Every day a multitude of stars wanders through the halls of MTV News to talk about their latest projects and goof around with our intrepid correspondents. But sometimes we catch stars elsewhere, and that's why we put together Spotted!, a daily compendium of stars in the wild.

Former "American Idol" contestant David Archuleta didn't win the season he competed (that honor went to erstwhile Our Lady Peace fan David Cook), but in many ways it's worked out better for Archie. He has never had to deal with the pressure or scrutiny of being the winner, but there is still plenty of enthusiasm surrounding everything he works on (including his recently-released Christmas album). Plus, he's not hounded by photographers all that often. Really, it's the best kind of fame. Still, it was nice to see him show up in the paparazzi viewfinders yesterday, as Archuleta was spotted leaving high-end Los Angeles eatery Il Pastaio with singer and songwriter Kina Grannis.

He wasn't the only star who rolled in public yesterday, as Leona Lewis paid a visit to Radio One in London and Robin Thicke dropped in on a radio station in Miami. Click here for these photos plus the entire "Spotted!" archive, which features over 350 candid shots of stars like Britney Spears, Shakira, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Lady Gaga, the Jonas Brothers, Adam Lambert, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Jay-Z and 50 Cent!

"American Idol" winner Kris Allen debuted his first music video today (although he's been the unwilling star of several hilarious/creepy fan-made Kradam tribute clips) and while "Live Like We're Dying" probably won't win any Moonmen at next year's VMAs, it's a big, bold and awesomely expensive-looking first taste of what fans can expect from Kris Allen 2.0. He's no longer "just" an "Idol" winner. He's a musician in his own right, and the video sets him up as a worthy colleague to similarly-minded artists like the Fray, OneRepublic and John Mayer.

The video starts in near-darkness, but as the clip progresses (and as he plays more instruments), the sun slowly rises until the final moments, when a new day has officially dawned. Call me sentimental (and, okay, a crazy fan), but this video perfectly mirrors Kris' "Idol" journey in a deliciously subtle way. He began as a guy with little exposure during the early episodes, but thanks to his earnest performances and winning personality, he ended up being the top dog.

Perhaps I'm reading into it, but Allen could be winking at his naysayers by performing in front of a clock that looks as though it's ticking down from 15 minutes. (It's actually one-minute and fifty seconds, but with the fast-paced editing it's easy to misread it.) Okay, I'm definitely reading into it.

What struck me the most about the video, however, was just how different Kris' debut clip is compared to other "Idol" winners' music video debuts. And that's a good — nay, amazing — thing.

Imagine, if you will, the cheese that would have come with a dramatic interpretation of the song's lyrics (see Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel"). If Team Allen had decided to go the David Cook "Light On" route, poor Kris would have played second fiddle to a subplot featuring actors. Even worse, Kris could have played the romantic lead in a slo-mo melodramatic clip like Ruben Studdard's "Sorry (2004)" and Fantasia's "Truth Is" video. If they had used Kelly Clarkson's "Miss Independent" video philosophy, Kris would have had to wear a huge scarf and get lost in a giant house party. And don't even get me started on Taylor Hicks' first "Look! I'm at a jazz club!" video or Jordin Sparks' cheap off-season-at-the-carnival "Tattoo."

Instead, Jive Records and 19 Recordings opened their check books and let Kris do what he does best: Sing, play a bunch of instruments and look achingly sincere while doing so. Holy crap! An "Idol" music video that shows the contestant in their element? That really is a first.

The wait is finally over, and right now, fans all over the world are enjoying "Michael Jackson's This Is It," the hotly-anticipated concert film culled from over 100 hours of footage left behind by the late pop superstar. Though windy conditions threatened to whisk away all of the sequin-gloved revelers at the red carpet premiere in Los Angeles, it didn't stop hardcore Jackson fans from coming out to support the fallen icon. Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Adam Lambert, Paula Abdul and David Cook all turned out to support the film and glad-hand with spectators, press and Jackson family members. Everyone had something to say in support of the King of Pop.

"Michael wasn't afraid of just being himself," said Lambert. "Michael didn't conform to one style of music. He did his own thing. That's the thing that makes me tick."

Abdul's connection to Jackson was more personal, as she was a choreographer for the Jacksons on their 1984 Victory tour. "There were so many memorable moments," she told MTV News. "I was still a [Los Angeles] Laker girl and I was summoned to work with the brothers. I was 18 years old and I got to see entertainment at its finest. [I learned that] you're only as good as the last thing you've done. He was just amazing."

As for the movie, the first reviews should be hitting the street soon, but if the clips we've seen so far are any indication, the film will not only be a stunning piece of art but also a fitting epitaph for Jackson (though it almost certainly won't be the last). Follow the jump for an exclusive clip of Jackson performing "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" — one of his signature hits — in "Michael Jackson's This Is It."

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Adam Lambert revealed his album cover for "For Your Entertainment" and it’s as spectacularly over-the-top and jaw-dropping as his memorable “American Idol” performances. The dude is a walking water-cooler conversation. And by golly, he’s done it again.

In the Tweet that linked to the cover, Lambert wrote, “Glam is back!!!” Judging from this album art, however, I don’t know that I’d say it’s back so much as hanging out at the mall Glamour Shots kiosk. (Will this eye-catching retro look help sell albums? We'll find out when it lands in stores November 23.)

The thing is, “American Idol” has a long history of eyebrow raising album covers. Read more...

The '90s were a great time to be in a band, especially in the post-grunge era. Since it took the rock world so long to figure out what to do with itself following the death of Kurt Cobain, just about anybody could get song on the radio with a slightly crunchy guitar riff and an earnest chorus. That's not to say that everything was hacky; in fact, some of the stuff that came from that era was great. One of those great things? Better Than Ezra, who first broke big with the single "Good," which owned modern rock radio in the summer of 1995. The band's videos also dominated MTV, especially "In the Blood" and "Desperately Wanting," that latter of which came from the group's 1996 record Friction, Baby.

Though Better Than Ezra remain an active band (they dropped their seventh album, Paper Empire, back in May), frontman Kevin Griffin has joined a surprisingly long line of hitmakers from the '90s who have parlayed their success into writing tunes for high-profile pop stars. Griffin has worked with a number stars, including Meat Loaf and Howie Day, as well as a number of stars from "American Idol," including David Archuleta, David Cook and Jason Castro and is currently working on tunes for both Kris Allen and Adam Lambert. He joins the club that includes Linda Perry (formerly of 4 Non Blondes, now a major songwriter for Christina Aguilera, Pink and Gwen Stefani) and Butch Walker (frontman of the Marvelous 3 who has worked with Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry).

Better Than Ezra were (and still remain) folk heroes in their hometown of New Orleans, and on Friction, Baby they dropped a tribute to the Big Easy with the single "King of New Orleans."

David Cook has been in the limelight for less than two years, but he's apparently already burned out by reporters asking him the same five questions. Late last week, Cook posted a new episode of his webshow "Pork Beans" in which the singer interviews a rubber chicken (named "Crazy Legs") by regurgitating particularly inane questions he's been asked since winning "American Idol" in 2008.

Among the vapid queries:

"Is Simon really that mean in person?"

"What's the last year of your life been like since I won 'American Idol?'"

"Who do you like better from Season 8, Adam or Kris?"

"What are your thoughts on Paula Abdul leaving 'American Idol?'" (Whoops. I totally asked Kris Allen that question last week. So kill me, I still think it was newsworthy!)

On one hand, I think the video — entitled "A Ficus Flows Between Us" — is a rather sharp satire on the state of music reporting. Bad questions that will make for easy "clickable" headlines? Check. (Although no "Twilight" question, David? Tsk tsk.) Generic responses from the artist/chicken which could all be interchanged with each other? Check! Fake interest from the interviewer after each answer? Yep, he nails that, too. One could even look deeper into the video and note that the chicken can't respond until a hand (or perhaps record label?) squeezes it.

But on the other hand, David Cook should be careful not to come off as a jaded rock star. While I find the clip to be amusing, I could see how others might look at it and go, "Well forget that guy. I won't bother interviewing him when he plays the California State Fair next week."

The interview lasts for about four minutes and then second half is a series of outtakes. (Hmm ... I wonder where he got that idea?) So check it out and let us know what you think! Too funny or too bitter? Also, are there any questions David missed that you hope "Idol" reporters retire from their tired repertoire? I know I could live without the generic "Give advice to future contestant"s line. Yawn!

It sounds like Adam Lambert will be making his big screen debut this November. But don't worry, "Idol" fans. It won't be another "From Justin to Kelly" catastrophe (although I imagine there's a small contingent of "Idol" freaks who would kill to see a musical romance between Kris Allen and Adam Lambert). Nope, instead this disaster will be of the Roland Emmerich-fueled sci-fi kind, meaning lots of stuff will get blown up.

After weeks of speculation and coy remarks to the press, it has been confirmed by legendary Queen guitarist Brian May that Adam Lambert has recorded a song for the upcoming Emmerich opus "2012." In a blog post dated Friday, August 14th, Mr. May gushed like a total fan-girl over the track, which he heard while hanging with producer Rob Cavallo. Read his comments (in a British accent, for full effect) below:

"I have to say I was completely blown away ... it's truly sensational. In fact it's so obviously a number one smash, any bookie would be mad to take bets on it. I am not kidding. I'm not easily moved to jelly by male vocalists ... but Adam's voice reaches out with sensitivity, depth, maturity, and awesome range and power which will make jaws drop all around the world. Its an awesome performance. No doubt about it. The world of Rock has a bright new star."

You think he liked it? Seriously, I haven't seen someone freak over an "Idol" like that since ... well, since I interviewed Kris Allen last week.

So here's what we know: The song was produced by Cavallo, whose name you know from working with David Cook, Green Day, My Chemical Romance and — randomly — Paris Hilton. Meat Loaf's drummer John Miceli was involved in some capacity. We assume the tune will be rolling over the end credits after (potential spoiler alert!) John Cusack and his band of misfits probably save the world, and ... that's about all we know.

But rest easy, Glamberts! We are working overtime to get as many details as possible over the highly-anticipated tune. What's it called? Will it also be on his major-label debut album this fall? Will it be "Rock Gawd" Lambert or "Gentle Jeff Buckley Balladeer" Lambert? And how badly does Brian May want Lambert to be in Queen? We're making as many phone calls as humanly possible to get to the bottom of this. So stay tuned...

Every day a multitude of stars wanders through the halls of MTV News to talk about their latest projects and goof around with staff members. But sometimes we catch stars elsewhere, and that's why we put together Spotted!, a daily compendium of stars in the wild.

Has anybody had a better recovery than 2009 Video Music Award nominee Britney Spears? It seems like it wasn't too long ago when she was shaving her head, running around with Kevin Federline, getting into traffic accidents and generally looking like a disaster. But with a big comeback album, a massively successful world tour and a general sense of calm, it seems like Britney is back and better than ever. Not a bad turnaround really. While on a break from the "Circus" tour (she resumes next week in Canada before coming to Madison Square Garden for a huge three-night stand), she took some time out to go shopping at Vionnet, an arty clothing and jewelry boutique in Los Angeles.

(Click here for more Spotted! photos of Britney Spears, Ne-Yo, Chris "Captain Kirk" Pine and more!)

Yesterday was a busy day not just for Britney but also for Ne-Yo (another VMA nominee), who unveiled the new fall ad campaign for Alfani in New York. Meanwhile, the cast of "Gossip Girl" got back to the business of that show, Fergie ducked into an L.A. recording studio and former "American Idol" winner David Cook signed autographs in Hollywood. Be sure to check out those photos plus the entire "Spotted!" archive at the link above. Or hey! Here it is one more time.

It's officially the halfway point of summer this week, as the Major League Baseball All-Star Game is tomorrow at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The week will feature a number of musical guests, including a rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" care of Sheryl Crow and a performance by David Cook at tonight's Home Run Derby.

While the actual All-Star Game is perpetually a snoozer even for hardcore fans, the Home Run Derby is always a reason to tune in to ESPN. This year's contestants are an eclectic mix of old saws and newcomers, and since it's regularly impossible to project just who is going to win (past victors include not-quite-legends like Garret Anderson and Wally Joyner), the only real way to judge who will come out on top is to judge each contestant by his entrance music.

Yes, just like the WWE, just about every player in baseball has a song that plays over stadium PAs when they come to the plate. Some choices are inspired, some inexplicable. So here's how the field will likely shake out, based solely on each individual's taste in tunes.

8. Brandon Inge (Detroit Tigers; Korn, "Coming Undone"): Inge would have picked up some points by having the only rock song on this list, but he loses everything he might have gained by attaching his name to one of the least badass tunes in the Korn catalogue. Why wouldn't he go with "Right Now" or "Got the Life"?

7. Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies; Ludacris, "Last of a Dying Breed"): Howard is one of the most feared hitters in baseball, and the intro to "Last of a Dying Breed" is fittingly epic, but the track is full of over-blustery boasts like "Soldiers couldn't cause more disasters on D-Day" and "Luda's got more records than a DJ."
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By Kathleen Newman-Bremang

The search for America's favorite dancer is back! "So You Think You Can Dance" kicked off its fifth season last week, and last night, we got the chance to see the Miami and Memphis auditions, where thousands of pointy-toed contemporary dancers and bright-eyed poppers and lockers showed up for the chance to dance their way into America's heart and to go on to a life of fame and fortune ... or not.

Wait — where are all the former "SYTYCD" contestants? As Kris Allen basks in the glory of his "American Idol" win, we couldn't help but wonder what life after "SYTYCD" looks like.

Since focusing on the competition's winners would be a tad depressing (where is Sabra Johnson?), we decided to look back at what the show's most successful, or at least most visible, graduates are doing now — and where you can find them next:

Blake McGrath, Season One: Shy guy Nick Lazzarini may have been America's first favorite dancer but the breakout "star" of season one was definitely the bold, brash, runner-up Blake McGrath. He went on to star in that short-lived Jennifer Lopez-helmed reality show "Dance Life," and he's currently a judge and choreographer on Canada's "So You Think You Can Dance." If you need a Blake fix, just head north of the border, the show's second season is currently in the audition process.

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