Filling Lena’s shoes won’t be easy. But Germany is breathing deep and gearing up for  Unser Star für Baku—the eight-part national selection contest for Eurovision.

The series kicks off on January 12 with five elimination rounds. That will be followed by a quarterfinal, a semi-final and a grand final that airs on February 16. Pro7 will air the elimination rounds and semi-final live at 20:15 CET. The quarterfinal and grand finale will show on Das Erste.

Twenty contestants will battle it out through song. They’ll be introduced (and skewered) by hosts Sandra Reis and Steven Gatjen. Thomas D—rapper in the German hip-hop group Die Fantastischen Vier (The Fantastic Four)—will preside over the jury. Which begs the question: will Germany be sending someone ghetto fabulous to Baku? Watch this video of Thomas D and let us know what you think….

Here’s the complete schedule for Unser Star Fur Baku 2012:

Thursday 12 JanuaryProSieben 20.15 CET (elimination show)

Thursday 19 January ProSieben 20.15 CET (elimination show)

Thursday 26 January ProSieben 20.15 CET (elimination show)

Thursday 2 February ProSieben 20.15 CET (elimination show)

Monday 6 February ProSieben 20.15 CET (elimination show)

Thursday 9 February Das Erste 20.15 CET (quarterfinals)

Monday 13 February ProSieben 20.15 CET(semi-final)

Thursday 16 February Das Erste 20.15 CET (grand final)