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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' Recap: Lacey Brown, Didi Benami And 'Countryleta' Aaron Kelly Have Potential

Posted 2/4/10 9:08 am EST by in Music, Television


On Wednesday night, the endless parade of costumed wannabes and ham-fisted sob stories came to an end as "American Idol" aired its final audition episode of the season. By my count, season nine has yielded two divorces, 26 foster families, two syndromes (Tourette's and Downs), one Alzheimer's, two cancer survivors, one Austistic child, one paralyzed face and a reformed bank robber, yet only one true breakout star: "Pants on the Ground" sensation General Larry Platt. And that dude isn't even eligible for the competition!

Gee, "Idol" producers, you think it's time to revamp these audition episodes?

Thankfully, Wednesday night's final helping — a hodgepodge of leftover tryouts from every city they visited — was packed with talented singers, some of whom I could even imagine at the Kodak Theater, singing a song about obstacles, fortitude and earthquakes.


My favorite was redhead crooner Lacey Brown, who made "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" sound like I was hearing it for the first time in my life. It was smoky, smooth and sophisticated, and I've re-watched it more than any other audition this season. (It also helps that Lacey looks like she could be the granddaughter of "Mad Men" character Joan Holloway.) Last year, it came down to Lacey and Megan Joy in the Top 36. Here's hoping Lacey's unique, jazzy voice will hold up more than Megan's quirky squawk should she make it past Hollywood this year.

Lacey wasn't the only familiar face returning to "Idol" land. I spotted Amy Winehouse wannabe Frankie Jordan (now with bangs!), a quick shot of hippie Rose Flack and some random tanorexic girl who was more orange than Snooki in a basketball costume. The most notable repeat customer was Jessica Furney, who sucked up to Simon by performing "Footprints in the Sand," a Leona Lewis song he co-wrote. I remember falling in love with Jessica in season eight, mostly because of hilarious Grandma Furney. But this year, Grandma Furney was nowhere to be found, and although Jessica showed off a great makeover, her audition was the equivalent to "Police Academy 5." In theory, you want to like it, but without Mahoney there, the magic's gone. (Jessica made it to Hollywood, so perhaps we'll at least get an explanation of Grandma Furney's whereabouts! I need to know!)

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Stephanie Pratt Loves 'MTV Detox: The Hills'!

Posted 5/26/09 6:45 pm EST by in Detox


First Kris Allen, now Stephanie Pratt.

Last week while I was in Los Angeles covering the "Idol" finale (and getting props from the recent winner), a familiar face from "The Hills" left me a message on my Facebook wall praising my other recap endeavor for MTV, "MTV Detox: The Hills." Keeping the punctuation intact, Spencer's sister wrote: "great show! great job! i love to laugh at myself- i hate when people take the show so damn serious... give me a break people! Lauren conrads job is being Lauren Conrad. i am in no way 'ruining her internship at peoples revolution' so everyone needs to calm down! thanks for making the show funny! xoxoxoxo."

First of all, I love how the only thing she capitalizes is Lauren's name, as if LC were a deity. Amazing. Second of all, how awesome is that message?! It says a lot that she has a sense of humor about herself.

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We're Live-Blogging The 'American Idol' Finale!

Posted 5/20/09 8:11 pm EST by in American Idol, Live Blog


Hi guys - sorry I'm late. I was busy talking to Paula Abdul on the red carpet. SERIOUSLY. More on that later…

But for now, it's time to live-blog the "American Idol" finale! Yay!

8:01 pm - Seacrest is introducing the judges with fun little montage that reminds us why they're the worst judges on television. Also, Randy Jackson borrowed a bow-tie from (Mrs.) J. Alexander on "America's Next Top Model."

8:06 pm - What's the worst part about being an "Idol" finalist? Having to sing songs about mountains and hurricanes or being forced to wear all white on the finale? At least Adam's wearing space boots.

8:06 pm - Mikalah Gordon is in Conway, Arkansas. This is the first time they've seen a real live drag queen. It's a night of firsts!!

8:07 pm - Carly Smithson is in San Diego. Oh no! Has Carly already become Mikalah Gordon-famous?

8:08 pm - The top 13 (remember that?!) are singing Pink's "So What." Although they edited out all the lyrics about ex-husbands and liquor. Also, if you mute your telelvision you can hear all of America saying "Oh yeah, remember Jorge and Jasmine?"

8:10 pm - Dear Michael Sarver, stop being a camera-whore. You're not the one we're tuning in for.

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Can Kris Allen Make It To The 'American Idol' Finale?

Posted 5/12/09 11:45 pm EST by in American Idol


It's a tight race to the "American Idol" finale finish line. There's no Syesha Mercado easy target here in season eight's top three. Nope, all three contestants have viable fanbases and oodles of talent. And after watching the top three perform judges' choice/ contestants' choice numbers, it's even harder to predict.

My terrible batting average hasn't stopped me from predicting in the past (I'm 0-3 right now, aren't I?), so let's break down the performance show and predict whose "Idol" journey will end tomorrow night.

Check out Jim Cantiello's video recap of tonight's 'Idol' episode below,
then read his predictions!


Going Home: Kris Allen
Kris delivered my favorite performance of the show. His acoustic take on Kanye West's "Heartless" is exactly the kind of memorable, buzzworthy showstopper that has America reaching for its collective TiVo remote. However, his first performance was a depressingly average paint-by-numbers "Apologize" by OneRepublic. Kara hoped he would flip it on its head, but instead he sat behind the piano and sang it like he was reading sheet music for the first time. His piano playing was shaky. His vocals were weak. His confidence was non-existent. His chances at making it to the finale ... flushed down the toilet. Read More...

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

Posted 5/12/09 7:52 pm EST by in American Idol, Live Blog


Jim Cantiello

Tonight's "American Idol" live-blog is dedicated to Allison Iraheta, my personal Idol. In honor of the recent oustee, I expect all of you to refuse to give me any credit I might deserve in this live-blog. Your comments should be comprised of backhanded compliments, faint praise and "that ones" while you over-praise other bloggers who are lazy and aren't deserving of their unstoppable success. Deal?

Check out Jim Cantiello's video recap of the show below!

We now resume with our regularly scheduled live-blog.

And then there were two...with a third wheel.

Yes, in a season that's felt as endless as "The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons", the finale is approaching faster than Kara can say "Here's the thing..."

The three remaining contestants had their hometown visits last week, which I imagine was a great morale booster. Although we all know one contestant doesn't need any more help in the ego department. (I'm refraining from typing His name tonight unless I absolutely positively have to. Still bitter about His inexplicable survival despite squawking one of the worst, insultingly dismissive performances in "Idol" history last week. But I'm glad He thought it was SO FUNNY!)

Don't worry, His fans. I'm taking a chill pill. This isn't the Bash The Guy Who Delivered A Subpar Performance For His Hometown Fans Live-blog. This is the "American Idol" Live-blog. And if He performs well tonight, I'll be a big boy and give him props. He will, after all, probably win this thing next week. (His fanbase is more rabid than Old Yeller. Pun intended.)

So let's get right to it! The live-blogging begins...now.

7:51 pm - Miss last week's Rockfest? Check out the latest "Idol in 60 Seconds" here.

7:58 pm - Almost there... Why do I get so nervous before every "Idol" episode? I need a life.

7:59 pm - Sigh. Paula just tweeted about Danny Gokey's song choices tonight. She didn't tweet any of the other contestants' song choices. FAVORITISM ALERT!

8:00 pm - 15 seconds in and Seacrest already spouts a grammar error. "These are your bottom 3!" Shouldn't it be "This is your bottom 3?"

8:01 pm - Groan. Seacrest just called the top three "The Three Amigos." Adam is definitely Steve Martin, the genius. Kris the teacup is definitely Martin Short. And Voldemort is DEFINITELY Chevy Chase.

8:03 pm - Danny Gokey is up first - in the death spot! Paula picked Terence Trent Darby's "Dance Little Sister." I have newfound respect for Paula. Terence Trent D'Arby is a guy who ruined his career by his massive ego. (Dude actually said his debut album was better than "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Uh-huh.)

8:04 pm - Oof. This is rough. He is shouting, and he keeps going sharp.

8:05 pm - Stanley from "The Office" is now on stage laying out a saxophone solo. Remember when pop music featured saxophone solos? Ah, the good old days.

8:06 pm - This song sucks. I feel bad that Paula saddled Gokey with this clunker.
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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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'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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We're Live-Blogging The Top Seven (Again) 'American Idol' Performances!

Posted 4/21/09 7:54 pm EST by in American Idol, Live Blog


Jim Cantiello

Old people, rejoice! “American Idol” is taking us back to the good ol’ days of bellbottoms and key parties and dinosaurs. It’s DISCO NIGHT on “American Idol” and I’ll be live-blogging every groovy second of it.

MTV News’ disappointment in “Idol” selecting a genre that’s as dated as Paula Abdul’s pop culture debut is well-documented. But it’s no fun if all we do is complain so let’s look at the bright side of tonight’s (Absurd! Heinous! Disastrous! Pointless! Obsolete! Despicable! God-awful!) theme.

First of all, Paula will be choreographing the group number in tomorrow night’s results show. I don’t recall Paula ever doing The Hustle with MC Skat Cat, so I’m not entirely sure why she chose disco week to jump back on the choreography horse, but hell, I’m still excited for it.

Second of all, Lil Rounds might actually choose a good song for her voice! Who am I kidding? She’s going to pick Bette Midler’s disco version of “Strangers in the Night” just to prove that deep down inside she’s really a sassy white woman with an affinity for bad wigs.

Lastly, disco night will force the contestants to pick uptempo tracks. Last week’s movie night was a non-stop barrage of ballads. And, thankfully, Bryan Adams has never released a disco tune. Oh crap, I’m just remembering that he did do disco when he was 19 years old. (If someone sings “Let Me Take You Dancing” I might have to stab myself.)

There I go with the negativity again.

Before I threaten self-mutilation again, let’s get to the live-blogging.

7:50 pm – Missed last week’s “shocking” use of the Judges’ Save? Catch up real quick with the latest “Idol in 60 Seconds” recap.

7:53 pm – 7 minutes to go. Don’t mind me. I’m bidding on Adam Lambert crap that wackadoodles are selling on Ebay. This floor mat might be my favorite, not only because of the grammatical error but also because something tells me ONLY boys would be allowed in Adam’s room.

8:00 pm - The show is opening with a crazy intense super-tease that feels like it belongs on "Survivor." My heart is racing. The Judges' Save was "Idol history," according to history. Yeah, it was historically stupid. We all know Matt is going home again this week.

8:01 pm - Vince Neil is in the audience! He loves the Judges' Save! I also imagine he's a fan of Adam Lambert's voice-work, since Lambert is ripping off hair metal vocalists every week.

8:02 pm - So, this is odd. Even though last week's show ran crazy long, and even though we still have seven singers, the show is still going to be an hour long.

8:03 pm - Interesting! They cut the pre-performance interview taped pieces. Good call producers!

8:03 pm - Also, they're having Lil Rounds kick off the show, which means she'll probably get kicked off tomorrow. Good call producers!

8:04 pm - Lil Rounds is singing Chaka Kahn's "I'm Every Woman." I have two things to say. 1) Her skin-tight catsuit makes it look like she is hiding every single woman in her pants. Baby got back. And 2) She may be every woman, but her hairy armpits make her more like every man. Wow. Doesn't she know that hairy pits ruined Paula Cole's career 10+ years ago?

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