American Idol
News (Page 2)

Based on her current contractual status, the answer to the question raised above is a resounding NO.

Days after Ryan Seacrest signed a three-year, $45 million deal to remain as the host of American Idol, Paula Abdul's manager is steaming mad that his client has heard nothing about her status.

"It does not appear that she's going to be back on Idol," David Sonenberg told The Los Angeles Times. "I find it under these circumstances particularly unusual... I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that [Idol production companies Fremantle and 19 Entertainment] haven't stepped up and said what they want to do."

What might Abdul do if not asked back for season nine, which premieres in January?

"She's not a happy camper as a result of what's going on. She's hurt. She's angry," Sonenberg said. "I think at this point we're going to be considering everything, including some kind of a competition show. She has tremendous ideas for a whole variety of shows."

Take this, Jeff Probst!

The host has signed a $45 million contract extension with American Idol, ensuring that he'll earn $15 million per season and remain the emcee for another three years.

Seacrest previously earned a paltry $5 million per season. He's now the highest paid reality show host of all-time.

"I'm truly appreciative of being part of a show that has had such an enormous impact on popular culture across all ages," said Seacrest. "I look forward to expanding the relationship with Simon Fuller and [CKX chairman] Bob Sillerman, who share the same visionary approach to entertainment media that I strive for with every project."

Was there really any doubt that Paula Abdul would return to American Idol next season? What else is the wacky judge gonna do?!?

In an interview with The Associated Press this week, Abdul confirmed that Fox has asked her back for next year... and the year after that... and the year after that.

"I've been invited to stay the duration of the show, however long it lasts," said Abdul, whose contract hasn't been renewed after it expired this spring.

Asked about her fellow judges, Abdul referred to the panel of American Idol judges - that includes Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi - a "dysfunctional family of sorts."

"I'm the nurturing mom, Simon's the disapproving dad, and Randy's the cool brother," Paula said. "It's been an interesting journey. It's something that I'll always would want to be a part of."

Exciting news, American Idol fans!

We've gotten our hands on the track listings for the upcoming American Idol Season 8 album. It will be released in Walmart on June 30...

1. Kris Allen, "No Boundaries"
2. Danny Gokey, "Stand By Me"
3. Allison Iraheta, "I Can't Make You Love Me"
4. Matt Giraud, "Human Nature"
5. Adam Lambert, "Mad World"
6. Kris Allen, "She Works Hard for the Money"
7. Lil Rounds, "I Surrender"
8. Scott MacIntyre, "Just The Way You Are"
9. Michael Sarver, "You Are Not Alone"
10. Megan Corkrey, "Walkin' After Midnight"
11. Anoop Desai, "Always On My Mind"
12. Adam Lambert, "No Boundaries"

Fresh off a surprising American Idol victory, Kris Allen isn't asking for much.

"The only thing that I really want to do is just be respected in the music industry," the singer told reporters in a conference call last week. "And whether that means selling albums or winning Grammys or people just liking your music, that's what I really want to do."

As for the future, Kris and wife Katy know nothing will ever be the same. But that's a good thing, assuming they keep it all in perspective.

"Things are definitely going to change, but we're really strong and she's really cool so we don't have any question that everything's going to be fine," he said.

"Adam deserves this. I'm sorry."

- Kris Allen, upon being announced the winner of American Idol.

As nice - and, clearly, classy - as Allen has proven to be this season, we couldn't agree more with his sentiment.

When people look back on season eight, Adam Lambert is the first name that will come to mind. Truly unique and entertaining, Lambert created something special every time he took the stage.

Still, let's give Allen some credit. His renditions of "Heartless" and "Ain't No Sunshine" were creative and memorable. (And it's not like Lambert won't land a lucrative record deal by, say, tomorrow.).

So congraulations to both contestants. It's like we have two winners!

Click on the pics above for larger images of Kris Allen. Do you think he deserved the American Idol title?

Regular readers of Reality TV Scoop now how strongly we've supported Adam Lambert this season on American Idol.

Heck, earlier this week, we said the final matchup between him and Kris Allen would be akin to a Mike Tyson knockout.

To Allen's credit, however, he didn't go down last night without a fight. In fact, we were nervous that the underdog would pull out a victory, following a great opening rendition of "Ain't No Sunshine."

Following the final two performances of each contestant, however, the contrast became clear: Kris can sing, but Lambert is a rare talent. He even managed to the cheesy, Kara DioGuard-penned winner's single, "No Boundaries," into a memorable tune.

In the end, Lambert won the title (we hope) last night, more than Allen lost it.

Choose your favorite finalist: Adam Lambert or Kris Allen?

They may be going face-to-face on the American Idol finale stage tonight, but Adam Lambert and Kris Allen teamed up to tackle the media this week.

The two finalists took on a barrage of questions from reporters during a press conference yesterday. Here are a few excerpts of how it went...

Kris, on receiving help from his Christian background: "I hope that having the Christian vote does not help with anything. I hope it has to do with the talent and the performance that you give. It's not about religion and all that kind of stuff."

Adam, on pre-show rituals: "Just get some sleep, which has been tough. We both are used to a lot lower pressure situations…a little bit. I think we're both really excited."

Adam, on his professional, pre-Idol experience: "I've worked in theater. We both have experience. I think the thing that is really cool about this competition is that it's an equal opportunity situation. It doesn't matter. The only rule that is set up is that you cannot be in a recording contract. And, American Idol has played by those rules and so have we."

Kris, on Adam's professional, pre-Idol experience: "He's done the theater thing…and, me, I've had as much experience as he has, just not in Wicked."

Adam, on relationship with Kris: "We're just very different types of artists. And at this point, it's not about out-singing each other. It's not like a direct competition; it's about both of us staying really true to what we do."

Kris, on relationship with Adam: "For me, I'm not going to go out there and out-sing Adam. We are two totally different artists. I do my thing and he does his thing. And, it's whoever America votes for."

The American Idol champion will be chosen this week.

And it won't be Danny Gokey.

But the third-place finisher still considers his season eight run a success, as he said over the weekend at a parade in his hometown of Milwaukee.

"It's unbelievable," Gokey said, adding that his story of auditioning for the show mere weeks after his wife passed away marked an example of "tragedy to triumph."

"My whole testimony is overcoming," Gokey said. "Overcoming the impossible in my life, and now I want to take that message and tell people, 'If I can do it, you can do it.'"

The singer plans to take this message on the road this summer. He'll be touring with the show's top 10 finalists, while also putting in in charity work for Sophia's Heart Foundation, which he started after his wife died.

Gokey added that he wants to put out a rhythm and blues CD, though he hasn't yet signed with record label yet.

Kris Allen is a very nice guy and a perfectly strong singer.

But, heading into Tuesday night's American Idol finale, the question isn't whether or not Adam Lambert will win the season eight title; but, rather, by how large of a margin.

This is the 1985 Super Bowl between the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots; the 1998 World Series between the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres; the 1988 Heavyweight Title boxing match between Mike Tyson and Michael Spinks.

We're not saying Lambert will knock Allen out cold in 91 seconds, but, well, it may seem that way.

Credit American Idol voters for pitting two opposing artists against one another in the finals. It certainly makes for an interesting match-up of styles. But it's impossible to see Allen's subdued vocals standing a chance against Lambert's eccentric, theatrical approach.

Is this fair? Maybe not. After all, Kris' rendition of "Heartless" in the semifinals was as creative as anything Adam has done all season.

But this is also America. More often than not, style wins out over substance. Every Lambert performance has been nothing short of mesmerizing, round after round, if only to see what sort of unique spin the singer puts on each tune.

This isn't to say that Lambert lacks talent; far, far, far from it. Instead, it's a commentary on the hypnotic way in which he graces a stage.

I'm not the most ardent American Idol viewer in history. But I don't even flip channels during commercials each time Ryan Seacrest says Lambert is performing next. I'm that afraid I'll miss a second of his audition.

For that reason alone, Adam Lambert has my vote.