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'American Idol' Expert Jim Cantiello Is Worried Kris Allen Is On His Way Out

Posted 5/5/09 11:10 pm EST by in American Idol


Kris Allen It's been well over an hour since Danny Gokey imitated a velociraptor on the "American Idol" stage, but my poor ears have not recovered. But I still need to predict my bottom three for Wednesday night's results show. (I have such a great track record, what with predicting Allison going home last week, I just know you're all back clamoring for more of my inane "Idol" musings.)

I'm not sure if they will even do a bottom three Wednesday night, considering there are only four left, but for the sake of this blog (and my "Idol" pool) let's pretend they will.

Spot #3: Danny Gokey
In many ways, this third-place slot will tell us who will win "American Idol" this year. If Danny Gokey avoids the bottom three and it's Adam Lambert here, we all know that Gokey is going for the gold. After Adam ruled rock night while Danny Gokey floundered with an amateurish and sometimes-embarrassing Aerosmith cover, I can't fathom Danny being the top vote-getter of the week. YET, if he does, indeed, pull off avoiding the bottom three Wednesday night, as he has every other results show, he is unstoppable. Here's why I don't see Adam in the bottom: His fans are energized after last week's shocking bottom-two placement. They vowed to never vote-split again, which is bad news for the remaining contestants.

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We're Live-Blogging The Top Four 'American Idol' Performances!

Posted 5/5/09 7:59 pm EST by in American Idol, Live Blog


Jim Cantiello

BREAKING NEWS! LITERALLY! According to “American Idol” blogs TopIdol and MJsBigBlog, there was an insane amount of drama during tonight’s “Idol” dress rehearsal! Exploding sets, falling stage managers! Yowzas! More news to come… We now return you to your regularly scheduled “American Idol” live-blog…

…and then the Pope says, “Poke her? I don’t even know her!” HAHAHA. That was a funny joke.

Before tonight’s Rock-themed “American Idol” live-blog, I want to say three words: I’m proud of you, America!

Yes, even though Simon threw my favorite contestant, Allison, under the bus on last week’s Rat Pack show (and even though I wrote a whole blog predicting her Results Show Demise) you guys rallied around the most underrated contestant of the season and pushed her through to tonight’s Rock-themed “Idol.”

Round of applause.

Tonight will be “Idol’s” most competitive yet. The deadweight is all gone (sorry Matt Giraud fan) and we’re left with four winners. (Yes, this Gokey hater was turned a believer after last week’s “Come Rain or Come Shine.”) And with Paula off the pills, we’re likely to avoid any Jason Castro-type ESP moments this year. Second round of applause for Paula coming clean, both figuratively and literally!

Lastly, thanks to a bout of inspiration which led to a ripped t-shirt in last week’s 60 Second Recap, I couldn’t properly shout-out last week’s winner of the “Cantiello Comment Contest.” MTV.COM user Robroy had a delicious rant that colorfully compared “Idol’s” stink to that of chicken poop. But it was the second comment that had me totally dying. “I had to look at Kara’s RIGHT ARMPIT AGAIN! Please, please, oh please…sob, sob…pleeeeeeeezzz…stop with the show opening Diguardia PitStop!”

Now that Robroy has mentioned that, you’re never going to be able to look at Kara and NOT stare at her armpit, am I right?

Let’s put this intro down like a sick dog and move on to tonight’s “Idol” live-blogging!

7:37 pm – MJ is reporting that the dress rehearsal for “Idol” has been canceled. Innnteresting. I wonder how that will affect the contestant’s game.

7:39 pm – OMG TopIdol is reporting that Debbie The Stage Manager fell down the stairs and was taken away on a stretcher. And then Ryan came out and the stage started to fall apart. Those scary spinning globes (which TopIdol mentioned in her on-the-scene blog entry from last week) hissed and then exploded. AHH!

7:40 pm – Who here thinks it’s the ghost of Bea Arthur wreaking havoc on “Idol” after hearing that Constantine Maroulis was nominated for a Tony Award this morning? You know that Broadway diva ain’t having any of that!

8:00 pm - And we're live! The taped teaser is rolling. I guess all the drama was swept up?

8:01 pm - And THIS...is "American Idol!" Okay, round of applause for the clean-up crew. Can't wait to hear what Seacrest says about the dress rehearsal!

8:02 pm - Holy crap! They're going into details. The contestants haven't been able to have a proper run-through!! And the set is broken! And they're going to do duets tonight! And Seacrest just referred to Randy as "The Staple!" This is so bizarre!

8:03 pm - Who wore it better? (Studded leather jacket edition): Kara DioGuardi or Adam Lambert?

8:04 pm - Slash is our mentor this week. He's a great vocalist! (Eyeroll.)

8:05 pm - Aww, Slash actually seems nervous to meet the contestants. Either that or he's detoxing.

8:06 pm - It's a true night of firsts. Adam Lambert is going first. For the first time ever. And he's doing a Led Zeppelin song. My mind = officially blown.

8:07 pm - Raise your hand if you're bopping your head right now. Adam Lambert is KILLING it!! I love Rock Week!!

8:09 pm - Also a first? This performance is like 17 minutes long. And it's ending with Adam shrieking "Deep inside! Woman! You need it!" Raise your hand if you just did a spit take.

8:10 pm - Randy thinks Adam should do a record with Slash. (Hate to break it to you, Randy. That album already exists. It's called "Appetite For Destruction.") Kara thinks Adam should do an album that's 70's classic rock, 80's glam rock, and Nine Inch Nails. And then she had a "When Harry Met Sally..." orgasm. I guess with Matt G gone, she's set her sights on Adam Lambert. Paula says his "Whole Lotta Love" was a whole lotta perfect. Groan.

8:11 pm - Simon says it was his favorite Lambert performance yet. One problem: "how is anyone gonna top that?" Good question, Cowell. Here's hoping Danny Gokey is next.

8:12 pm - D'oh! It's Allison! NOOO!!!

8:15 pm - A promo just promised the most intense "Hell's Kitchen" finale ever. Maybe they won't be cooking beef wellington this time? Because that would be SHOCKING!

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Our 'American Idol' Rock Week Predictions

Posted 5/5/09 12:53 pm EST by in American Idol, MTV News


American Idol Top 4To the best of our knowledge, "American Idol" has never done a straight-up, honest-to-goodness "Rock Week." Sure, there's been a "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" week and a "Beatles" week, but tonight's show marks the first time they're just doing "Rock." Plain, awesome "Rock."

Of course, given that this is "Idol," they're also making it as confusing as possible, which means that, depending on what you read, tonight might also be "Classic Rock" (i.e. "songs from the '70s and '80s") night, or it might be "Rock Duets" night, or it might be some combination of the two.

We know, we don't get it either.

Anyway, despite our confusion, we here in the MTV Newsroom take both "Idol" and "rocking" pretty seriously, which means that we've been exchanging countless e-mails about just what each of the final four should sing tonight ... there were no shortage of selections, and you can read some of the best after the jump. Read More...

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Justin Guarini Makes A Play For The 'New Moon' Soundtrack

Posted 5/1/09 4:49 pm EST by in American Idol, twilight


We're pretty certain that "New Moon" is gonna be a big deal ... so we can't blame "American Idol" runner-up/TV Guide Network talking head Justin Guarini for trying to get involved with the film. It's just that, well, there's got to be a better way of going about it.

For those who don't keep abreast of Guarini's every move (which is probably 99.9 percent of you), the curly-haired crooner just posted a song called "I Can't Live" on his official site, which he "wrote specifically for 'New Moon.'" He even made a video for the track -- basically just a series of still photographs of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart -- and told fans "If you like it, make sure to spread the word and ask Stephenie Meyer to put it on the soundtrack."

He also posted the video on his official YouTube channel -- tagging it with every conceivable "Twilight" theme imaginable, not to mention "Swine Flu" for added search-engine oomph -- and let fans have their say on the track.

And, well, that's where things get a little ugly Read More...

Five Possible Reasons Why Adam Lambert Was In The Bottom Three Last Night

Posted 4/30/09 5:29 pm EST by in American Idol, Behind The Scenes


By Sohyung Kang

The biggest news to come out of last night's episode of "American Idol" was not that Matt Giraud was eliminated (for the third time this season — yawn and farewell), but that Adam Lambert shockingly landed in the bottom three. While I'm sure many Lambert fans are busy wailing in agony and disbelief over the travesty, wondering how this could have possibly happened, I can think of at least five reasons.

1. Voter complacency. Adam fans likely thought all the other Adam fans were doing the voting, so they chose to spend their Tuesday night watching his YouTube videos on repeat instead of actually voting for him. Meanwhile, after Simon's harsh and unnecessary jab at Allison Iraheta, Allison fans probably spent all night furiously voting to keep their girl alive. But after last night's wake-up call, this issue will be permanently resolved. Grieving Adam fans, haunted by the shock bootings of Chris Daughtry and Jennifer Hudson in the past, will make sure to burn their fingers off speed-dialing and texting their votes on the Tuesdays to come.

2. He's not as popular as we think he is. Maybe America does not, in fact, enjoy their windows shattering every time he comes onstage for his weekly screamfests. Maybe people aren't interested in buying a CD of Adam shrieking for a period of time longer than Freddie Prinze Jr.'s career. It's true that Adam is the most talked-about contestant on "Idol," with people Googling him as often as they go to the bathroom, but that may not necessarily mean that he is the most liked. Much of his buzz is credited to how polarizing he is. As Simon stated earlier in the season, people either love Adam or hate him. Read More...

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Did You See This?! 'American Idol,' Eminem, Speidi And More!

Posted 4/30/09 3:14 pm EST by in American Idol, Did You See This?, Eminem


By Matt Wenzel

Matt Giraud finally had to face his fate last night on "American Idol." Check out our recap of the show, and see how fans of Kris Allen and Adam Lambert reacted to the front-runners' appearance in the bottom three.

Check out our analysis of the trailer for Eminem's rather bloody upcoming "3 A.M." video.

Heidi Montag is done shooting her music video in Mexico, and it's time for Speidi's honeymoon. Will they Tweet throughout that too?

Forget all the hype about Susan Boyle, we'd like to concentrate on Allison Iraheta, the original underdog with the amazing voice.

Aren't 7-Eleven Slurpees delicious? Hmm, are they still delicious when there are Terminator robots stuck to the straws?

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'American Idol' Producers Probably Happy T-Pain Was Busy Last Night

Posted 4/30/09 2:52 pm EST by in American Idol


"American Idol" used to be so squeaky-clean with the guest appearances from middle-of-the-road acts like Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart, Tony Bennett, Martina McBride, Barry Gibb and Dolly Parton.

While their songs are fun for the whole family, the show dodged a bullet on Wednesday night when this week's mentor, Jamie Foxx, had to perform a foreshortened version of his ode to the pants-loosening effects of alcohol, "Blame It." See, after recent results shows on which Lady Gaga sang about bluffin' on her "muffin" and rapper Flo Rida paid tribute to strippers and/or oral sex with "Right Round," Foxx's song avoided controversy from edgy verses that might have inspired shouts of "ear muffs!" from parents across the country. Read More...

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Is 'American Idol' Teen Allison Iraheta The Original Susan Boyle?

Posted 4/30/09 8:39 am EST by in American Idol


Allison IrahetaNo matter how many octaves Adam Lambert can screech, there's only one contestant this season that I call my "American Idol," and, ironically enough, her initials are A.I.: Allison Iraheta!

The newly 17-year-old singer had me from her first crazy interview, in which she acted like she'd stumbled off the set of "Intervention." She solidified that love minutes later with a knock-your-ass-to-the-ground-and-now-your-butt-bone-hurts-but-you-don't-care-cuz-it-was-that-brilliant rendition of Heart's "Alone." Allison was the original Susan Boyle — a girl who, on first impression, you thought was a loon. But then when she opened that bedazzled-braces-clad mouth, you were blown away.

Allison's run on "Idol" has been super impressive so far. She's had more "wow" moments than judges' faves Matt Giraud and Danny Gokey combined. "Alone," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," "I Can't Make You Love Me" and, most recently, "Someone To Watch Over Me." With each performance, Allison reveals a new layer of musicality, understanding and maturity.

But here's the frustrating part: Simon Cowell clearly has something against Allison. He's only unabashedly gushed over her twice on the main stage, and those were her two weakest performances. Every time she delivers a song worthy of the "Idol Hall of Fame," Simon dismisses her outfit. Or draws on Paula Abdul's face with a crayon. Or knocks Allison's "lack of a personality."

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Adam Lambert Gets 'Crazy' In Pre-'American Idol' Video

Posted 4/29/09 4:42 pm EST by in American Idol


By Eric Ditzian

In this age of ubiquitous Internet video, nothing is ever forgotten. Every time somebody sticks a camera in front of your face, expect that footage to one day pop up somewhere on the Web. Just pray it's not embarrassing.

"American Idol" front-runner Adam Lambert, he of the acrobatic voice and inventive wardrobe, doesn't have to worry — dude always sounds amazing.

Case in point: This 2008 video of Lambert singing a sped-up, jazzier, piano-accompanied version of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" at the Upright Cabaret in West Hollywood, California. This past weekend, his cabaret buddies staged an "Upright Loves Lambert" tribute concert during which artists and musicians — including many from the musical "Wicked" and Hollywood revue "The Zodiac Show" — performed songs that had some connection to the "Idol" fave.

Since debuting on the talent competition in January, Lambert hasn't sung many contemporary tunes. But listen to this version of "Crazy," and you'll hope he rocks out some new-millennium anthems in the weeks to come.

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'American Idol' Expert Jim Cantiello Thinks Allison Iraheta Is On Her Way Out

Posted 4/29/09 12:38 am EST by in American Idol


Allison Iraheta Rat Pack standards night on "American Idol" had almost everyone bringing their A-game. The top five are all in it to win it, even if Simon Cowell thinks some are hungrier than others. (Don't get me started ... )

But even though there are only five singers left, tomorrow night's results shows still means the contestants will have to face one thing: awful Ford commercials. Oh yeah, it also brings the dreaded bottom three. Although I can't see into the future like Paula Abdul, who can somehow judge performances before she even sees them, I'm going to take a crack and predict which contestants I see sitting on those sterile stools in less than 24 hours.

Spot #3: Kris Allen
Kris opened the show, which is never a good thing. (Last week, Lil had the opening spot, and now she's doing press appearances on "Live With Regis & Kelly." 'Nuff said.) And his "The Way You Look Tonight" didn't pack the punch of his past two star-making performances on the show. Personally, I thought he looked unrehearsed. And Simon didn't have much love for him, comparing the dude to a well-trained dog. But his loyal teen-girl fanbase will text enough votes to have Seacrest say, "Sit, Ubu, sit! Good dog."

(Check out the rest of Jim's predictions, after the jump!)
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