American Idol Archives - Page 8 of 16

Ellen Makes Her Debut on American Idol

February 9, 2010 Ruth Boulet

by Ruth Anne Boulet Welcome back, American Idol fans. I haven’t been blogging this season, but now that Ellen is making her debut, I have to weigh in. Let me start by saying I like Ellen. I remember going to a house party when she came out on her sitcom. However, I wasn’t thrilled when she was selected as the new judge on American Idol. I want actual singing critiques, not wisecracks. I don’t want to see her do her little dance or crack one-liners. I’m hoping she’s got something to say about how people sing. So we’ve got 181 […]

TCA: Simon Cowell leaving “American Idol” after this season

January 11, 2010 StayTuned Staff

By Stacey Harrison PASADENA, Calif. — Making a surprise appearance during the Television Critics Association panel on Monday, Simon Cowell announced that he was leaving American Idol after this season to ready the launch of another talent show, The X Factor, which will premiere on the network in 2011. Cowell has long been trying to get X Factor on the air in the U.S., and he signed the deal on stage with FOX execs Kevin Reilly and Peter Rice next to him, “so that there can be no more speculation,” said Rice, chairman of entertainment for FOX Broadcasting. Reilly, president […]

Randy Jackson talks “Idol,” Ellen, Paula and what it takes to win

January 8, 2010 Lori Acken

By Lori Acken Here’s what Randy Jackson thinks you should know about American Idol’s ninth season, which bows with a two-hour premiere this Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 8pm on FOX. • It’s gonna be a good one: “Interesting, wild, crazy … .” And thanks to the series’ new judge, longtime Jackson pal and fellow Louisiana native Ellen DeGeneres, really really funny. • If you think Ellen has nothing to bring to the AI judges table, you’re wrong: “We’re going to have a lot of laughs,” Jackson told reporters during a conference call on Friday. “Welcoming Ellen to the fold is […]

“American Idol” fans can share their voices online

December 14, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

From FOX: What is your all-time favorite Idol moment? Who is your favorite Idol? Who is your favorite judge? What has you most excited for the return of American Idol? American Idol fans, now is your chance to sing the praises of Idol by creating a video testimonial and uploading it to fox.com/idolfans. FOX is inviting Idol fans 18 years of age and older to submit video testimonials sharing what they love about American Idol, to be evaluated for possible inclusion in an American Idol promotional campaign. For complete rules and submission guidelines, please visit www.fox.com/idolfans.

Carrie Underwood rings in holidays with new special

December 2, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Jeff Pfeiffer Fresh off a new album that debuted at No. 1 last month (Play On), singing star Carrie Underwood now showcases her voice in her first Christmas special. The two-hour Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special premieres on FOX Dec. 7 at 8pm ET/PT, and features Carrie performing new music from Play On, along with her previous hits and interpretations of holiday classics. Carrie is joined onstage by guests such as Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, David Cook, Kristin Chenoweth and Christina Applegate. At a recent conference call with journalists, Carrie talked a little more about the special, and […]

Nickelodeon’s “Big Time Rush” poised to be a music cash cow

November 4, 2009 StayTuned Staff

Having launched so many showbiz careers (of admittedly variable quality), American Idol and its producers are enjoying success not beyond their wildest imaginations, but exactly as they imagined it. In addition to the usual advertising revenue generated by the show, money is sluicing in via the ongoing synergy with AT&T, album and download sales, licensing and so forth, not to mention the ongoing careers of its participants. In the wake of that kind of success, it was certain that other shows would come along and do their emulation act. Shows like Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, Nickelodeon’s Instant Star and, most […]

American Idol hires Ellen DeGeneres to replace Paula Abdul

September 10, 2009 Ruth Boulet

by Ruth Anne Boulet *Sigh* Really, I didn’t think it would come to this. Paula is really, truly out. Replacing her is Ellen DeGeneres. At the risk of repeating what several other bloggers are saying, I will concur that while I like Ellen, she’s no Paula. Paula was on the panel to be really upbeat and spout the crazy salad. Will I hear Ellen tell contestants they are ‘authentic’ or ‘original?’ Will I believe her if she does? One thing I know is that Ellen won’t have the ‘is-she-drunk-or-high-or-WHAT?!’ that Paula gave us, consistently, week after week. That’s what made […]

“Idol” guest judges confirmed

August 6, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

Peter Rice, chairman of entertainment at FOX, confirmed today at TCA that Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry would be guest judges on the next season of American Idol. Rice also addressed the departure of judge Paula Abdul: “It’s very saddening to us. She was the only member whose contract was up … we very much wanted her to return. We made an offer we feel was very fair; it was a substantial raise. Between now and January we will come up with a replacement for Paula. We’re very sad that she’s not coming back.” Although there will be a search […]

A few minutes with Kathy Griffin

August 6, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

By Jeff Pfeiffer Oh, to be as deliciously open and uncensored as Kathy Griffin, star of Bravo’s My Life on the D-List (which airs its season finale this Monday). At an outdoor shindig thrown by NBC/Universal during the Television Critics Association (TCA) tour, Griffin gabbed with a small scrum of reporters and let her thoughts fly on various topics of the day, never missing a wry, often tongue-in-cheek beat even as she managed to throw in ironically glamorous poses for passing photographers during the conversation: On Paula Abdul Leaving American Idol Griffin: This is a very tough time for me […]

Jackson-Themed “American Idol” To Re-Air Tonight

June 29, 2009 Jeff Pfeiffer

FOX is honoring the memory and celebrating the life of Michael Jackson with an encore showing of the Jackson-themed American Idol performance show, airing tonight from 8-10pm ET/PT. In this episode, this season’s top 13 contestants performed music from Michael Jackson’s songbook, including Lil Rounds singing “The Way You Make Me Feel,” Adam Lambert singing “Black or White,” Danny Gokey singing “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” Scott MacIntyre singing “Keep the Faith,” Michael Sarver singing “You Are Not Alone,” Jasmine Murray singing “I’ll Be There,” Kris Allen singing “Remember the Time,” Allison Iraheta singing “Give In to Me,” Anoop Desai singing […]