American Idol Returns for 11th Season Tonight on FOX

The original returns tonight at 7 p.m. on Fox -- American Idol.  Since its debut 10 years ago, the show has produced some amazing talent, including artists Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, David Cook, Kris Allen and most recently, Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery.  The search begins to find the next American Idol tonight on Fox.  Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler have a huge task ahead of them to find the one, the one voice that will ultimately win a record deal out of millions who are and have been auditioning for the show.

"I've been hearing more, 'I can't wait for American Idol to come back this next season' than I've heard in two or three years," Idol host Ryan Seacrest told ABC News Radio.

It could be because many were let down over the summer with X-Factor or the singing competition shows on NBC, The Voice and The Sing Off.

"Success or failure of the season hangs solely on how good the singers are, and if they manage to get that right collection of people together to make that magic happen," TV critic Michael Slezak says.

I don't know about you, but I start watching Idol during the audition process and then slack off following it until they get down to the top 12 and pick it up again. I hope they can find the likes of another Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood this year.

What is your favorite part about watching American Idol -- the audition rounds or the competition rounds?