This is it. This is the last one.

For years, I’ve been recapping the cultural touchstone that is the finale of ‘American Idol’ with the classic mega-diary treatment: A blow-by-blow recap of everything that went down on TV’s biggest night.

At least it used to be. Once Upon a Time only the Oscars and Super Bowl drew more viewers than this night, but the last couple year it’s viewership has slowly degraded to the point where one of this season’s results shows got beat out in the ratings by a repeat of ‘The Big Bang Theory.’

That’s enough to prove that the ‘Idol’ finale just isn’t anywhere c...

Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj's drama-filled antics on American Idol have failed to keep the struggling show afloat - the talent contest captured its smallest ever audience for finale performances on Wednesday (15May2013).

The singing competition's latest line-up of judges - Carey, Minaj, Keith Urban and Randy Jackson - have struggled to make their mark with U.S. viewers, with only 11.57 million people tuning in to watch season 12's finalists battle it out to win.

The series has lost more than two million viewers a night compared to season 11. The previous low for a final performance was r...

Randy Jackson is no longer the last man standing. The musician/producer is exiting "American Idol" after serving 12 years on the judging panel.

Jackson survived far longer than the original team, which was comprised of Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, who left  several seasons ago to pursue other interests.

Jackson told E! News: "To put all of the speculation to rest, after 12 years of judging on American Idol I have decided it is time to leave after this season.
 
"I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It's been a life-changing opportunity but I am loo...

American Idol judge Randy Jackson is to quit the show after 12 years.

The producer/musician will give up his seat on the panel next week (16May13) after the latest Idol queen is crowned.

The news comes amid reports that all four judges - Jackson, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban - are poised to depart after the current season ends, and hours after it was announced that Carey had dropped Jackson as her longtime business manager.

He tells E! News, "To put all of the speculation to rest, after 12 years of judging on American Idol I have decided it is time to leave after this season...

Rumors are circulating that there will be a major shake up on "American Idol" next season. Are judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson and Keith Urban all on the chopping block?

With only three contestants left on this season's singing competition, Mariah has been taking her role very seriously. However, it's most likely that she won't be returning. Her bland judging style hasn't made a very good impression on network execs or fans.

A FOX source told E! there will definitely be no Mariah when the show returns next year. A few weeks ago it was even suggested that Jennifer Lopez was...

It seems the theme of the past few weeks has been that of three “D’s”: Depressing, Dreary and Dull.

For weeks on end, the three remaining girls chose ballads for each performance. Dreadfully boring ballads that did little to entertain or really enhance their voices in any way. Just sad bits of beauty that are great for singers to mess around, but don’t show anything artistically about the type of singer the contestant could be or what they would record.

All the song choices serve is vanity as they’ve allowed each contestant to do as much vocal gymnastics as possible without having to worr...

There’s one thing very certain about this season so far. It’s not that a girl is going to win. It’s not that the competition is stacked in the female’s favor. It’s not that this is the worst season for talent since the Jordin Sparks year. It’s none of that. No, the biggest certainty this year is that Mariah Carey is the worst judge on this show since Ellen.

It’s not that what she says is wrong. It’s that she doesn’t say anything. The hardest part about writing this column this season is trying to pick a sound byte out of Mariah’s insipid ramblings. She just never comments on the contestant...

There’s a lot to be excited about based on last night’s ‘American Idol’ and it doesn’t have anything to do with the members of the final nine.

Why would we care about them when we get to see a brand new song by Carly Rae Jepsen in just a short two months time? We even get to help her write the lyrics. And if her entire album (yes, there is one) is any indication of the types of songs this Canadian pixie likes to record, then aspiring lyricists should mention the previous evening and their desire to either kiss or hold hands with a potential lover. It’s all set.

Sadly, that news couldn’t b...

One week in and the producers’ definitely got their wish.

This season it’s very apparent that the creators of ‘Idol’ and all concerned behind the scenes are desperate to get off the Cute Guy With Guitar treadmill and finally get a female back to the top of ‘Idol’ mountain for the first time since Jordin Sparks beat that beat box guy so many years ago.

The producers only had one real problem in their quest for a winner without a Y Chromone: Curtis Finch, Jr. – the best male singer by far. His smooth soul voice and slick stage presence may have been enough to spoil the ladies’ party, and th...

Tonight should have been the ‘American Idol’ producers’ dream come true.

Was every performance spectacular? No. Did they manage to book a huge special guest? No way. Did Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell reveal they’d secretly been having an affair this entire time? Not even that.

No! Nicki Minaj was late! That means they had the opportunity do what this show does best: fill, Fill, FILL!

The possibilities were endless. Ryan could have recited a poem about each contestant, Randy could have seen how many women he could call “dude” consecutively, Keith and Mariah could have a competition to sa...

This year will be ‘Idol’s’ hardest to handicap in half-a-decade. Without a cute guy playing an acoustic guitar poorly on which to rely, this year’s power rankings promises to be as topsy as it is turvy. In other words, this should be the most exciting completion in years, if it weren’t for the fact that there isn’t really a standout performer that’s worth feeling excitement about.

Oh well, at least it will be changeable.

But before we get to the power rankings, there’s the matter of last night’s 90-minute results show travesty to discuss. Even worse, one recappers ill-fated decision to wa...

The guys of this season’s ‘American Idol’ need no introduction, mostly because they don’t deserve an introduction. They’re just a bunch of mediocre talents with one standout. None of whom the producers particularly want to win.

So who was the best of the worst? Read on to find out.

Elijah Liu Sang “Stay” by Rihanna

Keith Said: I thought that was a really great start to the show.

Nicki Said: I think I would be willing to stay.

Randy Said: It never left first gear. It just lay there flat.

Mariah Said: I liked this a lot. I felt it was one of your better performances.

The Verdict:

He...

It’s clear this year that the producers want a girl to win. They’re craving it. They’re desperate for it. They’re so in need of a girl to snap the cute guy with guitar streak that there isn’t even a cute guy with a guitar to be seen this year! Or even one with much talent.

That leaves last night’s performers with the staunch task of justifying the producers’ stacking this season’s lineup in the females’ favor. So who answered the producers calls and who left them hanging?

Let’s find out, shall we?

Zoanette Sang “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” by Tina Turner

Keith Said: I love the way y...

 

With no fighting to write about, I’m having trouble with these introductions. Suddenly this is a singing show again, with good auditions, bad auditions and auditions that last an entire act break while a duo refuses to leave despite being rejected continuously. Leading to these bits from the judges:

Randy: I’m trying to save your lives here.

Mariah: Here’s a basic rule of harmonizing: So the other person can stay on pitch also.

That’s about all the sniping we got tonight, I’m afraid. Let’s just get to the auditions.

The Three Best Auditions

Savannah

This was the single mom who came...

Last night was supposed to be the American Idol episode we were waiting for: Nicki Minaj would finally have her spat with Mariah Carey. However, instead we got her argument with a different judge.

Soon after taping started on the new season, a video was leaked of Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey getting into a shouting match after a contestant's tryout. 

So when promotions for the upcoming episode hinted at Minaj fighting and leaving the set, we figured we were finally going to see the infamous showdown. Instead, we got Nicki walking off set after getting angry with Randy Jackson.

Jackson wa...

Ryan Seacrest has revealed the upcoming lineup of judges for the next season of American Idol. Randy Jackson has retained his spot at the table, and confirmed judge Mariah Carey has been joined by Nicki Minaj (finally) and Keith Urban.

Seacrest tweeted the above photo with the message, "It's official, your new IdolJudges are @MariahCarey, @NickiMinaj,@KeithUrban & @Yo_RandyJackson!"

He also posted, "Everyone gave a heartfelt toast about being on the show after we ate last night. Cant wait to see the first contestants today. #IdolJudges."

Minaj had been in talks with the show for months, ...

Randy Jackson is definitely returning as a judge on the new season of "American Idol" alongside Mariah Carey. A source confirmed to TVLine.com, "The rumors are true."

Last month it was speculated that the musician and producer would be back on the FOX singing competition in a new role for the 12th season - as a mentor to Idol wannabes.

However, it appears that Jackson isn't leaving the judging panel. Former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell tweeted, "Just heard randy is back on idol. Right decision."

Meanwhile, it's unconfirmed that rapper Nicki Minaj will join Randy and Mariah in the hot seat. ...

You can't go one week without hearing a ridiculous story involving some of your favorite celebrities. Thankfully, the Starpulse Rumor Patrol is here to sort out what's real and what's fake.

Chris Brown and Rihanna Reunite: The hot MTV VMAs rumor is that Chris Brown and Rihanna will be reuniting to either present an award or perform on stage. A source told HollywoodLife.com that Rihanna would definitely join Brown on stage. "That's obvious. Hell yeah, she would. [There isn't anything] she wouldn’t do for that [him]. She’d do just about anything for him."

Verdict: False. A rep for Brown tol...

Australian country star Keith Urban is almost ready to join the judging panel for American Idol's upcoming season. Urban will replace Randy Jackson, who left the show on Friday after an 11 year run, according to TMZ.com.

The singer will join Mariah Carey, who signed an $18 million deal to join the show last month, on the judges panel; and TMZ.com reports that Nicki Minaj has a deal in place that's "99% done."

Word is Mariah's not happy about Nicki joining the show and has voiced her disdain; but producers think the tension between the two will be good for the show.

Urban's set to make a...

Randy Jackson has become the latest judge to abscond the American Idol line-up, according to a report.

The singer/record producer was the last remaining member of the TV show's original panel after launching season one with Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul in 2002.

He has now reportedly left his seat on the judging panel, following in the footsteps of Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, who both quit at the end of the 11th season earlier this year.

Jackson will reportedly keep his connection to American Idol by staying on as a mentor for contestants, according to TMZ.com.

Mariah Carey recen...

On Monday news broke that Nicki Minaj was joining Mariah Carey as a judge on "American Idol." Sources told Us Weekly, "I'm not sure the deal is completely done yet, but yes, she is definitely doing it. A few more slight things to sign off on but it is happening," one of the sources said. The other stated, "100% confirmed to judge American Idol."

Now rumors have surfaced that Enrique Iglesias will also be joining the panel, perhaps sending Randy Jackson into a mentor role. In late July, US Weekly reported Nick Jonas was in lengthy talks to judge talent on the singing competition.

Perhap...

Who will join Mariah Carey and Randy Jackson on the "American Idol" judging panel? Not country star Toby Keith. Keith's publicist has confirmed reports he was asked to work on the new season of the singing competition but didn't accept.

Keith was offered to fill the slot recently vacated by Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler, but he turned producers down. The country's star rep told CountryWeekly.com that Keith was "flattered" by the invitation but didn't feel it was the right fit.

But "Idol" execs have been considering other big names in the music business, including country star Brad Paisley...

It's official - Mariah Carey has signed on as an American Idol judge.

TMZ.com reports that the singer's deal is for $12 million - close to what Jennifer Lopez made on her first season of the show.

Fox boss Kevin Reilly made the announcement during the TV Critics Association press tour in Beverly Hills on Monday.

"I am so excited to be on Idol," she tells USA Today. "I can't wait to get started in a couple of months."

Just a week ago, Mimi's husband Nick Cannon said that Idol couldn't afford her; saying, "I ain't letting her outta the house for less than $100 million."

The signing fills...

'American Idol' faced a huge shakeup on Thursday as judge Jennifer Lopez hinted (heavily) at leaving the show, followed by Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler announcing his departure after two seasons.

And now it appears that Randy Jackson, who's been with the show since it began, is also stepping away from the judges' table.

Us Weekly.com reports that while Jackson would be leaving his spot on the judging panel, he would still remain with the show in a mentor capacity; and Mariah Carey - who hired Jackson as her new manager last November - is in talks to replace him.

"They are in serious t...

After two seasons of judging "American Idol," it appears that Jennifer Lopez is ready to move on. Lopez hasn't made a final decision about her future on the program, but she doubts she will return for season 12 later this year.

She explained on "Today," "I've loved it (being on American Idol) so much. I've enjoyed the show so much. I enjoy just the whole process of the show...It's a tough decision either way, but I have to say there are so many things I do that I put on hold for that. It's a heartbreaking decision if I have to go.

"Little by little I am (moving closer to a final decision)...

American Idol could be headed for a big shake-up if (and when) Jennifer Lopez decides not to return for a third season of the show - fans could be seeing three new faces on the judging panel.

First off, season eight runner-up Adam Lambert is currently in talks to join the show - but producers may not be stopping there. E! Online reports that Lambert may actually be replacing the show's lone remaining judge since its inception - Randy Jackson - not J. Lo.

That job, according to PerezHilton.com could go to someone else.

Producers have been considering revamping the show and are reportedly ...

The joke ever since Simon left is, “What do the judges even do anymore?” Well, tonight that concern was apt. Very apt. Because the judges never spoke. They didn’t break down individual performances. Instead, they simply offered a few half-finished thoughts at the end of the first two performances before finally swooping in at the end.

I’m not sure why we even needed them until the last minute. They should have been trotted out like wrestlers interrupting a match. That’s how useless they were for the first 45 minutes. It’s like they weren’t there.

So without them, it looks like it’s up to ...

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about ‘Idol’ it’s that the best doesn’t usually win. Last night, the clear standout of this year’s season, Joshua Ledet, was unceremoniously shown the door while waiting on the doorstep of the finale. This after delivering a stellar rendition of ‘No More Drama’ and winning the night last night by leaps and bounds.

Blame going first. Blame the voters’ apparent detest for soul music. Blame Joshua’s being too old school for the show’s demographic. Whatever the reason, Joshua won’t compete in the finale and join the long line of ‘Idol’ losers who were actuall...

Finally, the producers find a way to fill time that’s actually worth mentioning. Traditionally, we’ve saved the big homecoming clip packages for the final three results show, but with two hours to fill (instead of the typical 90 minutes) the producers shrewdly moved those fun packages to the performance show.

I think this worked a lot better because there’s always some sadness, some trepidation, some fear on the results show since somebody is about to get voted off. It’s hard to get in the full celebratory mode of these packages. They just work better on the fun performance show where ever...

Every year there’s a lurker. That one contestant that you think is going home each week but somehow, improbably, outlasts several other potential favorites and ends up around way longer than you ever expected.

This year, it was that little singling pixie, Hollie. Week-after-week she was in the bottom three. We heard her called stiff, wooden, emotionless and overly technical. All cold qualities that usually do a singer in with a voting public. They want somebody they can love through their performances, and Hollie didn’t really put off that vibe.

Still, despite that, she hung around. And s...