Jim Verraros Discusses ‘American Idol’ and His Future, by David Bloomberg: Jim Verraros quickly became well-known to American Idol fans in the first series. He was slammed by Simon but made it into the top 10 anyway, and has had a whirlwind of activity with the concert tour and all that has brought him. More recently, he had an interview in The Advocate in which he "came out" to the general public. Jim tells us how all of this has affected him and what his are plans for the future.

American Idol: Who Will Replace Dunkleman?, by David Bloomberg: It was recently announced that Brian Dunkleman will not be returning to his cohosting duties on American Idol 2. So who will replace him? We may not know, but we have some suggestions from the realm of American Idol and the world of reality TV in general.

San Diego “American Idol” Concert Review, October 8, 2002, by Sheela Kinhal: The American Idol tour kicked off in San Diego last night, and lived up to its promise. Find out how Kelly did with her vocal chord problems and if the others are warming up to their idol-like status!

American Idol’s Greatest Moments CD – A Foxes On Idol Review, by David Bloomberg: The American Idol Greatest Moments CD features songs by each of the top 10, plus a few extras. Is it worth giving a listen, and even buying it? In summary, yes.

Top 30 American Idol Contestant Natalie Burge Talks to Foxes On Idol, by David Bloomberg: At the end of July, RealityNewsOnline had an interview with American Idol top 30 performer Natalie Burge. Now we caught up with Natalie again to find out what she thought of the Vegas show, what else she's been up to, and how her life has changed.

Vegas Show Proves Kelly Is Worthy, by Linda Dougherty: It was appropriate that the American Idol special was in Las Vegas, because if you’ve never seen a Vegas show in general, you have now. Much of it was stuff we’ve seen before, and it didn’t really translate well to TV – except for the presence of Kelly.

American Idol: The Vegas Concert, by Sting7: Still suffering from that American Idol withdrawal? Fear not. The American Idol Las Vegas reunion on Monday was just the thing to cure those blues – and it’s only the start. Take a look at what we got in those two hours.

American Idol’s Vegas Special: Get Ready to Dial for Kelly Again, by Linda Dougherty: Limber up those dialing fingers again – you’re going to need to vote on American Idol sooner than you think. On the September 23rd Vegas special, the public will vote on what song Kelly should release next. Is this any way to run a singing career? Plus, what else you can expect on the show from Kelly.

What If ‘American Idol’ Wasn’t Reality TV?, by Linda Dougherty: Call her a skeptic, but Linda is having doubts about American Idol. Could things have really worked out so perfectly, with all the right characters, supporting parts, heroes, villains, and the like? It's almost as if AI was scripted.

Three Important Factors for Past and Future American Idol Contestants: Song Choice, Song Choice, and Song Choice, by Anita Williams: Anita had asked readers to submit what they thought good songs would have been for the previous group of American Idol contestants. We have those results now, plus a bit of advice for potential contestants next time around – it’s all about song choice.

American Idol – Looking Ahead, by David Bloomberg: American Idol just ended last week, and already we have a lot to look forward to. We already know about the tour and stuff like that, but there seems to be more news every day!

American/Pop Idol: Where There’s a Will, There’s No Way, by Phil Lewin: British Pop Idol winner Will Young has faced a number of problems in association with his winning the contract. Will Kelly now face the same issues - bad songs, poor management, and the like?

American Idol, Week 13, Part 2: The Results Show, by Dana Walker: OK, so it took a little longer than expected to get the second part of the American Idol finale week finished - but it's well worth the wait. Read on to see what Dana had to say about the final show!

American Idol, Week 13, Part 1: The Final Two Perform, by Dana Walker: The finale was so big that Dana had to split her recap in two. Take a look back at Tuesday’s episode, where Kelly and Justin sang their hearts out in their final competition to see who would be crowned the American Idol.

American Idol: Where Do We Go from Here?, by Linda Dougherty: American Idol became such a mainstay in our lives over the summer, it's difficult to think of life without it. Somehow we'll have to go on, but let's look at what one typical viewer has to say before we do so...

Answers to Some American Idol Finale Questions, by Sting7: Our esteemed editor had a number of questions after watching the finale of American Idol. In my role as resident wise-ass, here are the answers.

American Idol – What Reality TV Should Be About, by Mike DeGeorge: Mike never thought he’d like American Idol -- and there were, of course, a few things about it that he didn’t. But looking back on the show, we find that overall it was a good concept with a great ending.

Thoughts and Impressions from American Idol, the Final Week, by David Bloomberg: It’s all over except the reunion shows, singles, albums, and all that good stuff that comes to the winner and probably several other contestants as well. However, the two-day finale raised some interesting questions. Let’s take a look.

Handicapping the Finale of American Idol, by Sting7: After last night’s performance, the winner should be clear to all. Justin and Kelly performed their hearts out, and Sting7 gives us his thoughts on who did well, who did better, and who will win tonight.

My Night with American Idol, by C. Brian Devinney: Brian was able to do something that most American Idol fans can only dream about - spend a day with judge Paula Abdul and the two finalists. As an escort at the MTV Video Music Awards, he got quite a bit of insight into their personalities.

American Idol: The Case for Kelly, by Bruce Barker: The performances are over. The phone lines are swamped, and the final vote will be tallied tonight. But did the performances sway any voters, or were minds made up ahead of time? And what can we predict about Wednesday's two-hour finale, plus the careers of our two finalists?

American Idol, Week 12: Finally…, by Dana Walker: Last week we went from the final 3 to the final 2 - and the voters finally got it right! Relive every moment before the final performances and results show coming up this week.

American Idol’s Official Book – Flashy, Positive, and Exactly What You Would Expect, by David Bloomberg: The official companion book for American Idol is geared towards reminding us of the steps that have led to the finals. It features each of the top 10 finalists, the judges, the hosts, and provides us with plenty of glossy photos along the way.

Thoughts and Impressions from American Idol, Week 12, by David Bloomberg: Nikki gave her best performances and got the boot. The other two kicked serious butt in both songs of their own choosing and chosen by the judges. Let’s look at some general thoughts and impressions from this week’s shows.

American Idol: The Perfect Package, by Bruce Barker: Fox has found a goldmine in American Idol -- from Ford and Coke to concerts and CDs, it is truly the perfect package. Watch Simon’s face and the faces of previously voted-out contestants and you can see quite a bit of what they are thinking. Read on to find out more.

Handicapping Week 12 of American Idol, by Sting7: It's time to look at the final three. Who did well? Who did great? And who will be leaving us Wednesday night? Sting7 takes a look as he handicaps the performances.

Tamyra Signed to Contract, Rumors Quashed, by David Bloomberg: Rumors about Tamyra’s loss included that she purposely performed poorly so she could get a head start on a recording contract. However, the production company associated with American Idol has picked up the option on her contract, so she is already locked in.

American Idol: Factors Against Conspiracy Claims, by J. Miller: There have been many accusations related to claims of "conspiracy" in American Idol. In considering whether the vote is rigged or not, a number of items come to mind that tend to go against the idea.

American Idol, Week 11: Shocker!, by Dana Walker: It was an unforgettable week on American Idol. If you missed any of it or want to take another look, Dana's got the whole thing right here for you, as always.

The Stars of American Idol – Yes, Even Including Nikki, by Bruce Barker: There is a big difference between the British and American versions of Idol, and that has a lot to do with the way we have voted on our finalists. Tamyra will go far, Kelly may very well win, Justin is the flavor of the moment, and Nikki - well, she is the rebellious rocker.

Thoughts and Impressions from American Idol, Week 11, by David Bloomberg: It's certainly been an interesting week. But even after all the articles about Nikki and Tamyra, it's time to take a look at overall impressions from the Week 11 shows, including how I thought each performer did - and how the judges did, as well.

American Idol: Tamyra, Nikki, and the Fight for Votes, by David Bloomberg: For so many of us, it was a stunning moment. How could Tamyra Gray have possibly lost to Nikki McKibbin on American Idol? It's impossible! Or is it? Let's put aside conspiracies for a moment and look at how it just might have been possible - and how it can be fixed for the next edition of the show.

Tamyra Is Better Than This, by Dana Walker: We all knew that Tamyra was too good for American Idol -- and let's face it, she will "win" even though she "lost." But why did Tamyra take an early exit? Dana has a theory.

Tamyra: A Victim of American Idol's Success, by Andrea Shuman: There may be many explanations for Tamyra getting voted off. Hell, there may be no explanation. But Andrea has come up with a pretty good idea that might explain it…

What Is Nikki Thinking?, by David Bloomberg: We can't read her mind, but we can read her face and body language. Nikki has been in the bottom vote-getters so many times, yet has pulled through week in and week out. What can she possibly be thinking as the show moves into its final weeks?

American Idol, Nikki, and the Voters, by Peggy Keller: The fact that Nikki has made it to the Top 3 on American Idol -- over Tamyra, no less - has fired up a storm of controversy. But who is to blame? Powerdialers? Nikki herself? Or Fox?

American Idol: More Reactions to Tamyra's Loss, by David Bloomberg: E-mail has continued to fill up my inbox, almost all of it filled with vitriol aimed at Fox, the show, and those who voted to keep Nikki there and remove Tamyra. There were a few to the contrary, and we have another sample of all of these here, including some important comments.

American Idol: Initial Reactions to the August 21 Results, by David Bloomberg: Reaction has been swift and heated to Tamyra being voted out tonight. My inbox is already overflowing. What do people have on their minds? Only one way to find out - read on…

Looking at Nikki McKibbin's Progress As She Has Dodged the Bullets, by David Bloomberg: Reviewers have predicted Nikki's downfall from the very first week. Each time, we have been certain that voters would not allow her to continue onwards. Each time, we have been wrong. As we approach the results show that will cut them down to the final three, let's look back at Nikki's progress throughout the show.

Tamyra Gray Brings Consistent Skills Along the American Idol Path, by David Bloomberg: Tamyra has been not only one of the best singers and performers we have seen on American Idol, but also the most consistent. Week in and week out, she has blown away the audience, the judges, the viewers, and the voters. Let's look back to see how many compliments we have in our vocabulary.

Justin Guarini, The Unconventional Fox, by Dana Walker: Everybody knows that Dana is a big fan of Justin's - but why? What does she see in him that makes him her very own "American Idol"? Let's take a look at what he's done to earn his Final Four position.

Handicapping Week 11 of 'American Idol', by Sting7: When the history books look back at Tuesday night's double-performances on American Idol, what will they say? Well, Sting7 has a first impression as he takes a look at how the votes should go down. He's been predicting Nikki's demise for three weeks now. Will he be right in his prediction this time?

American Idol: Why Nikki Has Made It This Far, by Peggy Keller: Some people have asked what the explanation can possibly be for Nikki making it to the Final Four of American Idol. Let's take a look at many of the reasons she has made it this far.

American Idol: In Defense of Nikki McKibbin, by Joshua Ryan: Sure, she shouts, and she doesn't have as good a voice as Tamyra or Kelly - but many of us still like Nikki. Why? Because she's an entertainer.

American Idol, Week 10: Fast Forward, by Dana Walker: It was another shocking week on American Idol -- well, to most of us. But Dana saw it coming. She knew Nikki's fans would keep her around no matter what. Let's take a look at what happened this past Tuesday and Wednesday.

American Idol Voting May Be Skewed, by Susan Schechter & David Bloomberg: American Idol producers have acknowledged that people with powerful autodialers may be logging thousands and thousands of votes each week. They claim it has not affected the outcome, but offer no explanation or actual evidence. What is really going on and why are they keeping viewers in the dark?

Simon Cowell: Why We Love to Loathe Reality TV Villains, by Kelsey Poyer: What would reality TV be without the villain? Well, rather dull. In this way, it is Simon who makes American Idol more exciting and pushes the contestants to sing their hearts out. Let's take a look at how he has affected the show, and also back at past villains to see their impacts.

Thoughts and Impressions from American Idol, Week 10, by David Bloomberg: Nikki held on for yet another week while Simon got booed again. How ironic. But at least part of the blame for Nikki's continued success lies at Simon's own feet. Let's take a look at what has happened in the past week.

American Idol: More Questions than Answers, by Peggy Keller: In watching American Idol, we are faced with many questions. How did Nikki and RJ get so far? Will the winner and runners-up still be singing in a few years? Why are they forced to sing in genres where some of them feel so uncomfortable? Peggy takes a look at all of these and more, trying to find some answers.

Idol Rumors, by Mike DeGeorge: The rumors about American Idol -- in particular, Christina leaving last week - have gotten out of hand. Mike has collected several of the worst, and also points out that these unreal stories may be covering up part of the real story behind the scenes.

Handicapping Week 10 of 'American Idol', by Sting7: It's Wednesday, which means it must be time to look at last night's performances on American Idol to see how we Sting7 thinks the voting will come out. He's rung the death knell for Nikki before - will he do so again? And will it be the way America voted?

American Idol's Simon Tells It Like It Is in TV Guide, by David Bloomberg: American Idol viewers are used to Simon Cowell being blunt. But sometimes (often, perhaps) his straight talking gets drowned out by Paula Abdul or others who only want to hear nice things. In a TV Guide article, Simon got to make his points and we also learned a bit about Paula and how her comebacks have become a bit snappier.

Confessions of an American Idol Virgin, by C. Brian Devinney: It's hard to believe, but there were actually a few people in the U.S. who had not yet seen American Idol. Now that Brian had his first chance, he gives his opinions only looking at last night's episode (since he hadn't seen any others). Will he vote the same way as those who have been watching for ten weeks now? Or does the virgin eye see things differently?

American Idol, Week 9: Dunderheads, by Dana Walker: Dana attended the Tuesday show last week – see what she has to say about the big mistake she almost made, what she thinks of Christina leaving, and much more!

Thoughts and Impressions from American Idol, Week 9, by David Bloomberg: Well, it certainly was an interesting week on American Idol. We had more controversy in a few days than the entire show had generated previously. A better singer left and worse ones stayed. But is this all Simon's fault? Did he sow the seeds for picking somebody based not solely on talent, but on appearance? Read on to find out.

American Idol: How Do You Solve a Problem Like Kelly Clarkson?, by Andrea Shuman: If Kelly wins American Idol, what will the Starmakers do with her, and how will her style be changed to fit what's fashionable? Andrea Shuman ponders this question, and looks at some possible pitfalls of trying to put a square peg in a round hole.

Supergirls and Global Idols, by Susan Schechter: The production company behind American Idol has not been, well, idle. They are working on at least two new shows. One would find America's supergirl, while the other would pit Idol winners from around the world against each other. Read on for more information.

American Idol: A Christina Christian Conspiracy?, by David Bloomberg: Ever since Wednesday night’s American Idol results show, there have been all sorts of rumors flying across the Internet about Christina’s departure. After all, there is no way she could really have been beaten by RJ, right? Wrong. It actually makes perfect sense, like it or not.

The Linkin Park Factor, or why American Idol’s Nikki McKibbin is Still Getting Millions of Votes, by Peggy Keller: With all the criticism that has been leveled at American Idol’s Nikki McKibbin, how is she still hanging in? Perhaps a look at today’s pop charts can give us an answer. It is not always what we think should be best, but what buyers (and voters) perceive that counts.

American Idol: How Did Christina Lose?, by Sting7: Do you smell a rat? Sting7 does. Christina so obviously did better than RJ that it has him wondering how she could have gone. The fact that she wasn’t on hand for the dismissal makes things look even worse. What’s going on here?

Simon Says: American Idol Single Will Be a Hit, by Susan Schechter: When Simon talks, people listen - even if only to jeer. But Simon says the winner's single will be out immediately, and a full-length record will soon follow. The only real question now is if Simon himself will be on American Idol 2.

Handicapping Week 9 of ‘American Idol’, by Sting7: We heard the final six sing last night; who will go tonight? Sting7 is back to handicap the race to become the American Idol. Did Justin pull himself up? Did RJ fall down? Who will be leaving us? Read on to see our best bets.

Thoughts and Impressions from American Idol, Week 8, by David Bloomberg: Justin squeaked by, Nikki shouted to get by, Ryan didn’t get by. Let’s take a look at Week 8 of American Idol to see what went right, what went wrong, and why Ryan just went.

American Idol, Week 8: Strange Votes, by Dana Walker: Seven more contestants sing (well, six sing and one shouts), resulting in another vote. The surprising results prove that, well, perhaps America is tone deaf. But most importantly, has Dana forgiven Justin?

Handicapping Week 8 of 'American Idol', by Sting7: After last night's performance, who will come out ahead and who will say goodbye? Sting7 handicaps the players and says it will be Nikki who leaves this week. Is he right?

Thoughts and Impressions from American Idol, Week 7, by David Bloomberg: It was not a good week for most of the American Idol contestants. Some did poorly, some smarted off to the judges, and some did both. But the one who expected to go did not, and one I had hoped would go did.

Interview with American Idol’s Natalie Burge, by David Bloomberg: Natalie Burge, the 17-year-old American Idol semi-finalist from Morton, Illinois, has impressed many with her talent and maturity. Now she talks to RealityNewsOnline about the show, her plans for the future, what she really thinks of the judges, and more!

American Idol, Week 7: Betrayal, by Dana Walker: As the judges noted, this was not the best week for our American Idol singers, as a whole. For that matter, it wasn’t a very good week for the voters, either. And Dana? Well, she was completely betrayed. Find out how.

Thoughts and Impressions from American Idol, Week 6, by David Bloomberg: Two are gone, eight remain. What happened to the sympathy vote? And when will they be doing a heavy metal theme week? Read on for more thoughts on this first week of the Top 10.

American Idol, Week 6: Two Gone, But Were They the Right Two?, by Dana Walker: Wow, when Dana gets going, she REALLY gets going. Check out her full recap of last week’s American Idol events, including who sucked, who was great, and who should be the final winner.

Age and Talent on ‘American Idol’, by David Bloomberg: Delano Cagnolatti was booted from American Idol for being too old. Find out some additional info on how he was discovered and see how his replacement, EJay Day, has taken a slap at Cagnolatti.

American Idol, Week 5: The Wild Wildcard, by Dana Walker: It was a wild wildcard battle -- with some of those who had done well previously giving perhaps their worst performance, and some who hadn't done quite as well outshining the rest. What happened, when did it happen, and why? Dana gives us the full story.

Thoughts and Impressions from American Idol, Week 5: The Wildcard, by David Bloomberg: The viewers had their say for the first nine, but the judges picked the wildcard this week to round out the top ten. How well did each one sing? Did the judges make the right pick? Or did they end up falling for the very same "sympathy vote" they have criticized in viewers?

Thoughts and Impressions from American Idol, Week 4, by David Bloomberg: The judges fought, the contestants sang (well, some of 'em), and the viewers picked the last three of the final ten. Was Simon right? Or did the judges repeatedly contradict themselves? Or both?

American Idol – Who, Oh Who Will the Wild Card Be?, by Dana Walker: The viewers have chosen nine to move on, now the judges get to have their say for the tenth. How will they pick? Who will they pick? Here are Dana's thoughts on the whole thing.

American Idol, Week 4: Excitement with the Judges, Not the Singers, by Dana Walker: We've had our first week of American Idol, and our first three finalists. Before the next 10 go up for a vote, let's look at how the previous 10 did, where they went wrong, and where they hit the high notes.

Thoughts and Impressions from American Idol, Week 3, by David Bloomberg: Once again, the voters have had their say, and they have differed some from the judges. Justin was whisked into the finals, but the other two of the top three were not exactly unaminous decisions. Here are some general impressions about week 3.

American Idol, Week 3: Dana’s Justin & Two Others Move On, by Dana Walker: After a fairly tough competition, we've got the second group of three who move on. Once again, the judges got it right for the first pick but weren't in synch with the rest of America after that.

South African Idols – Mired in Controversy, by Andrew Gladwin: While the British version of Pop Idols was a huge hit, and American Idols seems to be following the same path, the South African version had numerous problems that mired it in controversy. Race played a role, but so did allegations of phone-in syndicates aimed at selecting a specific winner. Read all about it right here.

Thoughts and Impressions from American Idol, Week 2, by David Bloomberg: American Idol has its first three finalists -- two of whom had been dissed by the judges. Let's take a look at how the judges might have affected the voting, and some other thoughts on the second week of the show.

American Idol, Week 2: Let the Vote Begin, by Dana Walker: We've had our first week of American Idol, and our first three finalists. Before the next 10 go up for a vote, let's look at how the previous 10 did, where they went wrong, and where they hit the high notes.

American Idol: Judges Aren't the Only Ones with Weight Bias, by Dana Walker: Simon has made it clear that he doesn't want anybody who has a few extra pounds in the finals. But even if he let them in, would the voters stand by them? Would people buy their records? History shows that, unfortunately, Simon isn't the only one with a bias.

Must an American Idol be Thin to Win?, by David Bloomberg: Simon and the other American Idol judges have made it clear that talent is not necessarily the main factor in judging -- thin is in, and a few extra pounds has sent several good contestants off before the public even had a chance to vote. But this isn't Simon's first run-in with the weight issue. You'd think he'd have learned something...

American Idol, Week 1, Episode 2: Down to 30, by Dana Walker: The 121 invited to the second round of auditions in Hollywood are cut down to 30 in a series of tough competitions. They need to learn new songs overnight, compete against one another, and somehow convince Simon that they can be the next American Idol. How will Jim, the singer-signer (shown at right), do?

American Idol, Episode 1: Harsh Reality, by Dana Walker: Spanning the country in a series of thousands upon thousands of auditions, we see some of the best (such as Justin, shown at left) -- and some of the worst -- who are trying to become the American Idol. There are some great singers who make it, and some really bad ones who thankfully don't. All the while we get scathing comments from Simon and some more polite ones from Paula Abdul. Plus, our own singer/songwriter/former reality show contestant Dana Walker provides her own viewpoint from one who has gone through the wringer.

American Idol: A Preview , by Dana Walker: Watch out, America, Nasty Simon has come over from the UK to help judge American Idol. And he's joined by... Paula Abdul?! Read on to catch all the preview info from Dana.

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