One thing you can always say about American Idol -- despite any behind-the-scenes drama, the judges and ever reliable host Ryan Seacrest always show up with their game face on and professionalism in check.
Certainly that was the case for Wednesday’s top 4 show, when finalists Kree Harrison, Amber Holcomb, Candice Glover and Angie Miller hit the stage for two solo numbers and one duet.
In the final stretches, American Idol is clearly putting pressure on the judges to crack down on coddled contestants who have a consistent track record of do-no-wrong performances.
The first moments of Thursday's American Idol made me want to turn off the TV: the final five, forced by the increasingly out-of-touch producers to perform another unwatchable and dated medley of '70s elevator music, moved awkwardly onstage as a pack of hyper-caffeinated back-up dancers writhed around them to a soundtrack of "Last Dance" (and other songs you never, ever, ever want to hear again, not in your lifetime, not at a wedding, not at an office Christmas party, not ever).
9:50 PM PDT 4/17/2013 by Michele Amabile Angermiller
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With the final five women remaining in the competition, AmericanIdol went full-on diva with a nod to strong female icons for half its theme and what host RyanSeacrest called “an Idol favorite” -- songs from the year the singers were born -- to round it out.
Despite an energetic and enthusiastic audience response on Wednesday night’s performance show, Seacrest took a moment to address the nation’s grief after the Boston Marathon bombing.
5:15 PM PDT 4/12/2013 by Michele Amabile Angermiller
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LazaroArbos may have not won American Idol, but if gets his wish, he'll be handed the best consolation prize ever. As the Florida ice cream scooper revealed to reporters on Friday's conference call, he's working on arranging a duet with Cher for the finale.
“Six months ago when the show came on, she saw me and she connected with me,” he said. “She followed me on Twitter, and we’ve been talking back and forth since then. I love her songs!”
Everyone, breathe a sigh of relief. Lazaro Arbos' improbable, Sanjaya-like run on American Idol is over: after weeks of remaining in the competition despite being talentless and tone-deaf and unprepared, the sweaty ice cream scooper was finally voted out Thursday night in an unpredictable elimination round that could have sent Amber Holcomb home instead.
9:14 PM PDT 4/10/2013 by Michele Amabile Angermiller
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This week, the remaining six AmericanIdol singers each said a little prayer as they tried to deliver the goods on two themes: tunes by Burt Bacharach/Hal David and a song they wish they had written.
After an emotional cold open, host RyanSeacrest said, “The fire inside our finalists is burning stronger than ever.”
It's official: Lazaro "I Forgot the Lyrics" Arbos is the new Sanjaya Malakar. Not only is the Florida ice cream scooper of questionable talent, but his mere presence in this self-serious competition seems like a cruel joke.
American Idol’s top 7 were ready to rock on Wednesday night, as the show kicked out some old-timely jams -- and one Evanescence song -- for its theme this week. Most handled the challenge competently, which could make Thursday’s results slightly less predictable. Until that riveting moment, 15 things you didn’t see on TV to hold you over…
9:37 PM PDT 4/3/2013 by Michele Amabile Angermiller
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After weeks of R&B balladry, AmericanIdol’s top 7 wanted to show the nation they were ready to bring the rock.
But wasn’t this week's theme billed as a “ballad free week?” How is “What About Love” by Heart not a ballad? How did AmberHolcomb get away with this? Also, why tease us with Rush’s “Limelight” in the opening segment?
America said goodbye to Devin Velez on Thursday night's American Idol, leaving only Lazaro Arbos and Burnell Taylor as season 12's two remaining guys. But it didn't come as much of a surprise to Velez himself, who told reporters on Friday, "I got a feeling of going home."
5:48 PM PDT 3/28/2013 by Shirley Halperin, Fred Bronson
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Detroit week on American Idol separated the good from the great as Motown and soul classics challenged even the most capable of singers. How are the top 8 contestants holding up two months away from the finale? The Hollywood Reporter has the answers to the latest round of burning questions below...
How did Amber Holcomb feel to be in the bottom three last week?
The top eight finalists paid tribute to artists from Detroit on Wednesday night, which was a new way to salute Motown but also include hometown heroes like Madonna and Aretha Franklin. The hits kept on coming if you were viewing American Idol at home. But here’s what you missed if you weren’t sitting in the audience on Stage 36 at CBS:
