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.
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.
With just under 100 million votes cast towards deciding this year's winner, American Idol pulled out all the stops for its two hour finale. And what a finale it was!
It's the last competition night of American Idol's eighth season and the competition couldn't be closer as the Final 2 take on three songs in their quest for the Idol title.
I remember when it was almost impossible to find me in front of a TV watching American Idol. I admit the auditions were hilarious, but to make fun of people who can't sing, didn't feel right in my soul.
A close race and visits home make the Top 3 American Idol results show a very emotional one. And with only a million votes separating the Final 2, you can bet that next week's finale will be an exciting one.
American Idol is down to its Top 3 and for its 300th episode each of the guys had to sing two songs – a choice of their own and one chosen by one of the judges. Hands down, the guys picked better songs than the judges.
After Tuesday's train wreck performance, I thought for sure that tonight's American Idol results show would be the end of the line for Danny Gokey. But apparently Danny's got some unbelievable luck or some devoted (although deaf) fans.
This week Guns N Roses' Slash joined American Idol's Top 4 for Rock Week. If the excitement of seeing the final four rock out wasn't enough, Idol added duets to the mix this week.
The biggest shock of the night as American Idol dwindled its numbers to four was not who got sent home, but who was in the Bottom 3. At this point, at least one person had to grace the stools for the first time, but this week we got two newbies.
This week American Idol is down to its Top 5, the same number of members in the Rat Pack. So it was fitting that we were treated to the sounds of the Rat Pack tonight.
Fox television this week faced an uncomfortable future when the two biggest stars on its No. 1-rated show "American Idol" openly discussed leaving, which experts said could send viewership plummeting in future seasons.
After 45 million votes, American Idol has dwindled down the finalists to five. After saving Matt Giraud last week, two contenders were sent home after less than stellar disco performances.
Paula Abdul said her contract is up this season on "American Idol," With the addition of Kara DioGuardi earlier this season, many of us suspected as much.
Last week, history was made when the American Idol judges used their save and sent no one home. But that means the fate of two are on the line this week. And disco definitely set apart the real contenders from those just hanging on.
The American Idol judges finally did it. They pulled out the save card and they used it. The good news is that Matt Giraud is staying for another week. The bad news is two contestants get eliminated next week.
This week American Idol partnered with Quentin Tarantino to take on the songs of cinema, where in lies the problem.
While American Idol's Top 8 go back in time with hits from their birth year, Allison Iraheta proves that boys haven't entirely wrapped up this contest.
This week's American Idol results shocker wasn't who was in the Bottom Three or even in who was sent home, but in how this contestant was sent home. Man, it was harsh, but well deserved.
As American Idol's Top 9 flaunt their version of popular iTune downloads, it was a couple of men behind the pianos that really stole the show tonight, proving that you could make an old song new again.
Tonight, the American Idol stage was seething with talent and I'm not talking about the Top 10 who awaited their fate. I'm talking about performances by the greats - Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder. It was a reminder that the Top 10 still have a long way to go.
American Idol this week might have been a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Motown, but for the contestants it was a chance to show what they could do with great music. And the guys really stepped up to the challenge this week with the some great, original performances.
To round out the full hour American Idol needs to give us the one name of the person being eliminated this week, we were treated to performances by three Grand Ole Opry members - Brad Paisley and a duet by Idol's own Carrie Underwood and guest mentor Randy Travis.
It's Grand Ole Opry Night on American Idol and that means Simon is going to be extra hard to please. We all know how little the Brit likes country music so it's a real test to see which of the Top 11 can impress him tonight.
Gossip blogger Janet Charlton reported Thursday about rumblings in the publishing world that a former "American Idol" employee is shopping around a tell-all book that could prove embarrassing to the show. See more irresistible headlines
American Idol Judges have destroyed Idol
The first elimination of American Idol's Top 13 saw the birth of a new rule and sent two hopefuls home after nearly 33 million votes. Now the field has narrowed to the traditional 11 contenders and the judges still have a save card they can play.