Category: American Idol (91-100 of 1270)

Apr 21 2011 02:11 PM ET

'American Idol': The judges were (finally) critical! Will it affect who goes home tonight?

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Image Credit: Michael Becker/Fox

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! The judges on American Idol finally — finally! — had less-than-glowing things to say! Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson weren’t happy with Scotty McCreery’s song choice — and Steven Tyler wished he’d done more boot scooting! Haley Reinhart’s take on Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” was met with tepid response! And Jennifer Lopez said Jacob Lusk needed to get more control of his emotions, while Randy Jackson said Jacob Lusk need to let go of all of his emotions! SO MANY EXCLAMATION POINTS! Yes, some of it didn’t exactly make sense in the way it barely adhered to basic logic and reasoning, but at least it wasn’t just an endless ocean of you’re beautifuls, you’re a great performers, and you did yous and we love thats.

But here’s the pressing question now: Will the judges’ negative critiques actually affect the voting? Will Scotty, Haley, and Jacob find themselves teetering on the silver stools of doom? And who will ultimately go home? Vote in the polls below, and then defend your choices in the comments:  READ FULL STORY »

Apr 21 2011 11:26 AM ET

'American Idol': Last night's most unnecessary moment? Poll!

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Image Credit: Michael Becker/Fox

What was the most unnecessary moment during last night’s American Idol? The nominees are:

• Paul being forced to sing Pink’s “So What” in a group number with the rest of the fallen. Would anyone have minded if it had just been a ladies’ number/reason to bring back Pia? I don’t think so. That’s what I thought it was until Paul walked out.

• Randy Jackson’s diva-gloved preface to Jacob: “Just to help you, because I think critique really helps everyone really, me, all of us… ” You know how little critiquing Randy has actually done this season if he felt the need to say that when we’re down to seven contestants.

• Ryan Seacrest’s non-interview with Mark Ballas. Who’s his favorite this season? Casey. “That’s a curveball!”

• Casey kissing Jennifer Lopez on the cheek. I’d like to know if it was pre-planned. If he just intended to end the song singing in her face and inspiration to pucker up hit him when she turned her cheek toward him so he could whisper the final notes in her ear, it was tolerable. If he’d rehearsed it in his mind, it was gimmicky and he’s better than that. (For the record, vocal coach Debra Byrd says the kiss wasn’t pre-planned.)

• Steven dropping the F-bomb after Casey’s performance when he had plenty of time to think about what he was going to say because Jennifer and Randy offered their “critiques” first (and when, frankly, those high notes James hit were more deserving of it).

Poll below! READ FULL STORY »

Apr 21 2011 10:25 AM ET

Jennifer Lopez launches new reality series. Should she return to 'Idol' next season?

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It’s only been one season, but, honestly, now that Jennifer Lopez has proven to be an apt, attentive, and charming judge, I can’t imagine an American Idol without her. (As Steven Tyler would say, she’s simply “beautiful” on the reality series.) So I can’t help but feel a bit nervous hearing about her new Idol-esque reality show with husband Marc Antony, in which the pair search Latin America for the best undiscovered singing talent. (EW exclusively broke news of the series, tentatively titled Que Viva.) Since The Most Beautiful Woman in the World is signed on for only one season of Idol, does this mean she could part ways with the Fox hit? Not necessarily: As EW’s James Hibberd reports, it’s likely that Lopez could pull double duty, since Idol hasn’t kept other judges from pursuing their own passion projects. (See: Randy Jackson and America’s Best Dance Crew.) Still, it begs the question: Should J.Lo return to Idol next season? READ FULL STORY »

Apr 21 2011 06:47 AM ET

'American Idol' behind the scenes: 'Idol' coaches talk the Top 7 -- EXCLUSIVE

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Image Credit: Michael Becker/Fox; Kevin Winter/Getty Images (2)

From James Durbin’s militaristic take on Muse’s “Uprising” to Jacob Lusk’s shaky start with Luther Vandross’ “Dance with My Father,” once again, American Idol vocal coach and arranger Debra Byrd and associate music director and arranger Michael Orland are here to give their peerless insights into the Idol Top 7′s attempt at 21st century music. For a decade, Byrd and Orland have been on the front lines with the contestants, from Hollywood Week to the grand finale in May. The two work with the contestants on their respective songs, helping them shine on the Idol stage and in front of a national TV audience. Check out their thoughts on Wednesday night’s performance show below:  READ FULL STORY »

Apr 21 2011 05:27 AM ET

'American Idol': Steven Tyler's F-bomb and Jacob Lusk's musical snafu, on the scene of Top 7 performance night

Of the many, many, many differences between Season 10 and Season 9 of American Idol, one of the most striking to me is how suddenly we’re all deeply interested in the dating lives of the contestants this year. As I made my way to my seat in the Idoldome last night, I overheard one woman say with great concern and earnestness, “I just don’t know how he met Nikki Reed.” And the two women with pleasant perfume seated next to me — one a big Haley fan, the other a big Casey fan, with the clear impression that there was a heated debate over glasses of Chardonnay about who was better — were all too happy to point out to me that Dancing With the Stars pro Mark Ballas and his father Corky were both seated in the front row in “very dapper” looking suits. READ FULL STORY »

Apr 20 2011 08:00 PM ET

'American Idol': Discuss 'Songs from the 21st Century,' J. Lo's hair, Steven's outfit, etc.

Update: Annie’s recap is live

Sorry Randy! Guess I just didn’t have enough room in my headline. Good on you. Good on you. Now that we’ve debated which songs the Top 7 should sing for ‘Songs from the 21st Century’ Night, it’s time to watch our young contenders fling themselves at the feet of the three Fates… and then gossip about ‘em! We can also dream that the judges will actually judge this week, but let’s not get ridiculous.

Chat here about American Idol‘s 90-minute performance show, then come back later for my full recap and a detailed on-the-scene report from Adam B. Vary and his trusty sidekick Smirkelstilskin. THIS! Is Entertainment Weekly.

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Exclusive on-the-scene ‘Idol’ reports

Apr 20 2011 03:40 PM ET

'American Idol': What should the Top 7 sing for 21st century week? What should they avoid?

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Image Credit: Michael Becker/Fox

Danger, American Idol contestants, danger! You’re about to enter “Songs from the 21st century” week, territory fraught with peril on all sides. The temptation: To sing major hit songs readily familiar to most of the viewing audience. The danger: That those songs are too readily familiar to most of the viewing audience and/or those songs are not exactly engineered as vocal showcases. That said, there are some recent hits our Idol Top 7 could hit out of the park if done right given the right guidance — i.e. our completely unsolicited advice. Two rules, though, as we dive into what the finalists should sing (and should avoid at all costs): 1) No one should sing a song from a previous Idol winner or contestant, and 2) No one should sing Daniel Powter’s “Bad Day.” Forthwith, our picks:  READ FULL STORY »

Apr 20 2011 12:15 PM ET

What should Pia Toscano sing on 'Dancing With the Stars' next week?

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Image Credit: Ray Mickshaw/Fox

Where is ousted Idol contestant Pia Toscano’s broken heart set to go? Why, as we learned last night, right over to ABC’s studios to perform for next Tuesday’s Dancing With the Stars. Idol rejection doesn’t look so bad on the girl, huh? So, now, the key question is: What should the former Idol contestant sing? READ FULL STORY »

Apr 19 2011 06:32 PM ET

'American Idol' product placement: Does it distract from the show anymore?

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Image Credit: Michael Becker/Fox

Hey, PopWatchers, the sky is blue. And American Idol is the program with the most product placement on TV. Shocking, right? According to Ad Age, the competitive reality series has had 208 in-show appearances of products like Coca-Cola, Ford, and AT&T throughout the month of March. That makes Idol the “largest venue for product placement,” finishing ahead of runner-up Celebrity Apprentice, which clocked in with 127 product mentions. (The other surprise? America’s Next Top Model boasts just as many instances of product placement as The Biggest Loser: 88. Who would have thought one hour on The CW show would tie the two-hour product-a-thon that is NBC’s weight loss reality program?)

Reading this news made me wonder, simply: Do you even notice Idol‘s product placement anymore? READ FULL STORY »

Apr 15 2011 03:35 PM ET

'American Idol': Was Casey and Haley's 'Moanin' the best performance the season?

Considering the many missteps both Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart have taken throughout the season (see: Casey’s off-putting “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Haley’s wobbly “Blue“), it was quite a delight to see the contestants duet to the jazzy “Moanin’” during last night’s results show. Look at them! Both were in tune! Passionate! Fun! The performance demonstrated just how much stress factors into the competition: solo, Casey and Haley have the tendency to veer off-key, wander aimlessly on stage, and far too often rely on old tricks (which, for both, incidentally, is the angry growl). Together, during a no-consequences-attached performance, they knew exactly what to deliver: A well-plotted performance that truly showcased their smooth vocals and spoke to their undeniable, ahem, chemistry. (And, considering the song title, the angry growls actually made sense.) So, I ask you, PopWatchers: Was “Moanin’” the best performance of the season? (I’ll put it in second place in my book, below Casey’s undeniably gorgeous “Georgia On My Mind.”) Dare I say “Moanin’” even topped Idol‘s previous best duet of all time, Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta’s “Slow Ride”? (Ducks and covers.) Watch both performances after the jump and let me know what you think. READ FULL STORY »

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