American Idol Top 24 Announced

"Will Jennifer find the strength to go on?" Ryan Seacrest asked at the start of Thursday's two-hour American Idol.

Wednesday night, you'll recall, ended with a sobbing Jennifer Lopez listing to the side, like a leaking ship sinking into a sea of tears, giving bad news to Chris Medina.

Within two minutes, Ryan answered as we expected he would: "Jennifer knows the show must go on."
Not only that, she looked fabulous. The hair! The luster!

And off we went as the judges rounded out the top 24 roster, 12 guys and 12 girls, teasing (or more likely torturing) each singer with feints and sighs before finally delivering a verdict.

"You're mean," said Laina Alaina, who looked as if she were about to drop dead before getting good news.

Here are some of the dramatic highlights of the episode:

Goodbye to Jacee: The one big twist came at the end of the night, when poor little Jacee Badeaux – I guess there's really no need to describe him that way – was sent home, along with Colton Dixon. The last male spot went to the very nice, very talented Brett Loewenstern. He also happened to be the most deserving, but ruling against Jacee somehow feels like ruling against a puppy, or baseball cards in the spokes of a shiny new bike, or the American flag.

Country showdown: Scotty McCreery, who sang a great, old-fashioned cover of "Long Black Train" for the judges, made it through. They loved his classic country voice, of course, but also his decency – he's still apologizing for not sticking up for Jacee in the group round. But John Wayne Schulz and his big black hat hit the trail. Not too surprising, considering how he's barely been on camera since his audition. You had to keep an eye out for him from week to week.

Worst birthday ever: The last female spot came down to Thia Megia, who so far seems pretty much perfect, and Jessica Cunningham, who's auditioned seven times before. And Jessica was rejected once again – on her 25th birthday, unfortunately. She (jokingly?) made a rude gesture to the cameras. But she could have meant it and you wouldn't have blamed her.

Mr. Sunshine: Given good news, Jacob Lusk, the nightingale with the lungs of steel, stood up and let whoop with a high note, then hopped, danced, ran and whooped some more. He must have been especially stoked that Randy Jackson called his Hollywood-week version of "God Bless the Child," the "single best performance ever on Idol." If he actually wins, he'll spontaneously combust.

In general, the night's other winners were the obvious ones, and included Stefano Langone, James Durbin ("I don't think you'll ever be selling pizza," Steven Tyler told him.), Jordan Dorsey, Julie Zorrilla, Lauren Turner, and Casey Abrams ("I don't think we've ever seen a musician as talented as yourself," Randy said. "It's like three people in one"), who was so excited he accidentally knocked his chair off the stage. Also vying for your votes: Tim Halperin, Tatynisa Wilson, Robbie Rosen, Rachel Zevita, Pia Toscano, Paul McDonald, Naima Adedapo, Kendra Chantelle, Karen Rodriguez, Jovany Barreto, Haley Reinhart, Clint Jun Gamboa and Ashthon Jones.

Jennifer Lopez & Steven Tyler a Hit on Idol

Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler's debut as American Idol judges has proved a hit with the critics.

Season 10 of the TV talent show got underway on Wednesday night with Tyler and Lopez replacing Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell on the hit show - and the two superstars wowed contestants and TV critics with their enthusiastic response to wannabes at auditions in New Jersey, which were taped last year.

The Los Angeles Times' Mary McNamara writes, "Moments into Wednesday night’s season premiere, it was gratifyingly clear that for the first time in a long time the fumblings and flailings of contestants fighting to find their feet on stage will not be mirrored by the judges' table.

"Not only are they great to look at, Lopez and Tyler are long-time stars who have nothing to gain, or lose, by being part of American Idol."

She adds, "Their natural confidence in front of the camera was such a blessed relief that it was hard to miss even the bracing ballistics of Simon Cowell."

New York Post critic Linda Stasi agreed, calling the duo's "instant chemistry" with existing judge Randy Jackson "so right, they couldn’t have created it in a lab".

She continues, "Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are not and will never be Paula (Abdul, another former judge) and Simon. They didn’t do the brother/sister love/hate thing - and didn’t try to. And that was great. They did something completely different. They were themselves - two superstars fully engaged and absorbed. And not with themselves, but with the contestants. Perfect."

However, the show lost a few viewers - the premiere opened to the lowest ratings since season one.

Ryan Seacrest and Jennifer Lopez: American Idol Will Be an 'All New Show'

For American Idol veterans Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson, season 10 isn't the same without former judge Simon Cowell.

"There are less clouds of smoke," Seacrest tells Entertainment Weekly in a new cover story about the show. "We start earlier. There's less – what is that English dish he always ordered for lunch? Shepherd's pie? He loves shepherd's pie."

"No, it's the blood pudding," Jackson jokes, then adds, "we definitely miss [Cowell], but it's a different kind of vibe. It's a different energy now."

"It's going to be an all new show," Seacrest says.

Jennifer Lopez explains: "We're more of a collaborative judging group. We're always leaning over to each other and saying, 'Oh my God, I think she's good.' 'Or, I don't get it.' 'You don't like it?' " she tells the magazine. "We just have a totally different style than any of the past judging tables."

In addition to Cowell, new judges Lopez and Steven Tyler are filling the shoes of Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres, who both bowed out of the Fox show over the summer, signaling a nearly complete makeover of the panel.

"It's not about replacing [Cowell] or any of the others," Jackson says. "People have been saying to us, 'Who's mean?' We've traded off on that because I think you have to always give people the truth, no matter what."

When Idol's season 10 premieres January 19th, it's not just the judges' fans who will be watching. Tyler wants everyone to know the contestants this year are "just astounding."

"We throw the drift net out and look what comes up?" Tyler says. "Gold."

Big Changes Await American Idol in Season 10

From the new judges to the new set, the new bandleader to the music itself, American Idol is getting some serious work done for its tenth season. “We’re going ahead with a whole fresh change,” Idol executive producer Ken Warwick said to Entertainment Weekly exclusively, “simply because we never thought in our wildest dreams that any show would last ten years on American television.”

Contrary to recent web reports, however, the show will definitely not be introducing a new music video challenge. The idea had been floated as a possibility at one point, but exec producer Cécile Frot-Coutaz tells Entertainment Weekly that while contestants are already experiencing new challenges this season, “We’re certainly not going to do the music videos.” And exec. producer Nigel Lythgoe laughs off the idea that a country singer won’t be asked to do an R&B song. “If you do Motown, then I’m not sure [how] you’re going to sing an R&B song and give it your country flavor,” he said. “You can’t suddenly go [in a painful country twang] ‘Staaaaap! In the naaeeemeee of loooaahve’ — so it’s not going to be like that. They’ve got to be clever with it.”

A source close to the show also said to Entertainment Weekly that contestants will be limited to cover songs when singing for votes, and it is unlikely that voting will move online this season. And the source is quite firm that there was never a plan to bring Idol all stars back on the show in anything other than a performance capacity.

So what big changes are afoot this season on Idol?

One sudden death Top 20 round. Instead of a three-week top 24 round in which America votes, 60 contestants were flown to Las Vegas to sing Beatles songs on the same stage at the Las Vegas Mirage that Cirque du Soleil performs LOVE. “I think a few [contestants] knew ‘Hello Goodbye’ because it was used on a Target commercial,” chuckles Lythgoe, “which is frightening.” But that round only knocked the talent pool down to 40 wannabes. Yet another round in Hollywood will narrow the contestants down to 20 singers, and only then will America vote in a single sudden death round that will select the Idol finalists from among two groups of ten.

A Top 12…or a top 10. While some reports speculate the final group could be as high as 15 contestants, the Idol producers told Entertainment Weekly the finalists will either be a top 12 or a top 10. “It’s one of those situations where we’ll see what the talent’s like,” says Warwick. “We’ll see what cross-section of kids we end up with in that final elimination round. It will be up to the talent that’s there as to whether we go with 10 or 12.”

No gender parity. Say goodbye to Idol‘s often rigid practice of maintaining the same number of female and male contestants in their final group. Explains Warwick: “If I’ve got six fantastic boys and four average girls, I’m certainly not going to throw out a fantastic boy to put in another average girl, or vice versa.”

American Idol returns to FOX two weeks from tonight on January 19th.

For more on all the changes in Idol Land — and Entertainment Weekly’s exclusive roundtable interview with host Ryan Seacrest and judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler — check out this week’s issue of Entertainment Weekly, on stands this Thursday and Friday.

Jennifer Lopez Putting American Idol Hopefuls 'Through the Wringer'

For American Idol newcomer Jennifer Lopez, the perfect pick-me-up during her first full day of judging was a fresh batch of eager contestants.

"It was a long day, but it wasn't tiring," Lopez, 41, said of her first day on the job in Jersey City, New Jersey. "I was energized by all of [the contestants'] spirits when they came in here – so hopeful about what could happen and how it could be. And it's exciting."

As the first round of auditions kicked off on Tuesday, the singer-dancer-actress is embracing her new role, describing her style as a mix between "tough, easy and fair."

And she's not letting anyone off the hook.

"I really want to put them through the wringer in the sense that I don't want to let anybody who's really great go ... because they're nervous or whatever and not get to see what they could've been," she said. "We worked with them a little more than maybe you’ve seen in the past. We give them more of a chance.”

Steven Tyler, the other panel newcomer, had advice for future Idol hopefuls: "Don't get mad at what we say – get better."

Veteran judge Randy Jackson also had some words of wisdom about rocking an interesting look: "Whatever you do, make it hot."

And with the show returning to Fox in January, host Ryan Seacrest was psyched about the three different styles the judges bring to the table.

"The chemistry is fantastic between these three," he said. "You know, they're having a good time."

Jennifer Lopez & Steven Tyler Announced as New American Idol Judges

It's official!

Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler will be joining Randy Jackson at the judges' table when American Idol kicks off season 10 in January.

"I'm looking for the next Michael Jackson," Lopez said before a screaming crowd at the Los Angeles Forum after Ryan Seacrest introduced her. "We're looking for the best American Idol ever."

The announcement was made during a live press conference Wednesday. Seacrest hosted the event, telling the crowd, "We are looking for the next star in music. We usually ask, who will be the next American Idol? We never asked this question, who will be the next judges on American Idol?"

Seacrest then introduced Randy Jackson, who told the crowd, "We found some unbelievable talent and I am calling season 10 the remix, baby!"

Up next, Tyler was introduced as a "rock legend." The Aerosmith frontman said joining the Idol family feels "fabulous."

"[It] feels like the perfect feathered nest," he said. "It's being a part of something much bigger than yourself. I want to bring some rock to this roller coaster."

Lopez, who dressed in a silver pant suit, was the last to be introduced.

"I love you guys. I am so excited," she told the crowd that included Idol hopefuls, there to try out for the show. "It is about concentrating in the moment, do the best you can. Just live! Just live, it's your moment."

The announcement comes with little surprise. In weeks leading up to the decision, sources said that Jennifer Lopez signed the deal worth $12 million. And Steven Tyler himself said he would "probably" be a judge when the show returned in the winter.

American Idol Season 10 Press Conference to Stream Live Today

American Idol fans will be able to get their own window into the action when today’s long awaited announcement of the show’s latest additions to the judges table is streamed live online.

Starting at 1:00 pm (ET), Idol fans can sign onto American Idol‘s website at http://www.americanidol.com/ to watch as Ryan Seacrest unveils the new lineup, and then stick around for the first press conference ever with Season 10′s squad.

This worst kept secret in the entertainment industry has several sources stating that Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joining Randy Jackson in judging this season's talent.

American Idol Judges Update: Why No Official Announcement on Steven Tyler?

Dude may look like an American Idol judge, at least according to a number of internet reports that surfaced on Tuesday, so how come there’s been no official announcement that Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler will take a seat at the Idol judges’ table when season 10 callback auditions begin filming in mid-September?

Spokespersons at Fox, Idol, and FremantleMedia all declined comment when contacted by Entertainment Weekly, but a source with inside knowledge of the world’s most high-profile job search insists “there’s nothing to announce yet.” In fact, says the insider, Fox execs are hoping they can get the entire panel locked into place, then “make one, big splashy announcement, but they’re not quite there yet.”

So how much longer is the Idolnation expected to hold its collective breath? “If I was the betting type, I’d say there’ll be something official announced by the end of next week. But that can all change at any second,” adds an Entertainment Weekly source. “Still, what’s the rush? This is, what, the third or fourth time media outlets have ‘confirmed’ the Steven Tyler rumor? All this water-cooler buzz isn’t such a bad thing for a show that a lot of pundits would love to try to paint as finished.” Indeed, to paraphrase a classic bit of Monty Python, Idol‘s not dead yet!

One other factor delaying the final announcement about who — and how many — will fill the chairs that were occupied in season 9 by Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, and the definitively exiting duo of Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell: The fact that producers consider the chemistry among its roster of judges just as — and perhaps even more — important than individual star wattage. “We’ve seen over the last two years some really great people that have not fit together, as far as I’m concerned,” returning executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said in an interview with EW earlier this month. “Don’t forget, [when Idol first started] we introduced two people you’d never heard of — Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson. It doesn’t always need this [element of], ‘They’ve done this, they’ve done that!’”

And so while Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, and Randy Jackson have been widely rumored as the clear front-runners for a revamped, three-member panel, at the end of the day, they’re scattered pieces of a very high-profile puzzle, and all of us will have to wait and see if the hands behind the show pick ‘em up and lock ‘em into place.

What do you think of a Tyler-J.Lo-Randy panel? Share your comments below. I am interested in finding out what Idol fans think of this rumored judges panel.

Will Randy Jackson Also Leave American Idol?

It’s been a week of ups and downs for the American Idol judges. But are there more changes still in the works?

With Ellen DeGeneres leaving the show, Kara DioGuardi reportedly out, and Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler reportedly joining the judges’ table, all eyes are on the show’s lone original judge, Randy Jackson.

The question is: Will the “dawg” be back for season 10?

“He is still under contract,” a source close to Jackson told People Magazine. “He’s a little fed up and torn with everything going on, but Randy is the kind of person who goes with the flow. He loves the show.”

So despite the shake-ups, Jackson is still on board – at least for now. “He wouldn’t stay somewhere he wasn’t happy,” the source adds.

The Grammy winning producer would love to continue his run on the show, says the source, but “he has a million other projects going on. Idol is a notch on his very accomplished belt.”

Meanwhile, FOX has kept mum about next season. On Monday, at the network’s presentation for the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour, FOX entertainment chairman Peter Rice said cryptically, “No one has signed a deal yet on either side of the camera who wasn’t on the show last year. There are no specific deals with anybody.”

Jackson’s rep could not be reached for comment.

The 'Dawg' Speaks! Randy Jackson on the 'American Idol' Rumors

With each new day, comes new 'American Idol' casting rumors. Ellen DeGeneres quits. Is Jennifer Lopez onboard? Is Steven Tyler? Did Kara DioGuardi really get fired? What is going on with Randy Jackson?

One of the main players involved -- Mr. Randy Jackson – has finally spoken up. E!Online spoke to the big "dawg" earlier today and he confirmed one thing. The host isn't going anywhere.

"The only thing that's for sure is Ryan [Seacrest]," Jackson told E!Online at the 2010 Farmers Classic tennis tournament. "Nothing has been decided," he added.

And while he wouldn't comment on rumors about whether or not he was fired along with DioGuardi, he did say he'd be pumped to welcome J.Lo to the judge's panel. "If Jennifer Lopez is a judge I would be very happy," says Jackson. "I love her."

At the Television Critic's press conference, Fox executives Kevin Reilly and Peter Rice referenced the ongoing casting talks. "The only thing I can tell you with absolute certainty right now is that no one has signed a deal yet on either side of the camera to join American Idol next year that wasn't on it last year. There are no signed deals with anybody."

When pressed about DioGuardi's alleged firing, Rice said, "I'm not going to get into the speculation about it, [because] it's not fair to everyone who is being speculated about."

But when asked about all the J.Lo and Steven Tyler casting rumors, Rice admitted, "Much of the information that has been written is accurate, and some of the information has been wildly inaccurate."

More 'Idol' Judges on the Chopping Block

With the ratings slump at 'American Idol' and Simon's departure just days away, TV insiders are expecting big changes in the format of next season's show -- and no, that doesn't mean Kara DioGuardi will host in a bikini.

"Everything is on the table," an 'Idol' insider has stated. "Nothing and no one is safe from change. There have been discussions about moving the show to New York, documenting the contestants living and fighting together in one big house and also eliminating the judges altogether. The only one who is safe is Ryan Seacrest."

Although no final decision has been made for any of the changes, those who were expecting that only Simon would be replaced will be shocked about the changes being discussed.

One suggestion was that before the producers go throwing out the baby with the bathwater, they focus on finding more interesting contestants and change some of the archaic rules on the show? After all, isn't the music what we really care about?

We'll have to stay tuned to see what is going to happen with the 10th installment of American Idol, which will premiere in January 2011.

American Idol Cast Gets The Simpsons Treatment

Check out the American Idol judges and host Ryan Seacrest all Simpson-ized!

Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres will invite Springfield bartender Moe Syzslak to join them on the Idol stage, according to People!

“Judge Me Tender,” starring the Idol cast, will air May 23rd on FOX.

FYI: This isn’t Simon’s first time as a Simpsons guest! He made a cameo on the show back in 2004, playing an admissions screener at a Springfield pre-nursery school where Homer and Marge hoped to send Maggie.

American Idol’s Texas Showdown: Simon Cowell vs. Neil Patrick Harris

Carrie Underwood is guest starring on How I Met Your Mother, so it’s only fair that Neil Patrick Harris joined Randy, Simon and Kara in Dallas, Texas, Wednesday as the American Idol audition tour rolled on.

Joe Jonas sat in for the second day in Dallas but didn’t have much to say. Maybe he’s too cool. But like Katy Perry in Los Angeles, Harris, who’s also pretty cool, squabbled with one of the judges. He and Simon, it seemed, disagreed more than agreed and their row was highlighted when Kimberly Carver walked in the room. She sang a jazzy original song, which Harris thought was “quite great.” But Simon told him, “Under normal circumstances you wouldn’t be interested. If it was Jazz TV, yes.” Luckily for Harris, Kara and Randy were on his side and Kimberly got a golden ticket to Hollywood. Thirty others from Dallas will join her there.

Lloyd Thomas, a dock worker at an airline and dad to two little girls, sang “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder. He turned out to be one of Simon’s favorites.

Erica Rhodes, who once starred on the kids’ show Barney and Friends, came to the auditions in an all-black S&M getup, complete with a whip. Her song of choice was En Vogue’s “Free Your Mind” — and the judges saw past her outfit and sent her through. Maybe they were intimidated?

Tourette’s syndrome didn’t stop Dave Pittman from auditioning — in fact, singing “Bring It on Home to Me” by Sam Cooke momentarily stopped his Tourette’s syndrome. Simon’s verdict: “People are going to like you.”

Todrick Hall, who performed in the musical The Color Purple on Broadway with Idol winner Fantasia, charmed his way to Hollywood with a clever original song about his Idol audition. Randy said it was on of the best he’s seen this season.

A very casually (tank top, jean shorts) dressed Maegan Wright surprised Kara with her version of “To Make You Feel My Love” — “I really liked it,” she said, “I though this was going to be a joke.” Simon liked her dressed-down approach. It made her audition seem effortless.

Those not moving on from the Lone Star State included Julie Kevelighan, who auditioned in Dallas alongside original Idol winner Kelly Clarkson in season 1, but didn’t make it. Despite a sign that said, “This is my year,” her version of “Black Velvet” was a distaster, according to the judges. Simon told her to add a word to her sign so it would say, “This is NOT my year.” Dexter Ward, who was certain he would make it all the way to the finale and win, left in tears after Randy said his audition “looked like it hurt.” (Maybe it did?) And the “super optimistic” Vanessa Johnston, who dressed like a rainbow, sang “At Last.” Simon said her performance was “like what my nightmares look and sound like.” With a smile on her face, she said, “At least you’re dreaming about me.” That is super.

Katy Perry & Kara DioGuardi ‘Hot and Cold’ in L.A.

Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry joined the American Idol judges Tuesday in Los Angeles, and the starlets showed sass, saying no to hopeful singers when the judges — even Simon Cowell — said yes. Katy even clashed with Kara DioGuardi, mocking her at times and threatening to throw a Coke in her face when she shot back.

But the real battle was for golden tickets. Jim Ranger, a 27-year-old pastor with three kids, sang his own song, “Drive,” and made it through despite concern from Avril (who wore devil horns) that he wouldn’t be able to handle being a pop star.

Simon said Mary Powers, who sang a Pat Benatar song, was “a little cliché.” But she got unanimous praise for her stylish voice and scored a ride to Hollywood. She then brought her 8-year-old daughter into the audition room to say hello to her favorite judge, Simon. It was a cute moment from the bristly Brit.
Musician Andrew Garcia, who is also a parent, blew the panel away with his soulful performance. Simon said he was “the only person [of the day] who I believe is genuinely good singer.” Katy told him, “You gave me chills,” and he was sent through to the next round.

Tasha Layton, a personal assistant and minister, delivered another crowd-pleaser with her version of Joss Stone’s “Baby Baby Baby.”

And to end the night, Chris Golightly, who grew up in foster care, sang “Stand By Me” with a lot of heart. When Kara said she admired his touching story, Katy told her, “This is not a Lifetime movie, sweetheart … you have to have talent.” Still, he got four yeses — two with “a small y” from Katy and Simon — and made the cut.

As for those who didn’t make it: The worst offenders included data entry tech Neil Goldstein, who bragged about his IQ, forgot his lyrics and got extremely shiny before refusing to leave the room in defeat; Austin Fullmer, who had the Mick Jagger swagger and an Iggy Pop body, according to the judges, but lacked the talent to land a ticket to Hollywood; Jason Greene, who made Katy “feel dirty” with his version of “I Touch Myself” by the Divinyls; and Adam Lambert fan AJ Mendoza, who — despite his alleged approval from the Idol runner-up — got a “very easy no” from all the judges because, they said, he couldn’t open up his mouth when he sang.

American Idol: Meet the Bank Robber Who Stole the Judges' Hearts

After rather unexciting auditions in Chicago, the Idol talent hunt moved on to Orlando, Florida, Wednesday night. The producers threw in lots of plugs for Disney, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and so on. Maybe someday they’ll do auditions at Sesame Place.

Guest judge Kristin Chenoweth, who said judging Idol was harder than she thought, stayed only for the first day of tryouts, and maybe that’s just as well. Despite all her singing and stage experience, she seemed to spend a lot of time giggling and running around with Kara as if they were a couple of Powerpuff Girls.

Out of 10,000 performers, according to nightly Idol anchor Ryan Seacrest, 31 were chosen to advance to Hollywood. The clear standout of the night, both in vocals and biographical interest: Matt Lawrence, who robbed a bank with a BB gun when he was 15 and spent four years in jail. He tore into Ray LaMontagne’s “Trouble” with a rambling, dusty voice that Simon called “brilliant” and “authentic.” Kara predicted he’ll make it to the top 12.

Some other performers worth noting:

Born with a damaged nerve that affects one side of her mouth, Shelby Dressel sang a sultry “Turn Me On.”

Seth Rollins, an insurance adjustor with an autistic son, performed a quietly smooth “Someone to Watch Over Me.” Although that sort of soulfulness doesn’t always click in Hollywood.

Jay Stone’s beat-boxing version of the Beatles‘ “Come Together” was so intensely overdone it came close to a comedy routine, although his actual singing voice wasn’t bad at all. Only — please — cut the Blake Lewis stuff.

Bernadette and Amanda Desimone, sisters whose interplay was so cheerfully smooth they could have been cast in an ABC Family sitcom, were jointly given golden tickets. This always seems like such a cruel thing for the judges to do. Haven’t they seen Saving Private Ryan?

Cornelius Edwards, singing “Proud Mary,” concluded his audition by hitting the floor with a thudding split that shredded his pants. It wasn’t clear whether the judges were impressed by his voice or concerned for his well-being.

The hour started with a man named Theo Glinton draped in a gossamer scarf and with small, mirrored discs applied to his face (Should we thank Lady Gaga for that one?). He was over the top, but after being rejected by the judges he exited with dignity and graciousness. Jarrod Norrell, who pretty much demolished “Amazing Grace,” did not. Security had to take him out in handcuffs. At which point Simon turned to the judges and asked: “Yes or no?”

Oh, what will happen once Simon leaves?!

American Idol: Shania Twain Judges in Chicago

The third night (Tuesday) of American Idol auditions brought out guest judge Shania Twain, wearing a nice denim coat and giving off a pleasant air of sensible professionalism. For all that, Ryan Seacrest kept reminding us that golden tickets were not flying out of the audition chamber. In the end, only 13 were awarded out of 12,000 hopefuls in Chicago.

But some promising talents will be worth looking out for in Hollywood:

Charity Vance, a 16-year-old whose parents own a salon, sang the old warhorse “Summertime” with a “small voice,” noted Randy, but had “an interesting sound.” What a little blonde sparrow was she!

Angela Martin, 28, has already been chosen for Hollywood twice, but her Idol career has been torpedoed by troubles both tragic (her father’s death) and minor (a court appearance over a traffic violation). She had a great voice, and there is no reason she shouldn’t go again if the rules allow it.

John Park, a voice student, won praise from Shania for “a beautiful bottom end” — referring to his tone, not the backside of his jeans.

Keith Semple, shown only briefly, was enjoyably Kris Allen-ish.

Inspirational story of the week: Paige Dechausse, who nearly died at 15 when an asthma attack closed her throat while she was singing, had a tough and tearful time winning approval from three judges after she oversold an old Sam Cooke classic. Simon, displaying the typical, invaluable insight that pilots the Idol ship, wasn’t buying it. But Randy finally gave in and went along with Kara and Shania.

And now, send in the rejected clowns: A Tiny Tim impersonator named Brian Krause (a put-on?) … a woman billed simply as Crazy Accordian Lady … and Amy Lang, who scared the judges by falling down in a (fake) dead faint. Then she startled them by thrusting out her chest in a weird burlesque bump worthy of Showgirls. Kara dubbed it “boob-boxing.”

American Idol Season 9:First Picture with Ellen as a Judge!

American Idol is back for its ninth season starting next week, and here’s your first look at Ellen DeGeneres with host Ryan Seacrest and fellow judges Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell!

The two-night season premiere will air next Tuesday, January 12th at 8:oo pm (ET) on FOX and Wednesday, January 13th in the same time slot. According to Access Hollywood, the premiere week will feature auditions from Atlanta and Boston.

Ellen won’t be on the judging panel until February. Instead, guest judges will be sitting in during the initial audition rounds. The celebrity judges including Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Kristin Chenoweth, Neil Patrick Harris, Joe Jonas, Katy Perry and more!

Who will be this year's "American Idol"? We'll have to wait until May to find out!

Randy Jackson’s American Idol Predictions!

Male contestants have dominated American Idol for the past two seasons, but judge Randy Jackson, 53, predicts the upcoming year to be all about the ladies.

“I think I have to give the edge going in to the girls,” Jackson said in a recent interview at the Yahoo! Yodel Studio, one-day music event and yodeling extravaganza on Tuesday in New York City. “We haven’t had a girl winner in a long time and some interesting talented girls showed up [to audition.]“

Jackson promises AI season 9, which is set to debut in January 2010 to be “a very interesting, different season.” One of the biggest differences will be the addition of Ellen DeGeneres as the new, permanent, fourth judge.

” I think Ellen will bring an easy light kind of side to it,” Jackson said. “She isn’t that music aficionado like all of us but I don’t think the panel necessarily needed more of that.”

As far as how the easy-going DeGeneres will mesh with the highly critical Simon Cowell, Jackson assures fans that the two will get along just fine.

“Ellen is a friend of all of ours,” Jackson says. “She is going to be good.”

Paula Abdul’s First Day Not at Work

For eight seasons Simon Cowell has had the pleasure of taunting, teasing and tickling Paula Abdul on American Idol. But for the first time on Friday, Cowell and fellow judges Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson plowed ahead without Abdul. Spice Girl Victoria Beckham subbed in for Abdul in Denver.

“I’m going to miss her. She’s my buddy,” Cowell told People before entering the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Denver. On hand for Idol’s season nine second round auditions, Cowell said he isn’t sure how things will be without Abdul by his side. But, he assured, he’s talked to her “every day” since she Twittered on Tuesday that she was not returning to Idol. “Paula has been very cool about the whole thing. And let me tell you, Paula is going to be fine.”

DioGuardi, who renewed her contract last month, arrived wearing a black sheath dress and was feeling somber about the road ahead without Abdul.

“I am so missing Paula. That’s why I’m in black mourning,” DioGuardi said. “I’m very sad. I talked to her last week. It’s sad, but it was her choice.”

While much had been made of a rivalry between DioGuardi and Abdul, DioGuardi says that was not the case at all. “She was a great friend to me. She was so incredibly helpful.” Not only did Abdul show DioGuardi the ropes in her first weeks on Idol, she was great with the contestants. “She was nurturing and the heart that she showed the contestants. I’m really going to miss her a lot. Really am.”

Jackson echoed his colleagues’ sentiments. “I talked to [Paula] a couple days ago and she’s going to be great.” What’s of more concern to Jackson is his own well being. “We all love her. I think I may cry today. It’s weird.”

Randy Jackson Predicts Adam & Danny Will Sing in Idol Finale

The competition isn’t over but American Idol’s Randy Jackson is already predicting a winner.

“Adam Lambert is definitely the lead winner if we had to choose today. He’s got the vocal chops, he’s a good-looking guy like myself, and he’s got that star potential,” Jackson said of the “fearless” performer. “I think it’s going to come down to him and Danny [Gokey] in the finale.”

Jackson, who served as the official ambassador for Amtrak’s National Train Day in Washington D.C. on Saturday, didn’t stop there with his predictions, telling People he expects judge Kara DioGuardi to return to the judges’ panel next year: “I think everybody will be back. I think you will see the returning cast.”

DioGuardi has said that she wasn’t sure she’d be back, but Simon Cowell told Ellen DeGeneres DioGuardi would return even though he doesn’t like the crowded four-person panel.

As for DioGuardi’s recent revelation that she struggled with an eating disorder, Jackson said he learned with the rest of the world, but commended her for going public. “Any struggle with any of that sort of stuff is really tough,” he said of DioGuardi. And while he hasn’t offered any words of encouragement, another judge had some choice advice: “Simon wanted her to have some doughnuts. He’s always the crazy man!”

Jackson, who had gastric bypass surgery in 2003, also spoke about his own struggle with food, telling People, he continues to “try to set realistic goals” when it comes to his health.

Jackson maintains his weight loss with a new state of mind that emphasizes moderation when it comes to eating — and having fun when it comes to exercise. “I hate the word diet. I had the word exercise. That’s why I probably love playing tennis, because at least I feel like I’m playing a game,” he says. “Or if I do work out, it’s either yoga or palates. I try and make it fun and enjoyable and make it part of every day like taking a shower and brushing your teeth,” explains Jackson, who credits the surgery to teaching him “portion control.”

Those portions are now meat free, since the Idol judge is now a vegetarian. He doesn’t “eat that much cheese” and sticks to “a little more of a raw food diet.” But having grown up in Louisiana, he admits to “miss sometimes” one southern staple: fried foods.