American Idol

DeGeneres, the popular daytime television host and comedian who famously loves to rock out to her favorite songs on air, recently signed on as "American Idol's" fourth judge. DeGeneres will join judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, as well as host Ryan Seacrest.

And "Idol" itself doesn't seem to have been harmed by the controversy. In a testament to the show's massive influence, if you add up all the past "Idol" contestants on the Billboard Hot 100 chart right now, plus the other Allen and Lambert hits from this season, there are 18 songs belonging t...

And with that, the competition portion of Season 8 comes to a close. How did the battle between mellow and wild play out tonight? Did Adam steal the show, or did Kris do enough to win? Were you surprised by their musical selections? And which contestant did the best rendition of Kara's song? P...

So, here's to you Danny Gokey! After a season of cruising towards the finals, it looks like you're headed home instead. You were the Robert Downey Jr. lookalike who had to leave his best friend behind in Hollywood. And even though Jamie Foxx got "all up in your grill" and you started a $6,000 cak...

Danny Gokey: Kris Allen: Adam Lambert: So, what do you think? Did all three contestants rock the house with their dual musical selections, or did only one singer shine tonight? Will the finals feature Danny and Adam, or did Kris wake enough people up with his second song? Post your comment...

We were running out of airtime, so it was up to Ryan to fill those last two stools. The three contestants came back to center stage, and Ryan relieved Adam's fanbase by sending him to safety. This left Danny and Allison. Who would it be? In the end, it was Danny who was saved and Allison who was sent...

Allison Iraheta: Our resident rocker decided to go all out tonight, first stopping by Adam's hairdresser to get herself "Adamfied." With her tousled ultra-pink hair, Allison took Adam's challenge and did a pretty good job of rocking the house herself. Singing Janis Joplin's "Cry Baby,"...

How do you think the Top 5 performed tonight? Who was your favorite? Was Matt as original as Simon thought, did Allison hit a home run and is Adam still the frontunner, or are Kris and Danny hot on his heels? Post your comments below and tune in to the results show Wednesday night with special g...

To say I was expecting much out of tonight's episode would be like saying Danny Gokey hates love songs or that Adam Lambert can't hit high notes; I'd be lying. But leave it to "American Idol" to go and shatter all my expectations. As it turns out, by the end of the hour, I was left wanting just a lit...

In the time honored tradition of following a happy segment with those darn elimination results, Ryan called on Allison, Adam and Anoop (a.k.a. The A-Team). Both Allison and Adam won the chance for one more week, while poor Anoop was once again sent back to the Island of Uncertainty. Poor Anoop-...

So, did the contestants create magic with their movie songs, or did it all leave you a little flat? Does it feel like déjà vu when the contestants seem to be singing the same songs in the same style every week? Who should go home this week and who will win the crown? Leave your comments below and...

So, here's to you Scott MacIntyre! The likable contestant who rocked pink clothes and wolfman hair. You play basketball better than I do and can play at least two instruments! And despite Ryan's inability to give you a high five, Paula called you an "inspiration" and "one classy gentleman....

Looking at our bottom three tonight- Matt, Michael and Scott, Randy said Matt definitely didn't deserve to go home. But Simon, who is as blunt as they come, said the three guys were there because America didn't like them enough. Wow, that's pretty harsh. Tell me again exactly why you, Simon, a...

And with that we had three new members of our Top 12: Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre and Jorge Nunez. They join Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver, Allison Iraheta, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert who made it through during the last two weeks. And for anyone who's keeping score, we only have t...

Lil Rounds: There were a lot of good female singers tonight. And then there was Lil. She's my pick for the night's top female contestant. She confidently hit all her notes, ALL of 'em, and strutted around the stage like she just bought it from 19 Entertainment and was marking her territory. This...

1) Allison Iraheta: Receiving comparisons to Kelly Clarkson is high praise indeed. During the judge's Top 36 selection, Paula called her a "dark horse" and Simon told everyone to keep their eyes on her. Iraheta still needs to work on her personality, but she sang a spot-on rendition of "Alo...

2) Anoop Desai: He sang Monica's "Angel of Mine" and proved he's a true contemporary singer. Paula compared him to Brian McKnight, and I'd say she's right on the money. He's proved he's got the chops to sing smooth R&B-style (remember his Hollywood presentation of "My Prerogative?"),...

Austin Sisneros: This senior class president said he just wants to "inspire" people, but it took him a few tries to get any inspiration from the judges. First he adequately sang a song by Train. The judges were a tad underwhelmed. So he sang his next choice, "It Takes a Village," which I'm prett...

First Paula jumped Kara during Sharon Wilbur's audition (a.k.a. the girl with the dog). She was obviously fake-kissing the new judge, but it still came out of nowhere. Then during Miss Florida Latina USA's audition, Paula, who apparently felt a little neglected, decided to get up and leave th...

Tonight’s episode of “American Idol” was like a battle between good and evil. On one side we have the contestants, the audience and this week’s guest mentor Dolly Parton. On the other side is cranky British judge Simon Cowell. For every great interpretation of a Dolly classic by a contestant...