joon Ho and starring Robert Pattinson. The season will also see the return of several popular shows, including The Amazing Race and The Voice. With so many great options to choose from, fans of entertainment will have plenty to keep them busy in the coming weeks.

Some of the other notable releases this season include the movie The Rule of Jenny Pen, starring John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush, and the lifestyle series With Love, Meghan, starring the Duchess of Sussex. There will also be several new reality series premiering, including Denise Richards and Her Wild Things, and the documentary series Sin City Gigolo: A Murder in Las Vegas. With so many great shows and movies to choose from, it's shaping up to be an exciting season for fans of entertainment.