May 29, 2012 12:58 PM PDT

American Idol: Nigel Lythgoe Talks 'White Guys With Guitars,' Ratings Declines, Twitter Peeves

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If you think Nigel Lythgoe has an easy job, consider this: Despite producing the No. 2 show of the 2011-2012 TV season in terms of total viewers and the coveted 18-49 demo, American Idol‘s executive producer is still in the unenviable position of defending the show’s ratings and creative direction in the face of public criticism from his own boss.

We caught up with Lythgoe prior to Idol‘s Season 11 finale to get his thoughts on …READ MORE


May 29, 2012 06:44 AM PDT

Idology: Was Season 11 Idol's Best Ever? Plus: Phillip's Exact Winning Moment Analyzed! And Jessica's Wild Kingdom Hijinks Relived!

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Whether or not you were rooting for a Phillip Phillips victory, there were plenty of reasons to celebrate when the confetti began to fall at the end of American Idol‘s eleventh season.

On this week’s two-part episode of Idology, Season 6 standout Melinda Doolittle and I discuss why the latest chapter in Idol history turned out to be so stellar, offer an in-depth analysis of when exactly Phillip sewed up the win, and examine how the Idol Machine played a part in thwarting Jessica Sanchez’s attempts to …READ MORE & WATCH VIDEOS


May 27, 2012 03:40 PM PDT

The Idol (Less) Rich: For Jessica Sanchez, No Guaranteed Album Deal, Likely Smaller Payday

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For what appears to be the first time in American Idol history, the first runner-up is not being awarded a guaranteed album deal that comes with a $175,000 advance.

The reworking of the prize package terms for Season 11 was discovered by …READ MORE


May 24, 2012 08:59 AM PDT

Finale Ratings: American Idol and SVU At All-Time Lows, Revenge Hits a 20-Week High

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American Idol‘s Season 11 finale — aka 127 minutes of foregone conclusion — drew 21 million total viewers and a 6.1 rating, marking this cycle’s largest audience since the premiere and best demo number since Week 2.

That said, the coronation ceremony was down 29 and 34 percent from Season 10′s …READ MORE


May 23, 2012 07:05 PM PDT

American Idol Season 11 Finale Recap: And the Winner Is… [Updated]

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If the Phillip Phillips-vs.-Jessica Sanchez showdown of American Idol‘s eleventh season was an apples-vs-oranges kind of affair, then tonight’s season finale — featuring the inarguably terrific Top 13 12* — was a weird and occasionally wonderful smorgasbord. (*Uncle Nigel: “Jermaine Jones was just a figment of your imagination!”)

We had Season 3 champ Fantasia Barrino in a Crystal Gayle wig and, um, unfortunate spangled catsuit with side-leg cutouts (!) grabbing Joshua Ledet and turning the Nokia into a beautiful, howling messerie. We had John Fogerty, Reba McEntire, and Jordin Sparks …READ MORE


May 23, 2012 03:17 PM PDT

American Idol Photo Gallery: The 21 Best Performances of Season 11!

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Time flies when you’re having fun, and that adage certainly applies to American Idol‘s fantastic eleventh season — an intense, talent-packed, five-month affair that will end in tears, cheers, and a tidal wave of confetti when either Jessica Sanchez or Phillip Phillips takes home the crown a little later this evening.

Before then, though, why not look back on the season that was? …READ MORE & VIEW PHOTOS


May 23, 2012 11:40 AM PDT

American Idol Top 2 Performance Night Recap: Home Is Where the Artistry Is

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For the final salvo in what’s arguably been the deepest, most evenly matched field in American Idol history, Tuesday night’s Season 11 finale came up surprisingly light in the competitive fireworks department.

Maybe the Top 2 — Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips — were still heeding last week’s instructions from their fallen comrade Joshua Ledet: “NO! MORE! DRAMA!” Or perhaps it was just the incongruousness of the matchup, which was akin to making a choice between a stunning courture evening gown and a perfectly battered old t-shirt. (“But what’s the occasion?” you might’ve asked.) READ MORE


May 23, 2012 09:19 AM PDT

Finale Ratings: DWTS and Idol Split Tuesday Win While Hitting Lows, Glee Up But Down

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The Dancing With the Stars Season 14 finale led Tuesday in total viewers this week, while American Idol‘s Season 11 performance finale drew the night’s best demo rating.

Both reality contests were down sharply from a year ago, however, hitting all-time demo lows for a finale/performance finale, respectively. READ MORE


May 22, 2012 04:59 PM PDT

American Idol Season 11 Performance Finale: A Play-by-Play of Jessica Vs. Phillip!

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We’ve survived 38 episodes, more than 150 live performances from the Top 25, and heaping portions of wilted word salad from Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler. And now, we’ve reached the final two episodes of American Idol‘s eleventh season.

Yep, it’s all come down to the dolphins-vs.-egg beaters matchup that finds …READ MORE