Simon Cowell conducted a brief press conference with reporter today.   Here are two good recaps from TV Squad and Idol Chatter.   The Jist (my comments are in italics, heh)

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ninety percent of what happened on the show last year was very good. It was a [...]

Idols are dropping left and right here! Now, it’s Katharine McPhee, according to the EW Hollywood Insider, who has lost her record contract–

Another Idol label deal bites the dust. Hollywood Insider has learned that Katharine McPhee is the latest former contestant to part ways with her record company. Like season 2 winner [...]

Blake Lewis performed “Break Anotha” on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night:

Idol Related Sales Numbers after the jump (Billboard issue date 1/19/08)

UPDATE:   Apparently J Records is leaving open the possibility that they’ll work with Taylor Hicks in the future.   From the EW Hollywood Insider post on Katharine McPhee:

“…a rep for the RCA Music Group (which includes Arista, RCA, and J Records) tells Insider, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“After six seasons, we are [...]

Kelly, never the idle Idol

SITTING in the miserable Manchester drizzle, it’s hard to empathise with the enthusiastic Kelly Clarkson as she proclaims a love for the city unrivalled even by its own residents.

“God, I love Manchester,” howls Kelly, her Texan accent still plump and pronounced. “Manchester always comes out for us, it is [...]

Phil Stacey’s new single, “If You Didn’t Love Me” has been posted to You Tube, via Philnatics.com. Popwatch has posted a short review here. Total country ear candy. Phil sounds great. Could be a hit…

SuperSpeshul bonus. From an earlier post, but in case you missed it, Chris Sligh’s new [...]

One of my favorite Idols is in the studio recording for an album due this spring:

Chris Garcia, who has worked with Santana and Michelle Branch, Dido and Jewel, is producing the album under the guidance of executive producer Don Grierson, a former head of A&R for Capitol and Epic Records [...]

Ok, remember how I reported the rumor yesterday that the first two featured audition cities would be San Diego and Dallas? Well scratch San Diego. From TV Squad:

Just to prove that no news is too small when it comes to their ratings juggernaut American Idol, FOX [...]

On Friday, Shirley Halperin of EW.com dropped this gossip bomb–not only had Ruben Studdard been dropped by J Records, but Taylor Hicks had been as well.

That bit of news percolated around the internet for a few days while the usual suspects did their research, and now many publications, including

Carrie Underwood announces new tour; Josh Turner opens

Touring with Keith Urban apparently did not satisfy Carrie Underwood’s touring jones because she now is launching a separate tour in February as well with Josh Turner as the opening act. The tour will consist of more than 30 shows and hit the road in February in [...]

I had one of the Best New Years Evah (well for me it doesn’t take much, I usually spend it hiding in my house….but still…)

I set out for Westerly RI on New Year’s Eve day to see Chris Sligh perform as the headline act for the Westerly, RI First night. And despite what TMZ [...]

A snapshot of Idolsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ singles radio play culled from Mediabase charts as of this morning. Find out where your favorite Idol stands on the radio after the jump.

More rumored Top 50 contestants have been added to  Joesplace.   Joesplace has been scouring the net for Idol info–she’s made some contacts and has put together a list of contestants who could be  this seasons  Top 50.   The  Top 24 will be chosen later this month.   Check out the list… [...]

UPDATE:

Coked-Up Idol is Dr. Drew’s Problem Now

After one of his former celebrity patients fought a cop and puked in her cell, a judge has decided to to allow Dr. Drew one last chance to help the pregnant, fallen “American Idol” finalist Jessica Sierra get her life straightened out.

With her family and the [...]