American Idol (season 9) American Idol (season 9) The ninth season of "American Idol" premiered on January 12, 2010 and concluded on May 26, 2010 on Fox. Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi returned to the judging panel. Ellen DeGeneres joined the panel as a replacement for Paula Abdul after guest judges filled in during the auditions. Idol Gives Back also returned for the season and was held on April 21, 2010, during the top seven results show. The top 24 semi-finals format used in the fourth through seventh seasons also returned this season. Cowell, DioGuardi and DeGeneres all left the show after
American Idol placed second overall amongst the 18–49 age group. The finale night when Ruben Studdard won over Clay Aiken was also the highest-rated ever "American Idol" episode at 38.1 million for the final hour. By the third season, the show had become the top show in the 18–49 demographic<ref name="realitytvworld_5/24/2007"></ref> a position it has held for all subsequent years up to and including the tenth season, and its competition stages ranked first in the nationwide overall ratings. By the fourth season, "American Idol" had become the most watched series amongst all viewers on American TV for the first time, with an