American Idol

American Idol live-blogging and the latest news about Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and this season's contestants.

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Jamshid Mousavinezhad
Jamshid Mousavinezhad
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Anne Bratskeir is a freelance
Anne Bratskeir
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  • Ellen DeGeneres new 'American Idol' judge; fans rejoice

    Wednesday September 9, 2009 8:40 PM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

    Ellen DeGeneres,

    Ellen DeGeneres is "American Idol's" new judge replacing Paula Abdul, Fox announced during President Obama's health care speech tonight -- which the network chose not to carry.

    “I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol,” said DeGeneres, according to Fox's press release.

    ”I’ve watched since the beginning, and I’ve always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I’ll save from not having to text in my vote.”

    This is great; as I've blogged in past seasons, I think DeGeneres will make an ideal "Idol" judge -- she unabashedly loves the show (just like Paula), isn't afraid to get silly (like Paula), and can really dance (like Paula).

    -Thoughts? Reaction? Tell us in the comments, below, by clicking on 'Add a comment.

    -Click for 30 recent photos of the American Idol stars on their summer tour

    (AP file photo)

     

  • Did Paula Abdul make a historic mistake -- or did 'American Idol'?

    Wednesday August 5, 2009 4:35 PM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

    Paula Abdul, a judge on

    Adam Lambert may have just rocked DC on the "American Idol" summer tour, but all anyone's talking about is Paula Abdul's shocking Tweet that she's quitting TV's #1 show.

    I hope Paula's just putting the squeeze on Fox, playing hardball in contract talks with taping for next season starting Friday in Denver.

    Because's Paula's vital to "Idol." As I've written before, if Simon's the head of "Idol" with his no-nonsense comments, Paula's the heart with her love for the kids.

    And she's definitely getting a raw deal -- Simon made $36 million this year and is reportedly being offered $45 million; Ryan somehow cut a deal to start making $15 million per year (Randy's contract is up next season).

    So by Fox's own math, Paula -- the 2nd-best "player" on the team -- should be making at least $20 million -- anything less than 3rd-best (or 4th-best) Ryan is an insult.

    After all, "Idol" behind Simon-Paula is about to make television history: It's been the #1 rated show for five consecutive seasons, and as this Wikipedia entry illustrates, is about to break a tie with "All in the Family" for most seasons on top.

    As best as some coworkers and I can tell, the star of the current #1 TV show has never left. (The closest we could find was Lisa Bonet leaving "The Cosby Show" in 1987; but Denise was no Paula... more a Kara type).*

    Fox executives -- who have proven their stupidity by randomly messing with "Idol" over the years -- would have to be dumber than anyone else in TV history to risk this golden goose.

    I don't know, maybe they are.

    -Click here to see photos of Paula Abdul all glammed-up on "American Idol"

    -Until we get the commenting system on our new blog fixed, click here to send me an email directly with your opinion on Paula Abdul leaving/being forced off "American Idol" (and if you know of any other stars that left a TV show when it was #1).

    The comments we've gotten so far:

    -Caroline: I am a 70 year old psychology Ph.D. student who loves Paula. I think she is psychologically sound and is needed by the show for the show to be viable.

    -Mercando: Kara is no Paula and the show is doomed with 3 judges Kara,  Simon and Randy.  It will stink.

    -Darrin: Seriously dumb move.  I'm going to start a boycott American idol blog. Paula's a major piece of the puzzle.

    -Lynda: Please keep Paula. There is no show with out her. She is the angel for the show. The helps make things better. I will not watch it withour her. I do not like the new judge....Please get her back.......

    -Londa: You guys are idiots. The fake “replacement chick” can’t even write a decent song. What are you thinking? Fire the bad song writer and give paula her money.

    -Red: 1. Paula Abdul's salary not reflecting her value to the show is blatant evidence that women are still not being compensated on par with men in similar jobs. 2. McLean Stevenson (Col. Henry Blake) left M.A.S.H. while it was still a top hit show.

    -Ex-viewer Fran: Big mistake, really huge mistake, she is the show and it’s nothing but a guy thing one more time. First of all getting paid that kind a money to basically do nothing is outrageous but “it is what it is." Secondly why should Ryan and Simon get paid that much more money than Paula. Good for her i hope she stands her ground shes worth as much as the other judges is worth if not more. I have American idol night will a few of my friends every season. I will not be watching this year!!! Gee i thought woman and men are entitled to Equal pay what a concept!

    -Jon: I dont know what the real deal is. But I'm guessing Paula was forced out. That's their choice I guess. I dont think Kara was a good choice for the show. Her opinion always seemed to be whatever the person ahead of hers was. I think the show will now start to lose some of its audience and commercial value.

    -Julie: I seriously doubt I will watch again this season.  Kara and Randy make me ill.

    * Other stars who left shows near the top: Farrah Fawcett left "Charlie's Angels," Suzanne Somers left "Three's Company," Kirstie Alley/Shelley Long left "Cheers," Shannen Doherty left "90210," David Caruso left "NYPD Blue," George Cloonery left "ER."

    AP photo of Paula Abdul backstage following American Idol's finale in Los Angeles, June 5, 2009.

    Tags: Paula Abdul, American Idol, Simon Cowell, Adam Lambert, Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest

  • Adam Lambert in Rolling Stone: I'm gay, Kris Allen is hot

    Tuesday June 9, 2009 9:18 AM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

    Adam Lambert says he's gay in the new issue of Rolling Stone magazine, as the "American Idol" runner-up acknowledges Hollywood's worst-kept secret -- and then dishes about how attracted he was to his roommate on the show, Kris Allen.

    According to the AP -- where all of the quotes are from -- Adam says it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that he's gay. "I'm proud of my sexuality. I embrace it. It's just another part of me."

    Lambert's been photographed recently holding hands with a friend, which prompted Kris Allen to say -- according to People magazine -- "I think he's happier that he can be himself and it's nice."

    "Adam is who he is and he's not afraid. I support him in whatever he does."

    Adam had this to say about when he found out Kris was going to be his roommate on "Idol":

    “I was like, ‘Oh, (bleep), they put me with the cute guy,”’ Lambert says. “Distracting! He’s the one guy that I found attractive in the whole group on the show: nice, nonchalant, pretty and totally my type — except that he has a wife. I mean, he’s open-minded and liberal, but he’s definitely 100 percent straight.”
    Ha! Imagine the scandal if something had happened between Adam and Kris, it'd have brought down the show!

    Adam is really open in the interview; he's vulnerable and honest, which are two traits you don't usually get with Hollywood stars.

    Pretty much all of your questions will be answered -- including his reaction to when photos surfaced of him kissing an ex: “I mean, I’ve been living in Los Angeles for eight years as a gay man, I’ve been at clubs making out with somebody in the corner. But photographic evidence? Didn’t count on that. Wasn’t ready for that.”

    Adam also talks about how he deliberately didn't talk about his sexuality, because he worried it was going to overshadow his singing.

    “I’m an entertainer, and who I am and what I do in my personal life is a separate thing,” he says. “It shouldn’t matter. Except it does. It’s really confusing.”

    Lambert says he isn’t interested in being the poster child for gay rights. “I’m trying to be a singer, not a civil-rights leader.”

    Adam also talks about his experiences with drugs in the interview -- in a side note, he says he auditioned for "Idol" after having a "psychedelic experience" during an alternative festival in Nevada, the Burning Man, and used “certain funguses.”

    Last word is Adam's:

    “I’ve finally checked in to my self-worth for the first time in my life, and the fact that it has coincided with ‘Idol’ is so sweet,” he says. “I mean, I still have moments where I think, ‘Oh, my skin is terrible, and I’m a little fat, I should really go to the gym more.’ But for the most part, when I look in the mirror now, I finally see someone who can do something cool.”
    What do you think about Adam saying his sexuality shouldn't matter to anyone, and how he doesn't want to be the poster child for gay rights, he just wants to sing? Tell us your thoughts in the comments, below. (Don't use hate speech or profanity in your comments, we just delete those).

    -Click here to see the most recent photos of Adam Lambert and Kris Allen.

    1) -Click here for photos of all of Adam Lambert's "American Idol" outfits this season

    -Click here for photos of all of Kris Allen's "American Idol" outfits this season

    2) Photos of Adam, Kris and Danny with their hometown fans | "American Idol" trading cards

    3) Inside the after-party for the 13 "American Idol" finalists

    4) Check out the other entries, conversations and latest news on our "American Idol" blog

    Rolling Stone Photo via AP

    Tags: adam lambert, american idol, kris allen, american idol finals


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