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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...

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!

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.

By Cara Alwill

David Cook

To quote an '80s hit, "American Idol" champ David Cook always feels like somebody's watching him.

In a recent MySpace plea, Cook begged fans to respect his privacy while on tour, according to People.com. In a blog titled "Attention," he wrote that "efforts by some fans to find our hotel rooms, call our hotel rooms, attach things to our bus, etc., is something I have to condemn." The reigning Idol warned fans that if their behavior continues, he may have to take strict security measures that will in turn limit their interaction with him.

"This relationship only works when it remains healthy for both parties," he continued, "and should this behavior continue, the only thing we can do is take more preventative measures to maintain our privacy, which in turn makes us less accessible to you."

Well, Cook always said he auditioned for the show on a whim and didn't have big dreams of stardom. Still, enjoy the attention while it lasts, David ...

David CookBy Matt Elias

L.A. Valley College's football stadium was the home field for "American Idol" winner David Cook's video, "Light On." We spent the night on the 50-yard line as David shot his first video from his upcoming self-titled album, due out November 18. Although he looked like he'd been doing it for years, David told us he felt really timid on his first take: "Obviously I don't have any experience — it's not like I grew up shooting music videos."
Read more...

David CookWe're not going to pretend we know what goes on in "American Idol" season-seven winner David Cook's swirly little head. But a peep at some of the song titles on his upcoming self-titled debut, due November 18, definitely made us say, "Huh?" (But first, a caveat: We have not heard the album at all.)

The first one that grabbed our attention was "Bar-ba-sol," which is either an homage to the original premium shave cream — in which case we applaud his blatant Chris Brown-like product placement at a time when musicians have to get their hustle on any way they can — or an homage to season-six pinup Antonella Barba, which we would also applaud.
Read more...

Mary Kate-OlsenIt seems safe to assume that "American Idol" runner-up David Archuleta is sprinting in the opposite direction from "Idol" champ David Cook. While the "Idol" winner is working with renowned rock producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls) and writing with members of the rock bands Our Lady Peace and Collective Soul, according to E! News Archadorable, 17, is hunkering down to work on songs for his debut with Rock Mafia Records, the Santa Monica, California-based production duo who have whacked out hits for Aly & AJ, Vanessa Hudgens, Mariah Carey and, most recently, Miley Cyrus with "7 Things."

An unnamed source told E! that Archuleta and his father/manager recently met with Mafia producers Antonia Armato and Tim James, and the Archuletas came away convinced that they should go "in that direction," hoping for a "Miley touch to the album." It will certainly make for a clash of the pop idol-versus-the budding rock star, as Archuleta's album is reportedly due to drop the same day as Cook's in November Archuleta is expected to record at least two songs with the Rock Mafia over the next two weeks, which his label hopes might yield the album's first singles. "David knows he needs to have a big radio hit, and Miley's producers are the closest thing he can get to a guarantee," the unnamed source told E!

A spokesperson for Archuleta could no be reached for comment at press time.

David CookGreen Day, My Chemical Romance, Eric Clapton ... David Cook? That's what Grammy-winning producer Rob Cavallo's résumé will look like soon. The man who helped make American Idiot and The Black Parade modern classics is dipping his toes into the "American Idol" pool, signaling one of two things: Either Cook is the real deal, or, well, a gig's a gig.

A rep for Cook's label, 19 Recordings/ RCA Records, told MTV News that Cavallo — who is currently in the studio with the Dave Matthews Band — has teamed up with the "Idol" winner to work on all of the songs on Cook's debut, which is due this fall.

Read more...

Shakira· Despite the recent departure of the man who started the whole mega-deal trend at Live Nation, it looks like Shakira may be the next artist to sign a multimillion-dollar pact with the touring giant. Reports say a deal worth a potential $70 million for the Latin star's touring, merchandising and recording could be wrapped before the end of the month.

· "American Idol" winner David Cook loves Hinder and, apparently, the boozy hard rockers love him right back. Singer Austin Winkler said he's a fan and would like to write some songs for Cook's debut album.

· Heidi Montag has done it again. "The Hills" star, who recently talked about wanting to record a Christian album, has followed up her ode to "Fashion" with an homage to ... drinking. The Britney-esque Euro club banger "One More Drink" features lines like "Sipping on that happy juice," "I'm drinking on that Goose" and "I'm getting lost in this liquid high."

Read more...

Archuleta

So I'm back home in NY and finally on a normal sleep cycle. Hallelujah! And even though I had a three-day weekend to detox from "Idol," I still can't shake one thing I witnessed at last week's Grand Finale...

Nope, not Fantasia's awesome hair. Nope, not the fact that Ruben Studdard was really 9 feet tall in person. Actually, it didn't even happen on the red carpet. It occurred backstage in the press room, and I call it the David Personality Shift.

The two David's made their way to a podium to answer a few questions. First came the Cookster, who just 30 minutes earlier was crowned America's Next Top Clive Davis Slave. We were all expecting him to be over the moon with excitement, or maybe he'd still be crying like he was on TV. (He did, after all, just win a crazy-popular reality show.) But, nope. He waltzed up to the mic, mumbled a few words about his music teacher, then politely smiled and walked off. A few of us turned to each other and said, "He knows he just won, right?" Was it dawning on him that it might be tough for him to break out of the "Idol" mold? Or maybe it just hit him that his first single was a steaming pile of goo? Or, most likely, he was just damn exhausted, and would rather chill with his family (standing backstage waiting for him) than answer silly questions about fashion accessories. (Yes, stupid tabloid reporter who drove everyone nuts. I'm looking at you.)

Conversely, there was ArchuRunnerUp, who haters bashed for his awkward "gosh's" and giggle fits. Several of my co-workers have been "creeped out" by how he often acted like an eleven-year-old boy, as opposed to a seventeen-year-old dude. Well, based on the few minutes I witnessed in the press room, Archuleta was a shockingly mature, well-spoken young man. He finished all his sentences; he didn't gasp for air more than John Goodman on a staircase; he didn't shrug and turn away from the camera like a Harajuku girl. In other words, he came off like the complete opposite he did while on the telly. And he...had...tons of personality! Where was this Archuleta all season long???

Could it be that losing "Idol" was the best thing that could happen to this kid's emotional growth? Was he just freezing on camera all season because of the intense pressure? (Or was he just relieved to finally get away from Seacrest?)

I wonder if this personality shift happened with the other "Idol" contestants. Maybe, behind the scenes, Brooke White was sane, Jason Castro clever, and Syesha Mercado, uh, likeable...?