Katie Couric: ‘American Idol’ Judges Include Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, Randy Jackson

We don’t know how she knows, but Katie Couric, during the taping of Friday’s “Katie,” told former “American Idol” judge Jennifer Lopez who will be filling the panel in the singing competition’s upcoming season: Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey and Randy Jackson.

Bing: Katie’s new talk show draws big numbers

So far, only Carey has been confirmed by FOX, which has not responded to TheWrap’s request for comment or made any public announcement.

“What do you think about the new group of judges?” Couric asked Lopez, according to a Thursday morning press release from “Katie.”

Read more: http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=757303

Mariah Carey Joins ‘American Idol’

Paula Abdul, Jennifer Lopez and now … Mariah Carey.

Fox just made it official: Carey is the latest successful pop diva to join American Idol.  The 42-year-old will join the judges table for season 12.

As reported in this week’s issue of EW, Carey has been the leading contender to join the panel this summer, which has seen a flurry of celebrity names floated in the press as possible candidates.  Her salary is expected to be somewhere north of $12 million — the sum paid Jennifer Lopez during her first year on the show — and possibly as high as $17 million.

Previously, Simon Cowell was courting Carey as a mentor for X Factor’s second season, though it’s not clear if her Idol announcement precludes an appearance on Fox’s other show.

Read more: http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/07/23/mariah-carey-american-idol/

Mariah Carey In The Mix For ‘Idol’ Judge

NEW YORK, NY (AP) — “American Idol” may be getting a worldwide idol as a judge — Mariah Carey.

A person familiar with the show’s negotiations say Carey is being pursued to join the judging panel of the Fox talent competition. The source requested anonymity because of the private nature of negotiations, which were termed as serious. Carey has also been courted by other talent competitions, and her name has been thrown out in the past for “Idol” and other shows.

There are two openings: Both Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tylerannounced last week that they were leaving as judges after two seasons. Randy Jackson, who is a manager, producer and friend of Carey’s, is the only judge left. There are reports that Jackson’s role may shift as well.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/source-mariah-carey-mix-idol-173637393.html

Jennifer Lopez Follows Tyler Off ‘American Idol’

Editor’s note:  I think Randy Jackson might start to get a complex, LOL!

LOS ANGELES — Jennifer Lopez is the second judge in two days to say she’s leaving “American Idol.”

Her representative, Mark Young, said Friday that Lopez is ending her time on television’s most popular show after two years. Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler said the same thing on Thursday.

Lopez broke the news to “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest on his radio show.

“I really was dreading this phone call with you,” she told him. “I honestly feel like the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that I do that I’ve put kind of on hold because I love ‘Idol’ so much.”

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20120713/ENTERTAINMENT01/120719681/jennifer-lopez-follows-tyler-off-american-idol-

Steven Tyler Exiting As ‘American Idol’ Judge

Tyler leaving ‘American Idol‘ after 2 seasons; Lopez says his exit will affect her decision

NEW YORK – Steven Tyler says he’s exiting “American Idol” to put rock `n’ roll first.

Tyler said he’s leaving the hit show after two seasons to rededicate himself to Aerosmith, the band he fronts. The rock star said he loved every minute on the hit Fox singing contest but added, “it’s time to bring rock back.”

“After some long … hard … thoughts … I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress `American Idol’ before she boils my rabbit,” Tyler said in a statement, making a joking reference to the 1987 Michael Douglas-Glenn Close thriller “Fatal Attraction.”

“I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I’m back but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I got two fists in the air and I’m kicking the door open with my band.”

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=398721

Phillip Phillips Wins Season 11 American Idol Crown

Not surprising in the least.  Phillip Phillips is the new American Idol beating out a very young Jessica Sanchez.  Congratulations Phillip!

Here is a funny recap of the show tonight that’s worth a read for the comedic value alone: http://social.entertainment.msn.com/tv/blogs/reality-tv-blog.aspx?blog=2080&feat=14857641-0a53-49ba-a5e8-fff94ed3b602

Hollie Cavanagh Goes Home On American Idol

With the coveted home town hero visit on the line, four became three tonight on the “American Idol” results show.

But before their fate was revealed the foursome kicked the show off with a snoozy version of “California Dreamin”” by the Mamas and Papas.

Then, we got down to business, or so we thought. First up, double P as Ryan said. Jimmy called Phillip’s performance the beginning of Phillip coming into his own. But Ryan didn’t reveal a thing. He told Phillip to return to “the couch,” but said, those are not the results. Which means what?

Next up was Hollie, who struggled on her second showing last night. Jimmy understood why the judges were okay with Hollie’s Journey showing, but he didn’t agree. And of her Bonnie Raitt performance, Jimmy said, “she hit the opera button” and “crashed and burned.” But still, the torture for us and them continued as she too was sent back to the couch.

Read more: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2012/05/10/american-idol-season-11-who-was-voted-off-tv-recap-4/?mod=google_news_blog

Skylar Laine Goes Home On American Idol

And then there were four!  Things are winding down on Idol and the final show is only a few weeks away.  Tonight, Skylar went home.  She found herself in the bottom two along with Hollie Cavanagh.  I was rather surprised.  I thought surely Holly would get sent home tonight but America had other ideas.

As usual, Vote For The Worst is taking credit for keeping Phillip Phillips on the show.  I think they give themselves too much credit.

So we are left with Joshua Ledet, Holly Cavanagh, Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips.

Elise Testone Goes Home On American Idol

And then there were five…

America sent Elise Testone home after two less than stellar performances and poor song choices.  Elise was argumentative with the judges as well… a turn off to voters.

According to Starpulse.com, their ranking of the final five is:

Phillip Phillip

Joshua Ledet

Skylar Laine

Jessica Sanchez

Holly Cavanagh

Colton Dixon Goes Home On American Idol

Another shocking elimination tonight as Colton Dixon, who many thought had a good chance of winning, was sent home.  As you may recall the judges used their save on Jessica Sanchez last week so there was nothing they could do to save Colton.

Vote for the Worst is encouraging people to vote for Phillip Phillips, who they really dislike for some reason.  Last week they claimed victory in messing with the results.  Apparently they want a white guy who plays the guitar to win??  Not sure what that’s all about but I don’t think I want to understand their logic.

Losing isn’t always a bad thing on American Idol.  Look at Chris Daughtry.  This gives Colton a jumpstart on his music career instead of wasting a year doing what AI wants him to do and waiting too long to release his first album.  Hopefully he will strike while the iron is hot and take advantage of his time on national television!

Good Luck, Colton!

Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet Join Elise Testone In ‘Ridiculous’ Bottom Three On ‘American Idol’

Editor’s note:  Phillip Phillips is Vote For The Worst‘s pick for this week.  They have also branched out and have RaeLynn on The Voice named for this week.  VFTW is proclaiming victory that their votes forced the judges to waste their save on Jessica Sanchez.

Colton Dixon and Joshua Ledet up on stage next as “American Idol” names its bottom three and cuts to its final six.

They’ve been having contestants stand in two groups tonight; Ledet joins Jessica Sanchez and Elise Testone, while Dixon joins Hollie Cavanagh and Phillip Phillips.

Next up is Skylar Laine. You’d think whichever group she joins is the safe one, but who knows.

Read more: http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/american-idol-1.811965/jessica-sanchez-joshua-ledet-join-elise-testone-in-ridiculous-bottom-three-on-american-idol-1.3658174

DeAndre Brackensick: Mom Predicted My ‘American Idol’ Elimination

Logo of the Fox Broadcasting Company (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  Somebody has to go home every week.  The competition is very strong this season.  Not surprised by the order of eliminations thus far.

Curly-topped high-school senior DeAndre Brackensick is heading home to San Jose, Calif., after getting booted Thursday from “American Idol,” but it didn’t come as a huge surprise.

After the studio audience filed out, the heartbroken teen spent close to 10 minutes soliciting last words of advice from the judges at center stage — and admitted he knew the end was near.

“My mama told me this was gonna be the day,” he told the judges.  “She kind of predicted it. I felt it too.”  

Read more: http://theclicker.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/06/11056799-deandre-brackensick-mom-predicted-my-american-idol-elimination?lite

‘American Idol’ Finalist Tweets That He’s Gone

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Editor’s note:  If he wasn’t out, he will be after tweeting that!

Jermaine Jones is apparently out on “American Idol.”

The 25-year-old vocal instructor from Pine Hill, N.J., tweeted Tuesday night that he no longer would be on the Fox singing contest.

He wrote on his official “Idol” Twitter account: “Awww I will no longer b on the show.” The post and Jones’ official “Idol” Twitter account were later deleted.

A Fox spokeswoman declined to comment on the matter or confirm his tweet.

Read more: http://www.timesherald.com/article/20120314/ENTERTAINMENT03/120319835

“American Idol” Puts Adam Brock Of Washington, Pa., In Top 24

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Amid the glitz of Hollywood and Vegas, a creative arts director from “Little Washington” sung his way onto the main stage of “American Idol.”

Adam Brock, 27, was announced Thursday night as one of the 24 finalists in the venerable Fox talent competition. Live shows kickoff next week and viewers will have the chance to vote for their favorites, ultimately naming the 11th American Idol.

For Mr. Brock, who graduated from Trinity High School and Messiah College in Harrisburg, it had to have been a tough week. The latest selection process was completed last month but the bluesman, who calls himself “White Chocolate,” was forbidden to reveal the results.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12055/1212400-67-0.stm#ixzz1nPzv0MWX

Lancaster Catholic Graduate Not Idle On “Idol”

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Naomi Gillies knows more than she’s telling.

Gillies, a 22-year-old music student from Lancaster County, is an entry-level contestant in the 11th season of “American Idol.” And she knows what happens next.

“I grew up watching the show, and I was like, wow, I’m in this show,” she said Sunday during a telephone interview from Boston.

While she can say she passed the audition — which aired on “American Idol” last week — and appears in the “Hollywood Week” edition that airs this Wednesday on Fox, she can’t, according to a nondisclosure agreement with the network, say if she made it through grueling elimination rounds in Pasadena to appear in the semifinals.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/582114_Catholic-graduate-not-idle-in–Idol-.html#ixzz1ljF877iZ

Hollywood’s War Of The Wages

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The second season of a Simon Cowell-free “American Idol” started this week. Cowell ditched the popular talent show last year to launch a U.S. version of his British music competition “The X Factor,” which he vowed would attract 20 million viewers. It fell short, topping out at 12 million. Now there’s word that the new “American Idol” judges, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, had been joking backstage that they would be “devastated” if they didn’t get 20 million viewers. (They did for the season premiere, but just barely.)

Lopez may be winning the ratings war, but Cowell is winning the war of the wages. The music executive earned $90 million last year thanks to “The X Factor,” which he owns a share of, and his record label, Syco. Lopez earned $25 million. Most of that came from “Idol” but she also has several movies coming out and a new clothing line.

Read more: http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=697139

Congratulations Scotty McCreery – Our New American Idol

Congratulations and best wishes to Season 10 American Idol Scotty McCreery and to runner-up Lauren Alaina.  What a year!

I thought the finale was the best in a while with many big stars and great numbers:  Judas Priest, Mark Anthony, Beyonce, Carrie Underwood, Tony Bennett, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Gladys Knight, Bono and The Edge and more!  I really enjoyed Scotty’s duet with Tim McGraw along with all the other performances.  It was good to see the top 13 again.

Again, congratulations to Scotty – a county superstar in the making!

American Idol: Who Is In It To Win It?

American Idol Final Two: Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina

We said goodbye to Haley tonight.  Next Tuesday, Lauren and Scotty go head to head to be the American Idol winner of Season 10.

The two-hour season finale will be on Wednesday night!  Look for big surprises and performances!

Congrats to Haley Reinhart for a great run!

American Idol Top Three Contestants Shine!

Tonight we were treated to some exceptional performances by the remaining three American Idol contestants.  Each contestant sang three songs.  One song was the contestant’s choice, one was Jimmy Iovine’s choice and one was the judge’s choice.  Tonight’s guest mentor was Beyonce who worked with the contestants on their song choice.

Scotty started the ball rolling with Lone Star’s “Amazed” which he totally nailed.  It amazes me how young these people are and the amount of poise and self-confidence they have.

Lauren sang “Wild One” by Faith Hill and did a great job!

Haley sang “What Is And What Should Never Be” by Led Zeppelin and her father played guitar on the number.  Again, another awesome performance and Led Zeppelin songs are not easy!  Haley fell during her performance got right up and kept on going like nothing happened.  The mark of a true pro.

The judges gave the first round unanimously to Haley.

Jimmy Iovene picked “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” by Thompson Square for Scotty.  This proved to be a perfect song choice and an excellent performance.  Scotty was most definitely in his element.

Jimmy picked “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry for Lauren.  Another great performance by Lauren.  Lauren missed a modulation, but she immediately self-corrected and went on to a strong finish.

Jimmy picked the iconic Fleetwood Mac anthem “Rhiannon” with lead vocals by Stevie Nicks for Haley.  Definitely not an easy song but Haley rose to the occasion.

The judges were split on who won this round.  I believe Steven voted for Lauren and Randy and Jennifer said Scotty was the man on round two.

Before the last round of songs, American Idol World Premiered Beyonce’s new single “Run The World (Girls)”.  Another Beyonce “anthem” that is sure to be a big hit.

The judges chose “She Believes In Me” a Kenny Rogers classic for Scotty.  It was done to showcase Scotty’s higher range and for him to sing a song with a more “pop/county” feel.  Great performance by Scotty.

The judges chose “I Hope You Dance” by LeAnn Rimes.  This song was a huge hit for LeAnn.  Lauren gave Jennifer goose bumps.  I chucked with the name dropping by Randy and Steven.

The judges chose “You Oughta Know”, one of Alanis Morissette’s greatest hits for Haley.  Haley slayed the choruses but she had trouble with the speed and rhythm of the verses.  Not an easy song by any stretch of the imagination.

The judges were again split on who won the round.  Steven voted for Haley and Jennifer and Randy give the win to Lauren for Round 3.

The level of talent this season is amazing.  Watching some of these performances are like watching a concert.

Tune in tomorrow to see who will be in the finale!

Missed my buddy James Durbin tonight and wondered what Jimmy and the judges would have picked for him to sing.  The brief clip they showed of James’ homecoming in Santa Cruz looked awesome!  I saw him holding up WWF belts!