Up until, now it’s been mostly easy to argue for “American Idol’s” place in the zeitgeist, given its steady ratings, solid track record and ability to draw some of the music industry’s biggest acts.
After inspiring threats of physical violence and accusations of poor taste, actor Alec Baldwin is eager to put his bridal blunder behind him. On Wednesday, the actor issued an apology for joking that he might expand his family by “getting a Filipino mail-order bride ... or a Russian one” during an appearance on “The Late Show.”
So much for that Adam Lambert-Danny Gokey final that Paula Abdul predicted months ago.
Flash back to last season's "American Idol" finale, the duel of the Davids, and Simon Cowell's confident proclamation.
Paula Abdul has told a magazine that she overcame a 12-year addiction to painkillers last year. The "American Idol" judge tells Ladies Home Journal in its June issue that she checked into a resort and spa in Carlsbad, Calif., where she weaned herself off her medications last Thanksgiving.
Paula Abdul maintains that she’s never been drunk, but she does admit that she can “get weird.”
The "American Idol" finalists channel their inner rock stars. The result? Some shine. Some stumble.
The theme of the week on “American Idol” was Rat Pack standards, with the singers trying to croon their way to the final four. Sadly for the show’s entertainment value, this did not come with the typical Vegas two-drink minimums for the judges and host Ryan Seacrest.
The great muzzle-the-judges experiment is over on “American Idol.” Unfortunately, disco night didn’t follow that into the dustbin of pop culture history.
Paula Abdul stopped just short of declaring Adam Lambert the future winner of "American Idol."
Paula Abdul said her contract is up this season on "American Idol," and that no one can ever replace her.
When Matt Giraud finally gets sent home from “American Idol,” he won’t be able to say he didn’t get every chance in the world to stick around.
“American Idol” took on the big screen on Tuesday, under the watchful gaze of Quentin Tarantino. Because nothing says “musical genius” like the director of “Pulp Fiction” and the “Kill Bill” movies.
The judges gave the remaining “American Idol” finalists a lot of rope this week, allowing them to sing any top iTunes download. That freedom proved to be a mixed blessing, as Tuesday brought some brutal song choices and bizarre looks.
For $45 million a year, you'd think Simon Cowell could at least look interested for three hours a week while he judges "American Idol."
You know what the judges say every week on “American Idol,” but do you know what their critiques really mean? “Idol” has developed its own lexicon, where up can be down, bad can be good, and Paula Abdul can be considered coherent. Here, we present a guide to some of the expressions you’ll hear most often, and what they really mean.
So much for about “American Idol” already being decided.
A new rule revealed Wednesday gives the “American Idol” judges the power to save one singer voted off by the fans, but that wasn’t enough to keep the first two finalists from getting the boot. Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez were sent home, reducing the number of contestants to 11.
If “American Idol’s” resident grump, Simon Cowell, gets his way, he could go on nitpicking problem performances long after Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi join the dearly departed.
Changes abound on “American Idol.” Because there are 36 semifinalists instead of 24 this season, only the top three vote-getters of each of three semifinal rounds advance. The other nine either go home or wait for the wild-card round that decides the last three spots.
The first of "Idol's" Hollywood episodes this season focused on the first two days at the Kodak Theatre, where the field of contestants was cut from 147 to 104. Most of the hour was spent on those who made it through to Wednesday's group sing. The meek who accepted their fate quietly did not inherit much of "Idol's" precious airtime.
Of all the changes announced for the eighth season of "American Idol," perhaps none was more hotly debated ahead of time than the addition of songwriter Kara DioGuardi as a fourth judge.
A coroner in Los Angeles has found that an "American Idol" hopeful found dead outside Paula Abdul's home committed suicide with prescription drugs. Assistant Chief of Coroner Ed Winter says Paula Goodspeed died in November after of a prescription drug overdose. The report didn't specify which drugs.
Was it really only 8 months ago that David Cook was crowned King of the World, or, at least, American Idol 2008? It was, and now a whole new crop of hopefuls, from the divine to the desperate, will blast into the spotlight when the new season of begins. New this year: Fourth judge Kara DioGuardi, 36 instead of 24 semifinalists, the return of the wild-card round, and no Thursday episodes. And, of course, endless rumors about whether or not Paula Abdul is leaving the show. (Jan. 13, 8 p.m., Fox)
When “American Idol” executive producer Ken Warwick held a conference call with the press earlier in the week, he spent much of it reiterating that he wanted Paula Abdul to stay on the show.