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'American Idol' - 'Idol Gives Back/1 of 7 Voted Off' Recap

Jane Boursaw — 2010-04-21T23:09:00+00:00

Filed under: American Idol, Judges, Reviewcaps, Contestants, Alumni, Host, Celebrity Commentary, Features

It's "Inspiration Week" on 'American Idol,' which means the Idols sang inspirational songs on Tuesday, and 'Idol Gives Back' was on tap for tonight. It's truly amazing how much this charitable endeavor helps people around the globe. It's not easy to see all of the suffering going on in the world -- especially the children -- but it's really easy to pick up the phone and make a small donation that could save a kid's life.

Tonight, celebrities reported on the huge malaria problem in Africa; Save the Children; a food bank in Monrovia, Calif.; and global health, among others. At the end of the show, Simon Cowell reported that $15 million had been raised during the two hours the show aired. That's awesome. For more info and to learn how you can give, check out 'Idol Gives Back.'

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Adam Lambert Should Replace Simon Cowell on 'American Idol'

Allison Waldman — 2010-04-18T14:04:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, American Idol, Celebrities, Judges, Alumni, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

This hasn't been a particularly exciting season of 'American Idol.' The addition of Ellen DeGeneres has rated a 'B-minus' at best, and that's if you're grading on a curve. The contestants have failed to create the buzz we've heard in previous seasons.

The absence of Paula Abdul as a judge has given rise to rumors that she's going to be asked back next season to bring back the 'train wreck' factor. And then there's the reality that Simon Cowell has been punching the clock, sort of sleepwalking through the competition which will be his last go round with 'Idol.'

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'American Idol' - 'Two of 9 Voted Off' Recap

Kona Gallagher — 2010-04-14T23:22:00+00:00

Filed under: American Idol, Judges, Reviewcaps, Contestants, Alumni, Performances, Host, Features

After Big Mike's dramatic save last week, this show is being set up to be super-intense. Not only have the judges used their only save, but as the title indicates, two people are going home. But before that, we need a lot of filler. We have performances by Brooke White and Adam Lambert, which wow -- I enjoyed Brooke when she was on the show, but I can honestly say I haven't thought of her since.

We don't start off the show with any of this. Instead, we start off with the longest Elvis medley ever. It was so long, in fact, that I'm pretty sure they sang every single Elvis song ever written, four songs written by Elvis impersonators, and a verse from "Allison," just to round things out a little bit.

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'American Idol' - 'Top 9 Compete ... Again' Recap

Jane Boursaw — 2010-04-14T04:08:00+00:00

Filed under: American Idol, Judges, Reviewcaps, Contestants, Alumni, Performances, Host, Predictions and Trends, Features

"My tongue is not nearly as talented as yours." - Ryan Seacrest to Adam Lambert

It was an interesting night on 'American Idol,' as that statement suggests. Obviously, Ryan was talking about Adam's tongue action while singing, but when he said it, Adam's eyebrows went up. He and Ryan would make a cute couple, wouldn't they?

Anyway, Ryan's mom was in the audience, too, which made things even more interesting. That and the fact that after Big Mike's save last week -- which I'm thankful for -- the Idols are definitely feeling the pressure. Two -- count 'em, two -- people will be sent packing this week.

Based on the performances, I'm guessing they won't be the ones we predict. Meaning that Tim Urban and Andrew Garcia will still be here after tonight. Ok, maybe not Andrew.

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'Idol Gives Back' Line-up Announced

Rich Keller — 2010-04-02T13:03:00+00:00

Filed under: American Idol, Alumni, Reality-Free, Features

I've never been a big fan of 'American Idol.' Mostly because the show rips up the FOX schedule to the point that viewers forget programs like 'Bones' and 'House' still exist on the network. And don't get me started on what it did to the 'Glee' schedule!

Still, the show does redeem itself once a year with 'Idol Gives Back,' which raises a good deal of money for various charities ($140 million to date). This year, the program will take up the entire FOX schedule on Wednesday, April 21st with performances by Alicia Keys, regular 'Gives Back' performer Carrie Underwood, The Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox, and Jeff Beck.

Donations raised from the show will benefit the Children's Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children, and the United Nations Foundation. Donations can be made via phone during the broadcast as well as online, through text messaging, and via the primitive mail service.

Oh, to make sure viewers don't think the show is too charitable, the week's voting results will be revealed and a finalist will go home during the show. Hey, they have a reputation to keep!

'American Idol' - 'One of 12 Voted Off' Recap

Kona Gallagher — 2010-03-17T23:52:00+00:00

Filed under: American Idol, Judges, Reviewcaps, Contestants, Alumni, Host, Features

I don't know why, but I was thinking up until this show started that we were still losing one guy and one girl; but the days of the competition being split evenly are over. We're only losing one tonight, so one of the genders is going to be completely safe. It's hard for me to guess who's going home, though, as last night's episode was one of those nights in which I questioned what show I was watching as compared to the judges.

They, apparently, were watching some sort of star-studded tribute to The Rolling Stones, while I was watching a hot mess. The contestants seemed way over-praised, in general, while the one who wouldn't have made Mick Jagger question all of his career choices, Crystal Bowersox, was unduly criticized. It was crazy-town last night, so I'm really interested to see who America ultimately thinks should go.

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'American Idol' - 'Top 12 Revealed' Recap

Jane Boursaw — 2010-03-12T08:00:00+00:00

Filed under: American Idol, Judges, Reviewcaps, Contestants, Alumni, Predictions and Trends, Features

Ryan Seacrest said there would be a few surprises on last night's episode of 'American Idol,' and that certainly proved to be true. You have to wonder if Vote for the Worst came into play, although even the worst contestants are still really, really good to have made it that far. Let's take a look after the jump, and see which four got eliminated.

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'American Idol' - 'Four Finalists Eliminated' Recap

Kona Gallagher — 2010-03-05T00:38:00+00:00

Filed under: American Idol, Judges, Reviewcaps, Contestants, Alumni, Host, Features

We're getting rid of another four people this week, getting us ever closer to a Top 12. Are we going to lose who you think we are, or is Vote for the Worst going to come in again and skew the results? These are the questions we have to answer. Well, they're some of the questions we have to answer. We also need to find out if Danny Gokey still has a career, and if we can have more than 70% of the contestants not look completely dead inside during the group sing.

We're going to look at the poll results from the last two episodes and see if who you guys think are going home are actually the ones to leave, or if we're going to get some curveballs thrown at us. Personally, I have faith in your ability to predict the future, so let's see how you do!

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'American Idol' - '4 Finalists Eliminated' Recap

Kona Gallagher — 2010-02-26T00:05:00+00:00

Filed under: American Idol, Judges, Reviewcaps, Contestants, Alumni, Performances, Host, Features

It's the first elimination show of the year! Generally, it feels like a huge loss when four contestants are eliminated all at once, but based on the lackluster performances by both the girls and the guys, I have a feeling that unless there's some huge shakeup, few tears will be shed.

But before we get to all that, we have a (lip-synced?) Top 24 performance, and 'Idol' winner Kris Allen makes an appearance, along with runner-up Allison Iraheta. We also get to see Kara's husband and one of the contestants in a bathrobe, so let's get started!

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'American Idol' Alum Allison Iraheta to Rock First Live Results Show

Jason Hughes — 2010-02-22T18:43:00+00:00

Filed under: American Idol, Alumni, News and Gossip, Features

She rocked her way to the final four in last season's competition of 'American Idol.' Now, Allison Iraheta is returning to the stage that made her famous to perform her new hit single, 'Scars,' on the first live results show of the new season. Iraheta received almost unanimous praise through her run on 'American Idol' and was quickly snatched up by 19 Entertainment and Jive Records; something quite rare for a fourth place finisher.

Iraheta won't be going it alone either, as season eight winner Kris Allen is also schedule to perform and share footage of his trip to Haiti on the special Thursday night results show. The episode will be a de facto benefit drive for Haiti through an 'Idol Gives Back' supported charity: the UN Foundation.

Tuesday night features the Top Twelve Girls singing a Top Ten Hit from the Hot 100 chart, with the boys following suit on Wednesday. Now by my math, that's 24 different songs, which doesn't fit into any Top Ten. Maybe most of them will just join forces and recreate 'We are the World 25: For Haiti' (currently sitting at number two on the chart).

Kris Allen Will Return to 'Idol' on Feb. 25th for Haitian Relief

Allison Waldman — 2010-02-18T08:20:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, American Idol, Music and Variety, Celebrities, Alumni, Performances, Features, TV News

Amid all the singing and interviews and pressure to make it in Hollywood, 'American Idol' actually slips in some good, humanitarian work. This year the giving is starting early to benefit the earthquake victims in Haiti, and last year's 'American Idol' winner Kris Allen will go to Haiti to offer a first hand account of the devastation.

'American Idol' teamed up with the United Nations Foundation to dedicate the February 25 'American Idol' episode to Haiti. During the results show -- and yes, there will be results -- viewers will see a video of Kris from his trip to Haiti, hear his music, and be encouraged to donate to the relief efforts via texting or an online web site. All the funds go to the bigger 'Idol Gives Back' drive that culminates with the April 21st special episode.

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What Really Goes on During 'American Idol's' Hollywood Week?

Bob Sassone — 2010-02-17T16:02:00+00:00

Filed under: American Idol, Web, Alumni, News and Gossip, Features

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of FOX's 'American Idol?' Not just the typical questions like "what is Simon Cowell really like" and "does Ryan Seacrest's breath really smell minty," I mean the really important questions, like are the contestants ever denied bathroom privileges?

That's one of the many questions answered in this very long 'American Idol' piece at The Daily Beast. Lots of past contestants on the show (including season five winner Taylor Hicks - remember him?) dish about what goes on behind the scenes of the show when it gets to Hollywood. How are songs chosen? Who rooms with whom? Does everyone really get along? Do they sleep?

Jackie Tohn, who was on the show last year, says "the head games start right away. You never have any idea why anything is happening." So now we know: 'American Idol' is just like 'Lost!'

Right now on Cinematical

Kona Gallagher — 2010-02-06T10:30:00+00:00

Filed under: American Idol, Site Announcements, Alumni, Reality-Free, Features

The folks at our sister site Cinematical are working hard to give you news and reviews of the best -- and worst -- the silver screen has to offer. Here are some of their musings on the latest blockbusters, indies, and everything in between:

This isn't a spoiler, because I honestly know nothing about 'Dear John,' but just based on the trailer, I have a feeling that something bad happens to John-- perhaps it's the fact that it's based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks. Is this the next 'The Notebook'? Cinematical has their review here.
Speaking of lost loves, Cinematical Seven has Romantic Tragedies.
Eric Dane is in the upcoming film, 'Valentine's Day,' and the character he plays is gay, although you wouldn't know that from the trailer. Cinematical discusses the ugly art of de-gaying films.
Would you watch a 'Shattered Glass' remake about film critics who plagarize? Here's the pitch.
American Idol alum, Carrie Underwood is set to star in her first film, 'Soul Surfer,' about female surfer, Bethany Hamilton, who had her arm bitten off by a shark. Underwood plays a church youth group leader.

Will ABC Let Adam Lambert Into the Oscars?

Kona Gallagher — 2010-02-04T19:29:00+00:00

Filed under: Watercooler Talk, Celebrities, Alumni, Awards, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

The Adam Lambert/ABC controversy is one of those things that makes zero sense to me. If you recall, after Lambert kissed a dude and briefly simulated oral sex with someone in his band on the American Music Awards, ABC freaked out and started banning him from their shows. The network canceled appearances on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' and 'Good Morning America,' apparently fearing that the 'American Idol' runner-up wouldn't be able to refrain from nibbling George Stephanopoulos' ear at 7:30 AM. What I don't get is why this is such a big deal: it's as if ABC is operating in a world in which Lady Gaga and her antics don't exist.

Now the big Lambert news is that he may be attending the Oscars, which is airing March 7 on ABC. As Lambert isn't in the film industry, this makes little sense-- except that he may be attending the ceremony with longtime friend Anna Kendrick, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her turn in the George Clooney film, 'Up In The Air.'

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FCC complaints against Adam Lambert hit the web

Danny Gallagher — 2010-01-07T09:33:00+00:00

Filed under: American Idol, Music and Variety, Celebrities, Alumni, Features, TV News

Remember when American Idol competitor Adam Lambert's controversial performance at the American Music Awards landed him in water so hot that you could boil live lobsters in it? Me neither.

Apparently, a lot of viewers wish they were me because they bombarded the FCC with complaints and they have now found their way to a blog dedicated to them called "Why Not Glambert"?

The complaints obtained from a Freedom of Information Act request list the white-hot grievances in all of their non-spell-checked glory from the senior pastor who vowed to "lead my church in a boycot (sic) of ABC" to the parent who was "truely (sic) disguisted (sic)". I wonder if these same people who were so offended by Lambert's performance also don't own a dictionary because it too contains naughty and offensive words like "angina," "masticate" and "pianist."

[via TVTattle]

Adam Lambert booked on The View

Allison Waldman — 2009-12-05T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, American Idol, Daytime, Music and Variety, Watercooler Talk, Celebrities, Talk Show, Alumni, Features, TV News

The on-again, off-again love affair between ABC and American Idol star Adam Lambert is making my head spin. In the past week or so, still stinging over Lambert's over the top performance at the American Music Awards, ABC dropped Adam Lambert appearances on Good Morning American, Jimmy Kimmel Live and New Year's Rockin' Eve.

Adam absolved ABC of responsibility for the cancellations. He Tweeted that it was pressure from the FCC. Then the folks at GLAAD weighed in, coming to Adam's defense. That was followed by the announcement that Adam is now set to appear on ABC's The View on Thursday, December 10. He'll also be on Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating People special on December 9.

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American Music Awards: J.Lo falls, Adam Lambert freaks out parents

Kona Gallagher — 2009-11-23T10:04:00+00:00

Filed under: American Idol, Video, Watercooler Talk, Celebrities, Alumni, Awards, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

I had the American Music Awards on last night in the background, and for the most part it looked like a pretty standard awards show: People wore pretty dresses, played pianos suspended by wires, wore more makeup than their wives (I'm looking at you, Keith Urban), and simulated oral sex. Wait-- what?

Yeah, so for once, Lady Gaga's performance, which involved smashing a plate-glass window and setting a piano on fire wasn't the most interesting performance of the night. Instead, everyone is talking about two people: Jennifer Lopez and Adam Lambert. Lopez's unfortunate fall during her performance of "Louboutins" probably mortified her, but it wasn't the most awkward thing to happen during the ceremony. That distinction goes to American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert's decidedly non-family-friendly performance.

You can check out both videos after the jump.

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Who will die? Check out James Franco's General Hospital promo

Allison Waldman — 2009-11-11T18:02:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, American Idol, Video, Celebrities, Alumni, Casting, Reality-Free, Features, TV News

The James Franco experiment has begun on General Hospital. Actually, we have now learned that the movie actor, best known for Spider-Man and Milk and The Pineapple Express, has decided to do a two-month guest role on the ABC soap opera as part of a project he's doing with a filmmaker named Carter.

Franco and Carter are making a documentary called Erased James Franco. His guest turn on 30 Rock may also be part of the movie. Nobody knows for certain.

One thing I do know for certain is that ABC is taking Franco's appearance on GH very seriously. They're working around his schedule, giving him a strangely interesting character to play, and promoting it like mad.

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Adam Glambert... I mean Adam Lambert's new CD is coming out

Allison Waldman — 2009-10-28T15:31:00+00:00

Filed under: OpEd, American Idol, Music and Variety, Celebrities, Alumni, Features, TV News

Adam Lambert's first album since American Idol is coming out on November 23, and the cover of For Your Entertainment is stunning. Kris Allen's CD cover will definitely not look like this. Believe me, it won't.

To some, it's already too much. Too touched up. Too over the top. Too glamorous. Too much Adam.

Puh-leeze! Give me a break. This is exactly an Adam Lambert album cover should be. It should be stylized and dramatic. It should take your breath away. It should push the envelope because that's what Adam did in his entire American Idol experience.

When faced with a chance to play it safe, Adam never did. You know the expression, "Go big or go home"? That was Adam Lambert on Idol. He may have come in second to Kris, but he made a bigger impression.

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