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‘American Idol’ Season 12 Premiere: Former Finalists React – So seemed to be the general sentiment on social media the night of Jan. 16, when season 12 premiered with new judges Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban joining series vets Randy Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest on a search for the next superstar singer. But did the excitement extend beyond Twitter and Facebook to actual Idol alums? We tracked down a few finalists and asked for their snap judgment on night one. – Read more at The Hollywood Reporter

Jason Castro’s take on “Idol’s” new judges and his new music.

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Carrie Underwood Calls Her New Video “Juicy” with an Unexpected Killer – The video for Carrie Underwood’s current single, “Two Black Cadillacs” will make its world premiere this Wednesday, January 23rd, on Entertainment Tonight. Carrie didn’t want to do a video that simply mirrored the lyrics and told the obvious story. She says, “I want the video to take it in a different direction or add a little something or have a little twist, a plot twist in there and not just be a retelling of now I see it instead of just hearing it. I don’t know, I just would rather it be more “ Carrie says she and the director modeled the video after “something” that they’re both big fans of, but she couldn’t say what that “something” is. But she promises, “It’s more drama, it’s juicy. The day was gloomy and rainy and perfect, and the killer is not who you would expect.” – Read more at Country Vibe

After American Idol, ‘Big Mike’ makes big changes – ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - A huge heart and giant voice are two big things American Idol fans remember about “Big Mike.” The hometown favorite made his way back to the Bay area just in time for the holidays, and one of the biggest changes you’ll notice about him right away is that he’s not all that big any more. “I’ve lost 90 pounds since last November,” he said. Mike, whose full name is Michael Lynche, says he gained a lot from the Idol experience. “Well, you know, my wife doesn’t have to work anymore, which is pretty cool, and we’ve got these great babies and I’m able to make music full-time for a living,” he said. – Read more at MyFoxTampaBay

‘Glee’: Romance for Finn, a Valentine’s Wedding, Sam and Brittany Backlash and More Teasers – Finn will continue to lead New Directions, but it’s a romance that will help play a role in his future, Glee executive producer Dante Di Loreto told reporters Wednesday during a visit to the Fox musical’s Hollywood set. During a Q&A with critics to help close out the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour, the cast and EP confirmed the Valentine’s Day wedding, defended new couple Brittany and Sam and teased that the Class of 2013 could follow in the footsteps of some of their former classmates. Here are 11 teasers from the cast: – Read more at Hollywood Reporter

Smash Season 2: First Look at Guest Stars Liza Minnelli, Jesse L. Martin, Sean Hayes and More! – The premiere of Smash is just around the corner (Feb. 5!), so it’s high time we prepare you for the onslaught of awesome guest stars that are coming your way in season two. In this exclusive preview, Megan Hilty, Katharine McPhee and Christian Borle and the rest of the cast talk about the all-star lineup of people coming onto the show to do guest arcs. Those stars include Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson, Tony-nominee and Will & Grace alum Sean Hayes, and Broadway vet Jesse L. Martin. – Read more at EOnline

Baby News! Former American Idol Judge Kara DioGuardi Is Going to Be a Mom! – Kara DioGuardi is going to be a mom. The former American Idol judge and her builder husband Mike McCuddy are expecting their first child, a son, via a surrogate, a source confirms to E! News. They’ve already picked out a name—Greyson James Carroll McCuddy, according to People magazine, which first reported the happy news. The couple, who married in 2009 after meeting when McCuddy was working on a house next to DioGuardi’s property in Maine, have been trying to get pregnant for quite some time. – Read more at E News

Britney Spears thought ‘X Factor’ USA was ‘a bad show’? – Britney Spears’s representatives have branded The X Factor USA “a bad show” following the star’s departure after just one season. Spears confirmed her exit from the Fox contest on Friday (January 11) amid rumors that X Factor creator Simon Cowell had planned to remove her from the panel. “Vegas has been wooing her,” a source close to Spears told tabloid watchdog Gossip Cop. “For millions, why would she stay on a bad show – she is in demand – has a career.” – Read more at Digital Spy