Idol Chatter & Voice Views

American Idol has typically held a red carpet premiere to show off the first episode of the season.

But I can’t recall fans across the nation being invited to participate.

That’s what’s happening next week in an apparent attempt to generate more buzz about Season 12.

The premiere will be shown at 7 p.m. (EST) Wednesday at UCLA’s Royce Hall, but it will also be uplinked via television satellite to 10 other cities throughout the country.

For instance, fans in the Philly and Washington, D.C., area will be able to travel to a designated site and watch the show.

Afterward, they’ll also be able to participate in a live Q&A moderated by Idol host Ryan Seacrest.

Who will be answering the questions?

The new judging panel, of course — Randy Jackson, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj.

This is a curious experiment. Theoretically, thousands of fans could have seen the premiere before it ever airs.

For those of us who can wait — I intend to be among that number — the episode will air the old fashioned way on Wednesday, Jan. 16, from 8 to 10 p.m. on FOX. Idol will follow up with a second two-hour episode on Thursday at 8 p.m.

But even if you don’t travel to the premiere event, you can apparently watch the Q&A with the judges on americanidol.com or livestream.com.

The D.C. premiere event will be held at the AMC Hoffman Center 22, 206 Swamp Fox Road in Alexandria, Va.

The Philly premiere event will be held at AMC Plymouth 12, 494 Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, Pa.

If you’re interested in attending, RSVP to www.idolrsvp.com.

Premiere events are also planned in New York, Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Nasvhille. Head here for details on those locations.