We’re definitely not in Kansas anymore: American Idol decided to change things up with the way it markets the new season by having judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Ryan Seacrest take a trip down the proverbial Yellow Brick Road to kick off the 22nd season.
Excuse us, we mean the Golden Ticket Road.
In this newest promo for the show’s Feb. 18 return, Perry dons a Dorothy-like outfit as a narrator says “once upon a time, four superstars went on a long journey far from home.” Seacrest then invites them to walk down the Golden Ticket Road to search for the “best singers in America.” They walk by Burleson, TX — hometown of season one winner Kelly Clarkson — along with Checotah, Okla, Carrie Underwood’s place of birth, among others.
“What an incredible journey,” says Richie. “I can see brighter things ahead.”
Once they reach Hollywood, it’s Seacrest who utters the predictable line, “somewhere over the rainbow, a star will be born.”
Auditions kicked off in the fall for the 22nd season. The show is produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, a part of Sony Pictures Television. Executive producers include Megan Wolflick, also serving as showrunner, and Fremantle’s Jennifer Mullin with Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman serving as executive producers for 19 Entertainment. Fremantle distributes the series worldwide.