American Idol Archives - Channel Guide Magazine

Kelly Clarkson’s Tear-Jerking Performance On “American Idol”

February 26, 2016 Kellie Freeze 1

In Thursday night’s episode of American Idol, the aging reality series showed why it’s a shell of what it once was. The series announced the final 10 contestants in its final season: MacKenzie Bourg, Trent Harmon, Gianna Isabella, Lee Jean, Tristan McIntosh, Dalton Rapattoni, La’Porsha Renae, Olivia Rox, Sonika Vaid and Avalon Young. Four of the contestants were unanimously chosen by the judges last night — Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. — and the remaining six were chosen by America’s votes. But the best moment of the night was when Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson brought America […]

American Idol: Harry Connick Jr talks Season 13

December 13, 2013 Lori Acken 1

Even if you’re the most ardent America Idol fan, odds are good you remember the Mariah Carey-Nicki Minaj crazy train that derailed Season 12 more than you remember Candice Glover, the soulful South Carolinian who won. This year it’s all about the music promises new judge Harry Connick Jr. who joins Keith Urban and a returning Jennifer Lopez in search of Season 13’s superstar-in-the-making. “We are all so about these contestants,” the singer/actor says. “We also happen to really like each other. We eat lunch together and show each other pictures of our families. I watch the Saints games with Keith […]

American Idol: Judges and execs talk Season 12

January 8, 2013 Lori Acken 1

The judging panel for American Idol Season 12 took to the stage at the TCA Winter Press Tour today to present a united front. Sort of. While FOX head of alternative programming, Mike Darnell, assured assembled critics that the much-publicized feud between freshman judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj wasn’t drummed up to lure disillusioned viewers back to the show, he added that all of the judges disagree with one another — only because they are so passionate about finding America’s next music superstar. “They fight all the time,” Carey then quipped about fellow newbie Keith Urban and the judge’s […]

“American Idol” Season 12 online auditions reopen today

October 12, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer Comments Off

Starting today, Oct. 12, though Sunday, Nov. 4, American Idol hopefuls have one more chance to audition for the show’s upcoming 12th season, which begins in January on FOX (with recently announced judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban, along with returning judge Randy Jackson). Online auditions are being taken during these dates, and entrants should submit an audition video online, featuring them performing a song of their choice a cappella. Videos are limited to one submission per person. All auditioners must be between the ages of 15-28 (on June 5, 2012) and a legal U.S. citizen or a […]

Five ways to fix “American Idol”

August 21, 2012 Tom Comi Comments Off

American Idol is not only close to jumping the shark, it is getting dangerously close to getting eaten by it. And with the show changing judges quicker than Simon Cowell can put away a carton of cigarettes, it would be wise for FOX to revamp the competition immediately. FOX had a good thing going back in the day when the only three judges were Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul. Fearing that viewers were getting tired of the trio, executives made the ill-fated decision to replace Abdul with Kara DioGuardi and then add Ellen DeGeneres to the mix. The four-panel […]

Statements on Steven Tyler’s “American Idol” departure

July 12, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer Comments Off

Steven Tyler has decided to depart his role as a judge on American Idol, FOX announced in a press release today. Tyler served as a judge during the hit series’ 10th and 11th seasons. Following are statements from Tyler and network and show execs. Steven Tyler: “After some long …hard … thoughts … I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress American Idol before she boils my rabbit. I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I’m back – but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I’ve got two fists in the air and […]

FOX celebrates 25th anniversary tonight

April 22, 2012 Jeff Pfeiffer Comments Off

Although it may be hard for even those of us who were around at its launch to recall, FOX really was an upstart network and the butt of many of jokes in the wake of its primetime debut in April 1987 (it continued to be the punchline of some jokes regarding dubious programming for years afterward, even into the 2000s, but what can you expect when you greenlight shows like Man vs. Beast and The Littlest Groom?). There was also plenty of criticism of some of its “edgy” program choices early on. Married…With Children was an early success for the network and […]

Matt Lauer, Ryan Seacrest confront “Today Show” rumors

April 4, 2012 Tom Comi Comments Off

There was a giant elephant on the set of the Today Show this morning, and Matt Lauer and Ryan Seacrest finally got together publicly to talk about it. For those not paying attention, there have been major rumors circulating that the American Idol host could be next in line to replace the morning show anchor should he not renew his expiring contract this year. It should be noted upfront that Lauer and Seacrest are social outside of their respective jobs, so much of the interview came across as two buddies having a conversation over a beer. And even though laughter […]

Jeremy Rosado on his “American Idol” ouster

March 9, 2012 Lori Acken Comments Off

Speaking with journalists via conference call Friday morning, Jeremy “Jer-Bear” Rosado — the first American Idol contestant to be ousted on the Season 11 competition — lived up to his teddy bear with a heart of gold reputation, having nothing but kind words to say about the AI judges and producers and his “brothers and sisters” who remain to sing on. “I cried and prayed and called my mom,” Rosado said when asked what he did when the cameras stopped rolling. “I’m still devastated. But I was so tremendously blessed to have been on the show.” Even before he and […]

Can “The Voice” pose a threat to the “American Idol” dynasty?

March 5, 2012 Tom Comi Comments Off

This week will be very intriguing for music fans as American Idol and The Voice both get to the next stages of their respective competitions. And it will be interesting from a ratings standpoint to see if Idol will continue to be the standard bearer or if the up-and-coming Voice can present a challenge to the throne. There was a time when Idol was the only kid on the block, but shows like The Voice, X-Factor and even The Sing-Off are now giving music fans some options. That doesn’t mean Idol still isn’t a ratings juggernaut, because it’s still the […]