For the Love of God, NO!!!! Paula Abdul Signs on to X Factor
May 9, 20110 – Well, that’s it. I’m never watching X Factor. Paula Abdul has signed on, with old American Idol pal Simon Cowell, to be a judge on his new show.

Crazy Paula will join Cheryl Cole, Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Cowell as a judge on the show

Cowell said, “This show would never have been the same without Paula and I can’t believe I am saying this - I have missed her a lot, and I am thrilled she’s on the show."

Abdul said, "I am excited beyond words to be a part of The X Factor. I couldn't be happier to bring my love for cultivating talent and performance to such a wildly anticipated show. I'm looking forward to being back with the FOX/FremantleMedia family and know that it will be an extraordinary journey — we're going to have a blast. I'm also delighted and grateful to be sitting next to Simon again…but you might want to check back with me in a week or two!"

Despite Facelift American Idol Loses 13% of Its Viewers
January 21, 2010 – American Idol is not the king it once was. Even though 26.1 million viewers watched Wednesday’s 10th season premiere it was still down 13% from last years opening show. Last night’s New Orleans episode was a bigger drop with the show losing 18% in the key demo 18-49.

With all the hoopla surrounding new judges Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler it was a disappointing debut. Some critics slammed the new judges for being “too nice,” something Simon Cowell was not. In fact many agree that Cowell was the real star that emerged from the show. He left after last year to concentrate on his own show to be launched on Fox later this year.

Will American Idol pick up steam? Don’t count on it, though not entirely like movies, TV shows do share that important big kick at the beginning as the most important factor. TV, however, can come from behind and let’s also remember that the show was overwhelmingly the number one show of the week. – by John Beaudin

Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler Has Never Seen American Idol
November 14, 2010 – Steven Tyler may be a judge on American Idol but he's never seen the show. The Aerosmith frontman just admitted that he's actually never seen the show. He told FOX40 Sacramento’s Bethany Crouch that now that he's in the fold and living and breathing the show it's not what he expected.

Tyler told the reporter he was “doing other wild things” for the last 40 years and never really watched much TV.

As for up-and-coming musicians, Tyler said that his thoughts with stardom always involved performing in clubs but added, "Now there are no clubs for people to perform in." - by John Beaudin

Where's My Teeth? - American Idol Makes it Official Jennifer Lopez to Judge
September 22, 2010 – Oh boy, aren't we lucky! Another non-singer is going to be a judge on American Idol. Following in the heels of famous lip-syncher Paula Abdul comes someone with as much vocal prowess as Abe Vigoda gargling shoe polish, Jennifer Lopez, who I would love to hear sing a cappella, just to prove a point, has now officially joined on, along with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler.

So who will play the bad guy role that Simon Cowell left vacant? Well, even though both Tyler and Lopez have reputations riddled with drama it seems the hands-down winner has to be Lopez. Interestingly, the only way this can work is if J-Lo actually lives up to her bitch-potential. Have all the diva reports been wrong about her? I doubt it. I, frankly, find it hard to even look at her and don't get me started on her pretend music career. As the cliche goes, she's a entertainer not a singer. The girl has a paper-thin voice – she really can't sing! If Lopez wants to make this work on American Idol she has to be herself. So give them all hell J-Lo! When the dust settles however any judge on that show needs to recognize talent more than actually have it themselves. Like reading a classic novel, just because you appreciate great writing doesn't mean you can replicate it.

There will be other changes on Idol this year. Music legend Jimmy Iovine will now serve as in-house mentor instead of rotating A-list special guests. Iovine has produced the likes of U2, Tom Petty, Dire Straits, and in the seventies, worked with John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen.

Only 2% Separated the Final Two On Low-Rated American Idol Finale
May 28, 2010 – “What-eva” seems to be what many are saying about Wednesday’s American Idol finale. While 24.2 million viewers checked out Simon Cowell’s swan song it was the show’s lowest rated finale since season one which could spell trouble for winner Lee DeWyze.

Interestingly, runner-up Crystal Bowersox was heavily favored to win for the last 4-6 weeks but her popularity tumbled after a few bad performances and song choices.

Even Paula Abdul couldn’t help the ratings or maybe she hurt them. For the record, I’ve never thought that Paula’s absence hurt the ratings of the show this year. Rather it was probably her replacement, Ellen DeGeneres, with that “deer in front of a Peterbilt” blank stare that showed the world she was completely out of her element – kind of like Paula without the Gobbledygook chatter.

Where's My Teeth?: Paula Abdul Is Finally Leaving Idol? It’s Not a Done Deal Yet
August 13, 2009 – I wonder if Paula Abdul is really leaving American Idol. Since the beginning I have continually turned down the volume on Paul Abdul’s spaghetti-stringed gobble-dee-goop on American Idol. Whether fans were in denial of her obvious inebriated state or enjoying it, the whole thing got too crazy for me. I’m still waiting for the poor girl to run down Hollywood Boulevard naked holding a bible. I know it’s a guilty pleasure for us to watch craziness on the tube, why else would Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have become household names, but really how long can we watch something burn? Hugh Grant lived on the tracks in 1995, so did Rob Lowe in 1988 but their craziness, it seems, was temporary, Paula has continually rewired the English language and maybe her network, Fox, was dog tired of her false sense of positivity. Poor Paula took the old saying, “If you can’t say anything good, don’t say nothing at all” drove it, drunk, way past Dr. Sanity’s house in search hillbilly wisdom. Really, at least half of the time this woman sounded like Scooby-Doo reciting Shakespeare. Paula once said, “Constructive criticism is about finding something good and positive to soften the blow to the real critique of what really went on.” Well, that sounded mental and is it really a positive review when you’re too drunk or lost to recognize bad? More

Carly Smithson’s Evanescence Inspired project Could Face Legal Action Over Group Name
June 23, 2009 – It’s a great time for Carly Smithson. The former American Idol Top-12 member has just joined forces with three ex-members of Evanescence, guitarists Ben Moody and John LeCompt and drummer Rocky Gray – as well as bassist Marty O’Brien to form The Fallen. They are named after the biggest selling Evanescence album.

The problem is there’s already a band named The Fallen. They are from Philadelphia and formed in 2005. The line-up includes Gabe Horning, Mark Bolger, Dwight Sensenig, Troy Feuerstein and vocalist Audra McLaughlin. None of them are ex-American Idol’s or Evanescence members.

The original Fallen said this week, “We are truly sorry for the confusion that stemmed [Thursday] from an unexpected announcement from SKH Music.” – The Fallen. The band will continue to bring their music to the fans and perform as The Fallen.” They have issued a cease and desist notice to Smithson and her new band. More

American Idol’s Carly Smithson Forms The Fallen with ex-Evanescence Members
July 19, 2009 – After so many comparisons to Evanescence lead singer Amy Lee, American Idol’s Carly Smithson is finally going to replace her, sort of. The season 7 Top 12 finalist is joining up with 3 ex-members of the band including Ben Moody who was a huge force in Evanescence as lead guitarist and co-songwriter.

Also ex-members Rocky Gray and John Lecompt will be in the fold and new guy Marty O’ Brian.

Interestingly the new band is called The Fallen and Evanescence’s biggest album was 2003’s “Fallen.” It sold 15 million copies worldwide.

Though Evanescence is still a group it’s been racked by personal disagreements mostly between Lee and Moody. There was always mixed signals on whether Evanescence was a Christian band. Moody flipped-flopped on the issue a few times and in 2006 Lee said "Can we please skip the Christian thing? I'm so over it. It's the lamest thing. I fought that from the beginning; I never wanted to be associated with it. It was a Ben thing. It's over." More

David Archuleta's dad enters plea in prostitution case
June 19, 2009 – What the heck is going on with David Archuleta’s dad? He’s been accused of getting those “special massages” from a prostitute. You’ll remember James Jeffrey Archuleta as being the most famous “stage dad” in American Idol history. Last year (season 7) was filled with rumors that he made life miserable for the three judges and producers of the show by trying to control things behind the scenes but mostly for trying to control his runner-up son David.

Now he has pleaded no contest to patronizing a prostitute in a Salt Lake City suburb. According to court papers if the elder Archuleta, 47, avoids repeating the crime by the end of this month, the charge will be removed from his record.

He was cited on January 15th of this year at a massage parlour after the police were brought in investigating a complaint that half naked woman were working at the business. More

Adam Lambert Finally Admits to Being Gay
June 10, 2009 – Adam Lambert has finally admitted what everyone already knew – he’s gay. The American Idol runner-up told Rolling Stone magazine, "I don't think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear that I'm gay.” Lambert, whose debut album is coming out in the fall said, "I'm proud of my sexuality, I embrace it. It's just another part of me."

Some believe that the gay rumors cost Lambert the American Idol competition in May. He lost to Kris Allen, a “boy next door,” who was no where near Lambert’s vocal maturity.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, were very happy with Lambert’s decision to come out saying it hopes Lambert's "decision to live openly and honestly inspires gay people and opens the hearts and minds of his fans."

That’s a far cry from Clay Aiken, runner up in 2003 on Idol, who took five years to come out. More

Was the American Idol Vote Flawed
May 28, 2009 – Kris Allen detractors just got some ammunition. According to the New York Times AT&T may have influenced the outcome of the final vote on American Idol.

The company providing free text-messaging services at parties organized by fans of Kris Allen. So did it help him win? It didn’t hurt.

Reps from AT&T, who are corporate sponsor of the show, reportedly taught Allen fans how to "power text" at the parties. Power texting could have sent 10 votes or more in the time of the regular one vote.

Officials are looking into whether it violated American Idol rules. – by John Beaudin

Adam Lambert has Open Invitations from Kiss and Queen
May 28, 2009 – American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert seemed equally comfortable with both Kiss and Queen on the season finale last week. Turns out he has an open invitation to join up with both bands.

Brian May of Queen told Rolling Stone magazine, "(we) are definitely hoping to have a meaningful conversation with at some point. It's not like we, as Queen, would rush into coalescing with another singer just like that. It isn't that easy. But I'd certainly like to work with Adam. That is one amazing instrument he has there.”

How does Lambert feel about the invite? He said, "That's a tough question because, honestly, how do you say no to being in Queen? I mean, that's unbelievable. But at the same time, I do have my own thing to do right now, and that's my goal. So if I could, I would try to do both. That's the honest question. I would try to do both. I would love to perform with them anytime they wanted me to but I also have my record to do. So, we'll see." Read More

Kelly Clarkson Defends American Idol and Susan Boyle
May 27, 2009 – The very first American Idol is defending the mother camp. Kelly Clarkson doesn’t get all the hoo-hah about Idol contestants with previous professional experience. "I personally think if someone has been affiliated with the industry, who cares?” She told the Associated Press in Hong Kong this week. “That just means they've been working hard and trying to get in the door," Clarkson said. "Regardless, you're going to be an amateur talent. It's not like you've had a huge record deal and toured the world. It's not like they're going to be some huge threat."

The 27 year old is on a world wide promo tour to spread the word about her new album “All I Ever Wanted.”

Clarkson is still very much a fan of American Idol and catches the show whenever she can. More

Danny Gokey on Dancing with the Stars?
May 27, 2009 – It’s a common practice for reality stars to cross-pollinate from one show to another. After all, the Bachelor’s Melissa Rycroft took one step from that show to Dancing with the Stars and it worked out pretty good for her. She made it to the finals.

So if she can do it maybe Danny Gokey can as well?

Gokey is back in his hometown of Milwaukee and finally has a chance to breath, kind of. The 29 year old former church Music Director says he’d love to try out for Dancing with the Stars. Remember how Simon bugged the poor guy about his moves? Gokey said maybe he could redeem himself on the dance show. More

Who Will Have Stronger Career Kris Allen, Adam Lambert or Danny Gokey?    
May 26, 2009 – Up until the finale of this year’s American Idol I had a renewed faith that the show was a singing competition again but Adam Lambert, clearly the better singer did not win. Though his Goth looks threw me off at times and that “cat on your back” show-off wail reminded me of why Celine Dion and I do not mix. I was still always waiting to see what treatment he would give a song.

I enjoyed Danny Gokey, for similar reasons, he had an amazing voice and presence. The Milwaukee choir leader lost his wife a month before his Idol audition and he came locked and loaded with a heaping, helping of Al Green’s soul but he didn’t win either.

Kris Allen was the champ on last Wednesday’s season 8 finale. Hell, even he was surprised. It made for the biggest upset in the show’s history. More

Clay Aiken Says “I’m the Only Gay in the Village”
May 23, 2009 – Fan of the kooky British series “Little Britain” will love this catfight. First Clay Aiken trashed American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert on his website and now he’s taking it all back. So is Aiken jealous, petty, and trying to get some headlines or does he just want to be the Only Gay in the idol village?

Last week Clay called Lambert’s cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of fire” "contrived," "awful" and "slightly frightening” but now, after tons of backlash he says he’s really sorry and hopes Lambert can forgive him. He also feared that Lambert probably doesn’t care what he said in the first place.

Internet sites have been having fun with this one considering Clay is gay like a lark and Lambert has all but been outed as being gay. Crazy cliché’s aside, who says they have to get a long. Maybe this little clip below will explain everything.

It could have been a very timely step forward if Lambert had won Idol considering all the fuss around Miss California. – by John Beaudin

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