For a few contestants, being rejected on 'American Idol' is not their last flirtation with fame. If the audition is weird enough or the judges' reaction memorable enough, it's possible to parlay 'Idol' rejection into a secondary career, a bizarre extension of the 15 minutes of fame they would probably never have had to begin with. We dug up both those attention-seekers and the ones who avoid the spotlight to find out what happened to 'Idol''s most notorious contestants.

Every single review that has been written for the new drama Hung (and will ever be written) will use a joke/pun concerning the title of the show. I refuse to do that. I have a good head on my shoulders. It might be hard to do, but I think if I refrain from bad jokes I won't get the shaft from readers.

Jimmy Kimmel Live went literal with this promo for the new show. It brings back a certain celebrity we had all forgotten about...

Call it what you will -- the downfall of pop music or its savior -- there's no denying that 'American Idol' is a fickle god-maker.

Some winners have found great success (hello, Kelly!), some have been dumped by their labels (so sorry, Ruben and Taylor), while some also-rans have gone on to bigger and better things.

We check in on 30 'AI' alums and fill you in on which ones are in trouble with the law, which are still giving it their best shot ... and which have fallen off the radar.

1. How much air time should TV news give to Barbaro dying? Um, how about a quick mention during sports and that's it? In the grand scheme of things, it's really not that important. One of the Boston news anchors said that the horse was "a great athlete" twice within five minutes. The horse's death was not only talked about over and over and over and over again on the major networks and all the 24 hour news channels, ABC led their nightly newscast with it. What, nothing happening in Iraq on in Washington? And they say Katie is doing fluff.

Karoake Revolution is releasing an American Idol version of its game for PlayStation 2, complete with original American Idol tunes and judgements from Randy and Simon. Players can cover one of 40 songs, including Taylor Hicks' "Do I Make You Proud", Bo Bice's "The Real Thing", Ruben Studdard's "Flying Without Wings", and Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway". You can also channel William Hung, by singing "She Bangs". Once you've finished your song, Randy and Simon will have some remarks for you. Paula Abdul's not involved, but you can cover her '80s hit "Straight Up".

This sounds like a game for the pre-teen set at slumber parties or their very first boy-girl parties. I can see it now: an 11-year-old girl's night is ruined when Simon tells her she's the worst singer ever.

[Via TV Filter]

American Idol reject William Hung is still making the rounds. This week, he was crowned 'Artichoke King' in Castroville, California-- the artichoke capital of the world. This weekend he will ride in the town's parade and perform butcher the Beach Boys' Surfin' USA and Billy Ray Cyrus' Achy Breaky Heart (and you thought that song was awful when mullet-guy sang it!).

That artichoke event has really gone downhill. The first 'Artichoke Queen' was Marilyn Monroe.

People online has a nifty little photo-story updating us on some of our favorite American Idol contestants who didn't win the title. Here are a few:

• Diana DeGarmo: after spending the holidays entertaining the troops abroad, she's joining the cast of Hairspray on Broadway on February 7.
• Frenchie Davis: proving that racy photos on the internet aren't the end of all things, she's a cast member of Rent on Broadway, where she's been since she was prematurely booted off the show in 2003.
  
• William Hung: thinking he's entitled to more than 15 minutes of fame, he's still performing crap from his three, yes three, albums.
• Tamyra Gray: the one who should've gone against Kelly Clarkson in the finale, Tamyra is working on her second album and persuing more acting roles.
• Josh Gracin: lookin' a little thick around the middle, Josh just kicked off a tour where he is opening for Trace Adkins. He and his wife, Ann Marie, now have two children.
• Corey Clark: ah, who the hell cares?

The story also includes new photos and updates on Ruben Studdard, Jennifer Hudson, LaToya London, and Justin Guarini.