The singing competition, which will return to FOX in January, will complete its search for potential finalists and horrifically bad singers to make fun of in the opening episodes with open auditions in Greensboro, N.C., and Las Vegas.

The North Carolina auditions are set for Monday, Oct. 3 at the Greensboro Coliseum. The show will roll into Sin City a week later for tryouts at the Las Vegas Convention Center. As with last year, "American Idol" is open to people between the ages of 16 and 28; details are available at idolonfox.com.