Fox announces 'American Idol' start date

The announcement may not have the same impact as it did a few years ago but Fox is still rolling out the early warning sign to drum up anticipation: American Idol will bow over two nights on Jan. 16-17. Also premiering with the talent show will be the new panel of judges — Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban — who will join Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest on the show’s 12th (!) season.

Fox also has a new and returning drama to trot out after the first of the year. The creator of The Vampire Diaries and the Scream franchise will play in the world of serial killers in The Following. (See the trailer below). Premiering Jan. 21, it stars Kevin Bacon as an ex-FBI agent and Purefoy as a creepy (but uncomfortably sexy) mass murderer.

Meanwhile, season two of Touch starring Kiefer Sutherland returns on Friday, Feb. 1. Joining the cast this year are Maria Bello (ER) and Lukas Haas (24).