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Justin Guarini: From American Idol to Idol Tonight
2007-05-29 16:59:00
by Ed Martin "You never get disconnected from American Idol , and anybody who wants to be disconnected from it -- especially anybody who made it to the finals -- I don't see the sense in that, you know?" That's how Season One runner-up Justin Guarini feels about the show that made him a household name back in 2002. "It's an amazing show," he says. "Every single year it dominates the ratings. Every single year all of us, no matter where we finished, get some sort of boost in our work from it." Click here to read the rest of Justin Guarini: From American Idol to Idol Tonight

American Idol Gossip: Big Bird, "Bush Baby" and a Crabby Top Ten Veteran
2007-05-29 16:58:00
by Ed Martin While Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis were busy doing three hours of interviews after the American Idol season finale, and while the rest of the finalists were living it up several miles away at the super-exclusive, no-press-allowed Idol post-party at the Skybar on Sunset Blvd., the winners of the 2nd Annual Golden Idol Awards were having the time of their lives at the official finale party that Fox hosts every year at The Highlands nightclub, located next door to the Kodak Theatre in the Hollywood & Highland entertainment complex. Click here to read the rest of American Idol Gossip : Big Bird, "Bush Baby " and a Crabby Top Ten Veteran

American Idol, Season 6: "We've Only Just Begun"
2007-05-29 16:57:00
by Nina Spezzaferro The competition has ended and Jordin was crowned the winner but as Clive Davis' speech reminds us, the winner does not always take all. Davis rather glibly reminded us that Taylor Hicks has had lackluster success compared to fellow season 5 alums, Chris Daughtry and Katherine McPhee. In fact, in recent years it seems almost a curse to become the number one American Idol . A recent Fortune article stated that since Carrie Underwood, the winners' album sales have been on the decline. Click here to read the rest of American Idol, Season 6: "We've Only Just Begun"
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American Idol Jordin Sparks on School, Blake and Her Unusual First Album
2007-05-24 18:54:00
by Ed Martin When you think about it, Jordin Spark s is the first American Idol winner to come off the show with a completed album. That's because the finalists' songs each week were made available for downloading, and fans who downloaded and saved all of her Idol tunes in effect now possess a full album's worth of her music. Interestingly, the newest Idol champion hasn't assembled such an album herself. "I never downloaded [my songs]," Jordin admitted with a smile shortly after her victory on last night's season finale. "I couldn't do it! Maybe I should now. I did listen to them when other people downloaded them. I didn't want to do it myself, but it was really cool. Click here to read the rest of American Idol Jordin Sparks on School , Blake and Her Unusual First Album

Blake Lewis on Beat-Boxing, Losing to Jordin Sparks and the American Idol S
2007-05-24 18:52:00
by Ed Martin How does Blake Lewis feel about losing to Jordin Sparks on American Idol ? "I feel great!" Blake cheered shortly after the end of the show. "I picked Jordin from the Top 24 as the American Idol winner and I was right. I was going to try to wear a Vote for Jordin Sparks T-shirt [on the Tuesday show] but they wouldn't let me do it." Click here to read the rest of Blake Lewis on Beat-Boxing , Losing to Jordin Sparks and the American Idol Summer Tour

American Idol Finale Frenzy
2007-05-24 18:51:00
by Ed Martin "Have a good Idol !" my Starbucks barista says with a smile. You hear it everywhere you go at the Hollywood and Highland entertainment complex in Los Angeles, home of the Kodak Theatre and the setting for the annual extravaganza that is the American Idol finale. Click here to read the rest of American Idol Finale Frenzy

American Idol Finale - Blake vs. Jordin
2007-05-23 17:50:00
by Libby Pelham Tonight is the night many people have waited months for - the American Idol finale. I get more viewing enjoyment out of the auditions and earlier part of the season. Once the contestants make it to the final 12, you have to figure that most of them have a good chance at getting a record deal. After all, last season alone, not only did the two finalists put out albums (Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee), but so did the third place finisher (Elliott Yamin), fourth place finisher (Chris Daughtry), fifth place finisher (Paris Bennett), sixth place finisher (Kellie Pickler), and eighth place finisher (Bucky Covington). Even David Radford, who went out in eighteenth place, and Patrick Hall, who went out in twenty-first place, put out LPs. So just making it to the top 24 gives you a shot at a recording deal. Click here to read the rest of American Idol Finale - Blak e vs. Jordin

Jordin and Blake are in the American Idol Finals
2007-05-17 23:46:00
by Libby Pelham You know, last year, when it came down to Elliott, Taylor, and Katherine, I really thought Elliott deserved to be in the finals. But, when he was sent home, I kinda understood. This year, the best singer the entire season was sent home in third place. After a very long, drawn out results show (although it was great to see Elliott - his CD is awesome!), Ryan called Jordin out. I thought "How odd. I would have called Melinda out first to keep a little suspense going." I mean it seemed anticlimactic. I was THAT sure that Melinda would make it to the finals. I would have bet money on it. Name ONE bad performance Melinda had. You can't because she didn't have a bad night. Click here to read the rest of Jordin and Blake are in the American Idol Finals
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American Idol: Now It's All About the Sparks
2007-05-17 22:48:00
by Elaine Liner There might be one more spark of excitement left in this show yet. Make that Spark s. With Melinda "Shoo-in" Doolittle eliminated in the semi-finals of American Idol , we're left with the easiest choice between two singers the show has ever had. Click here to read the rest of American Idol: Now It's All About the Sparks
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Lakisha Voted Off
2007-05-10 17:19:00
by Nina Spezzaferro Faithful Idol fans had a feeling about the top 3. It was almost obvious before the top 4 even performed that Lakisha was on the chopping block. This week was shaky for all the contestants, even the invincible Jordin. Though Lakisha performed well each week, she lacked the spunk and originality that the top 3 possess so it was no surprise when she was sent packing. Sadly, there hasn't been a shocking results night since the days of Sanjaya. Click here to read the rest of Lakisha Voted Off
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American Idol: Let Simon Speak!
2007-05-09 17:36:00
by Elaine Liner This show desperately needs another set of call-in numbers. Not for voting on the singers--another one of whom gets the "Going Home" send-off tonight--but for voting on the judges. Calling in would let us, the 30 million viewers of Fox's American Idol , decide which judge we'd like to get the most airtime. And the winner would be...Simon Cowell. Click here to read the rest of American Idol: Let Simon Speak !

American Idol: Farewell to Phil & Chris
2007-05-03 19:56:00
by Nina Spezzaferro There were no shocking reveals during tonight's Idol results show. Phil and Chris were sent home, leaving Blake, Lakisha, Melinda and Jordin in the top 4. Jordin was spared anxiety when Ryan told her to sit down immediately, saying that he'd already tortured her enough during last week's results show. Not many tears were shed as it seemed clear leading up to tonight that both Phil and Chris' days on Idol were numbered. A heartbroken Blake found comfort in the fact that he and best bud, Chris, would perform together on the Idols tour this summer. Click here to read the rest of American Idol : Farewell to Phil & Chris

Bon Jovi visits Idol
2007-05-02 17:22:00
by Nina Spezzaferro Last week contestants and American Idol fans alike were relieved when it was revealed that no one was going home. However, two hopefuls will be sent packing after tomorrow's results show. My bet is on Phil and Chris. The theme was Bon Jovi songs and for many of the idols, classic rock would be the most challenging genre to date though even some of the sub-par performances were pretty darn good. Click here to read the rest of Bon Jovi visits Idol
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American Idol: Bait and Switch on Charity Show
2007-04-26 20:13:00
by Elaine Liner Raising money for charities dedicated to helping the poor, sick and downtrodden in Africa and the USA is a good thing. Lying to viewers while doing it is not. This week's American Idol : Idol Gives Back special was an awkward combination of telethon and talent show. The two-hour episode Wednesday night both gaveth and tooketh away. Between the endless and mostly pointless drop-ins by celebrities such as Jack Black, Seal and Celine Dion, and the clips of Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell hiking over mountains of garbage in parts of Africa they never clearly identified, Seacrest kept hinting slyly that the voting this week would lead to a "shocking" result. Click here to read the rest of American Idol: Bait and Switch on Charity Show

American Idol Carrie Underwood Rocks the CMT Awards
2007-04-19 18:32:00
by Ed Martin Nashville, TN -- It's official: The best place to find former American Idol finalists is here in Nashville, and the best event to see them at is the annual CMT Music Award s , still the most exciting awards show on television, as Monday night's presentation at the Curb Event Center at Belmont University made clear. While the crowd of fans clustered in pockets along the red carpet cheered at the arrivals of such country superstars as Gretchen Wilson, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Kris Kristofferson, Jennifer Nettles and Rascal Flatts, they darn near exploded at the sight of American Idol Season Four winner Carrie Underwood . Click here to read the rest of American Idol Carrie Underwood Rocks the CMT Awards

American Idol: Latin Sound
2007-04-12 00:46:00
by Libby Pelham I like Latin music, so I was excited about this week's American Idol . Then suddenly, the contestants starting singing and every thing fell flat for me. No one wowed me this week except Blake and Sanjaya. Of course, it was for two completely different reasons. Click here to read the rest of American Idol: Latin Sound

Welcome to the Universe of Sanjaya!
2007-04-05 19:13:00
by Libby Pelham If this sounds like your idea of a nightmare, just read a bit more of my blog. The other day, I blogged about Howard Stern saying he would take American Idol down by encouraging people to vote for Sanjaya . Before his statement, the original ideal to vote for the worst idol may have originated at the web site http://www.votefortheworst.com. I mean, let's face it, Sanjaya isn't the only bad singer to ever appear on Idol. I remember his audition - cute, young kid, worried about the judges telling him he was better than his sister was. When he was given the golden ticket after she was turned down, he was very gentle with her. When she asked if they said who the better singer was, he said no to spare her hurt feelings. He has great 70s hair and a winning smile. And, I thought during the audition, he wasn't half bad. In fact, he was one of my early on favorites. Click here to read the rest of Welcome to the Univ erse of Sanjaya!
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On Idol, "The Idea is Longevity"
2007-04-04 18:27:00
by Nina Spezzaferro Tony Bennett proclaimed at the beginning of this week's Idol that the songs the contestants were about to perform were "the best songs that were ever written in America... the whole idea is longevity." I suppose that with a 50-year career in the music industry, Tony Bennett knows a thing or two about longevity. It's his own signature style that has kept his own career vibrant and fresh. Each week, Idol contestants strive to gain longevity in the competition by developing their own signature style with new and exciting twists (a la Sanjaya's 'hawk). Therefore, it seemed strange that Bennett didn't embrace novelty and encourage the contestants to put their own spin on classic songs as Diana Ross, Lulu and Peter Noone have in weeks past. Click here to read the rest of On Idol, "The Idea is Long evity "

Howard Stern Says He Will Ruin American Idol
2007-04-03 19:00:00
by Libby Pelham Remember when Howard Stern was edgy? Yeah, I don't either. Today, I was reading AOL news and guess what - Howard has said he will kill American Idol by encouraging people to vote for Sanjaya Malakar. Wait, did I just go back in time? Hasn't Votefortheworst.com been doing this for weeks now? Is Stern really trying to take credit for this? Next thing you know, he will say he planted the crying girl in the crowd! Click here to read the rest of Howard Stern Says He Will Ruin American Idol

American Idol and the Sanjaya Syndrome
2007-04-03 18:26:00
by Ed Martin Okay, everybody. Take a deep breath and relax. Sanjaya Malakar's breathtakingly bad singing is not going to bring about the end of the world as we know it, or even the end of American Idol . Click here to read the rest of American Idol and the Sanjaya Syndrome

A Hair Raising Week on American Idol
2007-03-29 17:34:00
by Nina Spezzaferro Before Idol's top 10 even performed this week, I had a feeling about Chris Sligh and tonight my instincts materialized. Phil and Haley joined Chris Sligh in the bottom three. It seems likely that Haley will be the next to go home since she's landed herself in the bottom three several times this season. Click here to read the rest of A Hair Raising Week on American Idol
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The Cult of Sanjaya
2007-03-28 18:48:00
by Libby Pelham What is it that is making Sanjay a Malakar THE talk of the town? Whether they love him or hate him, everyone is talking about Sanjaya. I really liked him when he first auditioned. His "aw shucks" attitude and kind smile immediately drew me in. And, it appeared that he could sing as well. Now, I am just almost speechless every time I see him and yet, I still vote. Click here to read the rest of The Cult of Sanjaya
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Malakar Mania?
2007-03-27 19:12:00
by Nina Spezzaferro They're calling it Mala kar Mania which is really just codespeak for "How on earth is Sanjaya STILL on American Idol?" Simon has even voiced his disapproval, saying that if Sanjaya wins, he will never participate in American Idol again. He was cute and endearing and certainly belonged in the top 24 but top 10?!?! No way! Click here to read the rest of Malakar Mania?

The Second Coming of the British Invasion
2007-03-21 16:41:00
by Libby Pelham Well, the Idols finally performed like Idols last night - for the most part. It was the second coming of the British Invasion . I loved most of the songs they chose, but was a little shocked that two Zombies songs were chosen out of eleven contestants. As far as I know, the Zombies pretty much only had those two hits ("Time of the Season" and "She's Not There"). Click here to read the rest of The Second Coming of the British Invasion
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American Idol Producers get "Corkscrewed"
2007-03-19 15:56:00
by Elaine Liner If you think the life of a hotshot television producer is all wine, women and song, well, two out of three ain't bad for American Idol producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick. With the mega-hit Fox show, they've got the songs and with their new vineyard--bought with $6 million worth of earnings from their various reality hits--they've got the wine. And a barrelful of headaches. Click here to read the rest of American Idol Producers get "Cork screwed"
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American Idol: Top Twelve?
2007-03-14 16:32:00
by Libby Pelham Okay, someone help me out here. I only started watching AI last season, so was it just an exceptionally good season? I just wonder because this year is just...strange. Last night, three singers forget the words to their songs! I know it is hard being on the big stage, but still - three people? Click here to read the rest of American Idol : Top Twelve ?

American Idol: Kids, learn some lessons from TV
2007-03-10 23:37:00
by Elaine Liner You'd think that as much TV as they've watched in their young lives, including half a dozen years of the show they're currently on, the kids on American Idol would know how to act when the camera's pointed at them. Like, act. Like, be interesting. Click here to read the rest of American Idol: Kids , learn some lessons from TV
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