American Idol by Frank Micelotta/Fox
Much has been made of American Idol's lack of unpredictability this season, with critics carping that the show has settled into a "comfort" zone that rivets viewers not quite as much as it used to. The tangible result is depressed ratings, though still mighty numbers that any other network would kill for. Still, Fox Chairman Peter Liguori admitted in a conference call with reporters, "I am satisfied creatively, but not necessarily satisfied with the performance [in the Nielsens]." Liguori chalks up the ratings dip to a "post-strike malaise" that has impacted most every prime time program, so of course America's No. 1 show will take the biggest hit. That said, Liguori insists that the Idol producers and Fox are dedicated to injecting Season 8 with new energy, better storytelling and juicier twists and turns.Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly then interjected to note that Idol, seven seasons into its run, still delivers a 57 percent larger audience than any other show on televi...
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American Idol by Frank Micelotta/Fox
Now that the stage is set for a David-David showdown in next week's American Idol finale, we're hoping for some show-stopping, memorable performances. But while we wait to see if such wishes are fulfilled, we're curious to know which performances from this season's Top 10 finalists rocked your world and knocked your socks off.For those of you with very short-term memory, the Top 10 list looks like this:Brooke WhiteCarly Smithson Chikezie David Archuleta David Cook Jason Castro Kristy Lee Cook Michael Johns Ramiele Malubay Syesha MercadoWhat song made you love Jason Castro for more than his eyes? Which performance launched Syesha toward the final three? When did Kristy Lee Cook make you believe she could be a star? Name each contestant's shining moment in the comments below! — Adam Bryant
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The following containers spoiler information relating to American Idol's Wednesday-night results show.We perhaps always knew it would come to this. The weekly TVGuide.com reader polls wavered, but the takeaway rarely changed: This season has been about the dueling Davids, Archuleta and his flawless pipes and wholesome appeal, Cook with his moody, gritty charisma. Now, here they are, mano a mano. No third or fourth party to steal away the crumbs of votes.But hey, before I get to The Question, let's break to give mad props to Syesha. As Lou Grant would say, the gal has got spunk. And as my wife has said, she veritably emerged from nowhere six weeks ago to start laying claim to her deserved piece of the pie. The wallflower who arrived in Hollywood bloomed. The finals arrive next week. Though a handful of songs could swing the pendulum either way, it's time to make the call: Who's your Idol now? Vote, people. PS. Got questions for Syesha? Share them in comments, and maybe I'll run a few...
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We give David Archuleta credit for trying something not so ballad-y last night, but despite the adoring fans, Randy and Simon weren't really feeling his rendition of Chris Brown's "With You." Maybe because seeing the human equivalent of a miniature teddy bear singing lyrics like "I need you Boo" was hard to swallow. Simon actually went so far as to critique the 17-year-old by saying he was like "a Chihuahua trying to be a tiger." It sounded pretty good, but we have to say, we could have done without Seacrest's two cents. — Gina DiNunno
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David Archuleta by Frank Micelotta/Fox
How much of a stage dad is Jeff Archuleta, really? This past week, it was widely reported that David Archuleta's dad was formally barred from the backstage of Idol, and particularly in conjunction with his overbearing approach to helping David with song selection. In response to the rumors, however, David's denying outright that his dad's well-known meddling is troublesome. He told TV Guide: "I've heard some weird things that people have been saying, and it's kind of a bummer. I think I, of all people, would know what's going on, and he's been great." Not only that, but the young Archuleta insists he's embracing his dad's advice. "He's given me a lot of good advice," David said, "and helped me from making any dumb decisions. He understands more than anyone what I want in music, and I've felt really blessed to have someone like that." American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe, meanwhile, confirmed the barring of Jeff Archuleta from inner contest workings, but softened the tone of it all...
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Plus, well, a few of mine own. In his TVGuide.com video sit-down, Jason talks about "packing his suitcase" at Simon's urging, the "weirdness" of American Idol fame, his career plans and, yes, the hair. Enjoy! — Matt Mitovich
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David Archuleta by Frank Micelotta/Fox
The penultimate round of TVGuide.com's American Idol Power Rankings offers no surprises as to who's in the lead or bringing up the rear. No, the story here is that David Archuleta, with 29.7 percent of the reader vote, has delivered his best numbers since the Top 10! Could this new momentum, perhaps coupled by some compassion/sympathy spurred on by recent headlines, push Archie into a super-close contest with Cookie (presuming that Syesha is next to bid us adieu)?Plucky, resilient Syesha still can't muster up double digits, this despite knocking all but two of the finalists from the running and being the sole female left in the race. If it did come down to her and one of the Davids, though, how high a vote percent do you think she might get?The Top 3 Power Rankings61.3% David Cook29.7% David Archuleta9.0% Syesha Mercado
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David Archuleta courtesy Fox
American Idol lawyers have formally banned David Archuleta's famously overzealous stage dad from rooms where his son is "learning or rehearsing songs," both the Associated Press and TMZ are reporting. The final straw came when Jeff Archuleta, who all along reportedly has been badgering producers, the band, vocal coaches and even other singers, sought to rewrite the lyrics to "Stand By Me," which David served up this week. Though advised by Idol that incorporating bits of Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls" was a massive no-no, Jeff nonetheless sent his son onto the live show to sing the unapproved version, creating problems with the song's publisher and costing Idol big bucks. Jeff — who incurred a similar banishment when young David competed on Star Search — will be allowed to sit in the audience during Idol's remaining live shows, but is forbidden from venturing backstage. Update: An alleged retraction of this story from an "Idol spokesperson" named "Andrea Jamison" has y...
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Simon Cowell by Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage.com
American Idol judge Simon Cowell reveals to Parade.com that he thought about taking his own life as a teenager.Cowell said he hated strict rules in school and had difficulty finding activities that kept him interested."I was always bored. I didn't like the rules and I didn't like discipline," he said. "So when someone said to me, 'These are the best days of your life,' I actually thought about jumping off a bridge. I was like, 'If it gets any worse than this, I'm done,' because I hated school and I hated my life." — J.R. Whalen
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Jason Castro by Frank Micelotta/Fox
Wednesday's American Idol marked the end of the road for Jason Castro, whose dreads, goofy smile and laid-back 'tude added to his feel-good aura. Some say he wasn't interested in being on Idol, but now that it's all over, he insists otherwise. Here's what the acoustic-loving lad had to say about:Forgetting the "Tambourine Man" Lyrics"I couldn't believe I forgot. It's such a popular line that's written on your soul, and somehow it slipped my mind."The Perception that He Did Not Want to Win"Yesterday I wanted to win, and the day before that. What it came down to was just my inexperience. Once we doubled up on songs, I wasn't really able to focus.... I made it farther than I ever imagined. I did just kind of wander in, and when it started going, I thought, 'All right. I'm here. I might as well be in it to win it.' And I was giving it my best. There was an interview this week where I said 'I wanted to go home' or something, and I think everybody had this idea that I wanted to go, but th...
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