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What Are You Looking Forward To Most On Tomorrow's 'American Idol' Premiere?

Posted 1/17/12 12:57 pm EST by in American Idol, Newsroom Poll


American Idol

"American Idol" returns to FOX tomorrow night to begin the audition phase of TV's most popular singing competition. The judging team that helped the show win its first season-over-season ratings gain in five years returns intact alongside host Ryan Seacrest to help decide which wannabe singers have what it takes to be national superstars.

Are you ready?

Well, whether you are or not it's coming, so do what you must to prepare. In the meantime, let us know in the poll below what you are most looking forward to as "AI" comes back for its 11th season.

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'American Idol' Season 11 Promo Debuts, Brings The Nice

Posted 10/24/11 8:54 am EST by in American Idol, Jennifer-Lopez


They're not even on at the same time of year, but the arms race between "American Idol" and Simon Cowell's "X Factor" continued on Sunday night when Fox (which airs both shows) unwrapped the first commercial for season 11 of "Idol."

The show doesn't return to air until January 22, but three months out producers seem to be sticking with the positive people vibe they explored last year with a revamped judging panel that included newbies Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. For the first time since season seven, the entire panel has returned intact, with veteran old-schooler Randy Jackson getting some serious love as the first face you see in the new ad.

Strutting through a tree-lined park lane, Jackson is surrounded by budding singers, and, despite some ribbing from early "Factor" promos that dinged "Idol" for its shiny, happy attitude, all seems well in "Idol"-ville. The first glimpse of Lopez is of her designer shoes, as the camera pans out and we see more freshly-scrubbed faces singing and busting moves on an Pleasantburg, U.S.A. Hollywood set.

The poppy, acoustic soundtrack (sample lyric, "anything is possible"), soars into lite rock territory when Tyler spots a garage band (in a literal, cul-de-sac garage!) jamming out as he waves them to join his legion of primary color t-shirt-wearing minions. Check the promo out, after the jump! Read More...

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With 'The X Factor' Looming, Here's A Breakdown Of All The Reality Singing Competitions

Posted 9/16/11 2:15 pm EST by in American Idol, Television


After months of hype and headlines, Simon Cowell’s "X Factor" is finally debuting in America next week. The question is: Will anyone care?

In the past year, our DVRs have been filled to the max with reality singing competitions, from the revamped (J. Lo on a kinder, gentler "American Idol") to the remixed ("The Voice" has swivel chairs, you guys) to the reviled (ugh, "Karaoke Battle USA"). These days, the casual TV viewer needs a doctorate in “Reality TV” to keep track of all the various karaoke contests.

So, as a public service to fellow confused and overwhelmed TV addicts, I’ve broken down all the shows that are sure to feature overwrought renditions of Alicia Keys' songs and judges sipping from sponsored soda cups. (Example: "Idol" is Coke, "X Factor" is Pepsi. "The Sing Off" is…Coke 2?)

Practice your scales, warm up your pipes and dig in!

American Idol

"American Idol"
Season 11 premieres on Fox in January
Premise: Small town folks with big voices get plucked from obscurity
Weepy Judge: J Lo, although we’re not buying it
Hard Ass Judge: Randy, although we’re not buying it
Token Genre Judge: Rock legend Steven Tyler, although we’re not sure he knows that he’s on television half the time
Host’s Greatest Asset: Seacrest’s bank account.
Guest mentors: Ranging from the A-list (OH MY GAGA!) to the A-list…from the '90s (Babyface!)
Prize: $1 million contract with Universal; destined to play state fairs for years to come
Do the Judges Mentor: Nope. Nor do they judge. Everyone’s brilliant and amazing!
Ratings: #1 show on TV, performance shows averaged almost 26 million viewers a week!
Age Range: 15-29
Recent Backstage Drama: Producers bickering in the press with Simon Cowell, J.Lo contract negotiations, PIA TOSCANO AND MARK BALLAS SPLIT OMG.
Biggest Star(s): The Holy Idol Trinity of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry.

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Does 'American Idol' 'Mask' The Sexuality Of Its Contestants? (Poll)

Posted 8/16/11 3:45 pm EST by in American Idol, Newsroom Poll


Adam Levine

So you thought there wouldn’t be any mudslinging between “American Idol” and “The Voice” and the two singing competitions would co-exist in a weird sort of harmony? Well, you were mistaken.

“The Voice” judge Adam Levine has hit out at “Idol” in an interview with Out magazine, implying Fox’s hit singing competition keeps its gay contestants in the closet.

“What's always pissed me off about 'Idol' is wanting to mask that, for that to go unspoken," Levine told Out. "C'mon. You can't be publicly gay? At this point? On a singing competition? Give me a break. You can't hide basic components of these people's lives. The fact that 'The Voice' didn't have any qualms about being completely open about it is a great thing."

Levine does make a valid point. There were several openly gay contestants on “The Voice” this season and that fact was often celebrated and certainly not covered up. And yes, the two most prominent gay contestants to find fame on “Idol” – Clay Aiken and Adam Lambert – waited, for one reason or another, until after their tenure on the show to publicly declare their sexuality. But was that because they were forced to keep it under wraps by “Idol” producers?

(Levine also should be a little more careful when casting stones. After all, two of his three fellow “Voice” judges, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton, found themselves at the center of homophobia accusations in recent months. Just saying.)

So what do you think, dear readers? Does “American Idol” “mask” the sexuality of its contestants? Vote in our poll, after the jump. Read More...

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Pia Toscano Got A Record Deal, But How Are The Other Ninth Place 'Idols' Faring?

Posted 7/6/11 4:42 pm EST by in American Idol


Pia Toscano

The news of Pia “I Got Voted Off ‘Idol’ Way Early And All I Got Was This Awesome Record Deal” Toscano joining Interscope’s roster surprised no one, except maybe my cat Moo Shu. (Homegirl’s a Voice fan. She thinks Idol is so seven years ago.) Toscano already shattered records by being the lowest-placing Idol also-ran to nab a significant major label deal in the show’s ten year history. (She was ninth! NINTH, I say!)

While we wait to see whether Pia becomes the next Jennifer Hudson or Kristy Lee Cook, let’s look back at the careers of previous ninth-place finishers to see how they’ve fared.

Season One: Jim Verraros
Jim was our inaugural “token sob story” contestant, and he parlayed his name recognition into movie roles in popular gay indie flicks. (Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds might be my fave sequel title since Electric Boogaloo.) He waited three years post-Idol to release his clubby dance album, Rollercoaster, and its lead single “You Turn It On” just missed hitting the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Chart. When MTV News caught up with him last, he talked openly about surviving the Idol bubble. “You get out there and realize, ‘Wow, I don’t have a lot of credibility even though I became a household name in nine weeks.’ You are forgotten just as fast,” he said.

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Kara DioGuardi Catches MTV Staff Off Guard With Sense Of Humor

Posted 6/16/11 8:42 am EST by in American Idol


Kara DioGuardi

By Morgan Schwartz

Kara DioGuardi strolled into MTV News yesterday in a pair of black plastic flip flops. A weird choice of shoes? At first, I thought so. But after listening to her candidly (and hilariously) talk about her experiences and seeing how laid back and open she was, the shoes seemed a perfect fit.

I first got to know Kara when she judged American Idol in its eighth and ninth seasons. As a hardcore Idol fan, I must say, having a seemingly random woman walk on and upset the balance of Randy, Simon and Paula really pissed me off. But Kara won me over pretty quickly and I became an admirer.

Always looking hot, Kara proved to be a provider of some pretty good feedback (or at least better than her female counterpart Paula, who always seemed to be, um, a little out of it). But I still had no idea where her expertise came from. And though I learned she was a songwriter, I had no idea how much she actually did. Until today.

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'American Idol' Champ Scotty McCreery Makes A Plea To The College Board

Posted 6/1/11 2:13 pm EST by in American Idol


You learn a lot by being on "American Idol." You get shown the music biz ropes by the finest in the business, are offered the opportunity to perform for the biggest audience on television every week and oh, yeah, if you're season 10 champ Scotty McCreery you also get a fat recording contract and a chance to live your life-long dream of being a country superstar.

But try telling that to your high school teacher. While "Idol" runner-up Lauren Alaina got to go back home to Georgia to attend her brother's graduation, McCreery had to fly home to Garner, North Carolina to take a final exam in the midst of his celebration.
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Kris Allen Talks New Music, Shares 'American Idol' Secrets

Posted 5/26/11 3:49 pm EST by in American Idol


By James Dinh, with additional reporting by Jim Cantiello

TLC, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga were just some of the star-studded names that graced the "American Idol" stage on Wednesday night, but there were also a slew of former season contestants in the house too, including season-eight winner Kris Allen.

Always a friend to MTV News, the 25-year-old singer/songwriter gave our resident "Idol" expert Jim Cantiello a tease at what his new tunes sound like in three words: "soulful, weightier and organic."
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'American Idol' Predictions Results: Scotty Rewards Our Faith

Posted 5/26/11 12:39 pm EST by in American Idol


There are no sure things in life, but Scotty McCreery winning "American Idol" on Wednesday night was about as close as it comes.

The self-assured, bullfrog-voiced good ol' boy from Garner, North Carolina, had a Ruben Studdard-like untouchable march through the finals that couldn't be stopped by the strongest force of all: a blatant heart-string pulling "I love my mama" song from rival teen Lauren Alaina.

And, after a dismal season of prognosticating in which none of our experts could come within Skoal-spittin' distance of .500, we finally all got it right for once. (Even if it feels like getting one of those participation trophies kids get these days just for showing up.)
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'American Idol' Performance Finale: We're Live-Blogging Now!

Posted 5/24/11 7:44 pm EST by in American Idol


Randy Jackson nicknamed "American Idol" season 10 "The Remix." As the Simon-less cycle starts its final descent, and as teenage country singers Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina compete on TV one last time, it's clear that Randy's premonition was 100% accurate. (At this point I should mention that I think remixes are often endless, repetitive, lazy cash grabs, more about the producer than the original artist.)

At this point, I'd urge everyone to raise your seat backs to their full, upright position. Failure to do so will result in you falling asleep within eight minutes. Unless you're a country fan, this will be the most boring "Idol" finale since Katharine McPhee sat down to sing "Over the Rainbow" for the 900th time.

But wait! What's this? A carefully worded post on TMZ hinting that Lauren Alaina may be too sick to perform and producers are scrambling to reinstate third-placer Haley Reinhart in the eleventh hour? Damn you, "Idol"! All the jokes I prepared about Smirky McSmirky versus Lauren Alaina and her ageless wonder of a mother will have to be tossed.

But relax, Lauren Alaina fans. I'm all but certain that this was a last-minute attempt to drum up publicity and get some extra eyeballs on Fox at 8 p.m. But either way, keep your chin up. Because I vow to make our two-night "Idol" finale viewing as fun as possible! I'll be live-blogging every Scotty smirk, every Steven Tyler expletive and every sighting of the true star of "Idol" this year: Mama Alaina.

So join me as we, as a nation, decide who is truly "in it to win it." Will Scotty's front-runner status bite him in the (illegal in most states) ass the way it did Crystal Bowersox and Adam Lambert? Will Lauren finally (FINALLY!) live up to the potential we all saw back in her Nashville audition? Will Haley fans rejoice as their fave gets thrown into the finale last minute? Will Randy Jackson rival BetaMax as the most useless part of pop culture from the past 50 years?

Let's find out, together! The live blog kicks off a little before 8 p.m. ET. If you're on the West Coast, wait three hours or else you'll be spoiled. While you wait for the fun to begin, catch up on season 10's shenanigans with my "Idol in 60 Seconds" recaps, embedded above.

7:49 p.m.: So much last minute dramaz! So TMZ (who appeared on "Idol" this season, just a reminder) is reporting that Lauren is going to drop out of the finale, giving 3rd placer Haley Reinhart a shot at the title. TV Guide says Lauren IS performing. TVLine's Michael Slezak has an exclusive that Haley Reinhart is currently rehearsing. I've heard that although Lauren is sick, she is "in it to win it" tonight. Whew!

7:53 p.m.: Seven minutes until millions of Haley Reinhart fans are disappointed!

7:55 p.m.: What will happen first on tonight's "Idol" finale? Scotty McCreery will make a scary face or Lauren Alaina will call Seacrest "peaches?" Answer: I miss Naima Adedapo.

7:57 p.m.: Full disclosure: tonight I'm live-blogging from MTV's Santa Monica office. I'll be "Glee-capping" later, so I couldn't go to the Nokia tonight. But tomorrow I'll be all up on "Idol's" red carpet AND live-blogging from on site.

7:59 p.m.: T-minus sixty seconds before J. Lo guest stars on "Howdy Doody!"

8:00 p.m.: The show begins with creepy childhood footage of Carrie Underwood and David Cook. Even scarier: a shot of Scotty's audition flip flops and Lauren's B-52's "Cosmic Thing" inspired satin top. The horrors!

8:01 p.m.: An eight-year old Scotty McCreery introduces himself as an "Idol" winner. Damn, Nigel Lythgoe's been pimping this kid as a winner way longer than we thought!

8:02 p.m.: Oh my heck, David Archuleta's in the audience!

8:03 p.m.: Ryan Seacrest is wearing his Emmys tux. "Idol" goes green! #Recycling

8:04 p.m: In "Things I Could Have Told You Four Months Ago" News: Lauren Alaina's mom is wearing animal print to the finale.

8:04 p.m.: America, meet "Idol's" Dr. Spaceman! His name is actually Dr. Nuzhatmansomething, but he has as much credibility as Chris Parnell's "30 Rock" character.

8:05 p.m.: First round is Contestant's Favorite from the Season. (More recycling!) Scotty is reprising "Gone," but giving it an angry swagger. I'd be angry too if the first five minutes of a competition was dedicated to making the audience feel bad for my opponent.

8:07 p.m.: Scotty's "angry face" reminds me of when my four year old nephew isn't allowed to watch "Scooby Doo."

8:08 p.m.: We're not going to hear what the judges have to say about Scotty's first performance? I guess "Idol" producers finally realized what viewers have been saying for months: these judges are useless.

8:10 p.m.: Commercial break #1 reveals my beautiful dark twisted fantasy: I'm 99% sure I could eat a Taco Bell 12-pack by myself.

8:11 p.m.: Lauren Alaina's pick is "Flat On The Floor." She began the song being raised on a platform. Perhaps she'll change the lyrics to "Flat On The Stage Mechanisms" instead?

8:13 p.m.: Lauren sounds awesomely hoarse during some sassy high notes. I like sick Lauren!

8:14 p.m.: Round one is a tie. Sorry guys, all country music sounds the same to me. (Does that make me racist?)

8:15 p.m: Next round is Songs Picked By The Idol's Idol! We should all be thankful that James Durbin did not make the finale because his idol, WWE champ The Miz, would have picked something off of "Macho Man" Randy Savage's hip hop album. Shudder.

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