Ryan Seacrest welcomes Boston auditioners as they arrive for their chance to become the next AMERICAN IDOL Photo

From: Photo Flash: 'IDOL' Photo Recap - Boston & Atlanta Auditions

Despite the recent announcement that Simon Cowell would be spending his last season in the judges seat on this season's American Idol, and a noticeably absent Paula Abdul, the program came out of the box on top, being the #1 rated program for it's premiere on Tuesday, January 12. The night with 29.9 million viewers.