It’s only been a month or so since Jordin Sparks won American Idol, but the talent show’s producers are already gearing up for its next season. Auditions start next month, and aspiring Idols who live in areas of the country that can be described using the word “South” are in luck:

July 30, San Diego (Qualcomm Stadium)
Aug. 6, Dallas (Texas Stadium)
Aug. 10, Omaha (Qwest Center)
Aug. 14, Atlanta (Georgia Dome)
Aug. 18, Charleston, S.C. (North Charleston Coliseum)
Aug. 22, Miami (AmericanAirlines Arena)
Aug. 27, Philadelphia (Wachovia Center)

We’re expecting a lot of Gloria Estefan warbling in Miami (Haley Scarnato, this is your now!), but the episode we’re really looking forward to is the one covering the Philadelphia auditions, if only because we can’t wait to see how many people who are expecting to bomb will be dressed up like Santa Claus, so as to ensure extra derision from people in the crowd.

Calling all ‘American Idol’ wannabes [USA Today]