Carrie Underwood Back on American Idol And Better Than EverCarrie Underwood Back on American Idol And Better Than EverAmerican Idol is set to return with an all new season on January 26, and fan fave Carrie Underwood will be back as a judge. American Idol Returns With A New SeasonSeason 23 was Carrie’s debut as an American Idol judge and she’ll be back this week for a second season, alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Ritchie. Carrie Underwood and the rest of the American Idol judges are busy doing the press rounds as the premiere inches closer. But, Underwood quickly put her doubters to rest and proved she was exactly the breath of fresh air that American Idol needed. American Idol Season 24 is set to premiere on Monday January 26 on ABC.