By Sabrina Rojas Weiss

While many "American Idol" fans are still reeling from last night's results, some of us aren't so concerned with how America voted. Because for us, the more important aspect of the finale show was its spectacle. Rather, its many spectacles.

In the following list of our 10 favorite insane outfits to grace the Nokia Theatre stage, you'll notice Kris Allen is missing. It takes more than a sweet smile and a black leather jacket to rank #1 here:

1. Adam Lambert attempts to out-glam KISS. I can't be the only one to let out a squeal when I saw those metal shoulder pad/wings, accompanied by jeweled eye-liner and jacket that may or may not have been skinned from a crocodile. I wonder how the Middle America vote would've gone if he'd worn this on Tuesday night? Read more...

Does anyone really need to hear yet another "American Idol" contestant sing "Turn the Beat Around"? Tonight's disco theme is another reminder that "Idol" has begun to scrape the bottom of the barrel when it comes to theme nights.

Last year's theme weeks included the first trip through the Lennon/McCartney songbook, another "Year They Were Born" night, as well as the rehash of inspirational songs, a Neil Diamond night and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame themes. In years past, we've had nights devoted to the British Invasion, American classics, Bon Jovi, Queen, love songs and Elvis Presley. All fine themes, but at this point, the show is running on fumes when it comes to mixing things up.

I understand that there are always issues with getting songs cleared for the program, but how about a few unsolicited suggestions for spicing things up?
Read more...

The big question for "American Idol" fans this year was: How will new judge Kara DioGuardi fit in? Will she ruin the treacherous three's signature chemistry? Will she clash with alpha female Paula Abdul? Will she add anything to the panel's comments to contestants?

So far, the answers to those last three questions are no, no and yes. Forget the alleged feud between Kara and Paula — which Abdul recently denied following comments that appeared to suggest that she thought a fourth judge was unnecessary. The real bubbling cauldron of seething contempt is just one seat down.

Over the past two weeks, it's become hard to ignore that after an initially flirtatious relationship between Kara and Simon Cowell — highlighted in their playful bickering during the San Francisco auditions — the two judges appear to be headed for a major blowup.

In San Francisco, Cowell appeared to be doing some light hazing when he kept hounding Kara for a yes or no when her critiques went on and on, repeatedly interrupting her comments and contradicting them. Read more...

It typically takes a few weeks, sometimes months, before "American Idol" has its first naughty-picture scandal of the season. Two seasons ago, Antonella Barba made it all the way to the top 24 before being eliminated for her subpar singing just a few weeks after a series of suggestive pictures of her made headlines.

And now, just two episodes in, Casey Carlson has set some kind of "Idol" record for being, um, exposed as a bikini model for a Web site called Campus Girls USA. The 20-year-old singer, who was seen on the Wednesday night episode of the show, took a detour to the Virgin Islands before going to Los Angeles for the Hollywood round to shoot a series of sexy shots for a site that promotes "82 Gorgeous College Students." Read more...

By Katie Byrne

We all know Simon Cowell has produced dozens of successful TV shows, Paula Abdul had her pop-star and Laker Girl days, and Randy Jackson won't let us forget who he's worked with (Mariah Carey, Journey ... the list goes on).

But who is Kara DioGuardi and why was she picked to be the fourth judge on "American Idol"? Here are some things you should know about DioGuardi — from the singer/songwriter herself — before settling in for tonight's two-hour premiere:

She Knows Her Way Around a Diva
"I've worked with a lot of these singers that are out there that are great, from Christina to Pink to Celine Dion. I've been in the studio with them when they've actually recorded songs that we've co-written. And I've worked very closely with them in both listening to how they interpret the songs we've written and giving them guidance and support."

She's Still Hard at Work on Non-"Idol" Business
"I haven't slept today. I was working with Colbie Caillat in Hawaii, so I've been up almost 48 hours now. She's just great. I love her voice. To listen to her sing is such a pleasure, and she has such a great tonal quality and such emotion in her voice."

She Had a Hand in Kelly Clarkson's Biggest Album
"I had a very close relationship with Kelly. I co-wrote six songs on Breakaway and co-produced 'Walk Away.' I love Kelly, because I could just sing anything or tell her to sing anything, and she could sing it. She was feisty. She put her personality into the songs, and for the style of writing that I was doing at the time, that rock/pop angsty stuff, she was just perfect. And she was great to co-write with, and I had an incredible experience with her."

She's Dying to Work With Daughtry
"I really like Daughtry. I would love to co-write with him. At one point, it looked like he was going to do a duet on a song that I had written, but it never happened. So, if he's out there and he wants to do a co-write, please call me!"

She Already Has Her Signature "Idol" Line
"I would say right now my line that I would tell these kids is 'Be you. Don't try to be anybody but you.' "

How do you think Kara will fit in on the judging panel? Let us know!