It comes as no surprise, but is still great news worth reporting:
Jennifer Hudson has been nominated for the Academy Award of Best Supporting Actress.
The American Idol star is considered the favorite in the field over: Adriana Barraza, Rinko Kikuchi, Cate Blanchett and Abigail Breslin.
We wish Jennifer the best of luck! Here she is with Dreamgirls co-stars:
The Boston Herald has a simple message for fans: Donât feel so sad for the dissed on American Idol.
For some, itâs the best thing that ever happened to them.
Last week, judge Simon Cowell said Kenneth Briggs looked like a âbush babyâ and mocked Jonathan Jayneâs weight.
After five seasons of the show, itâs obvious that the producers only send through two kinds of contestants: the talented and those who would be better off speaking in sign language.
Since their American Idol Six spanking, Briggs - who says he wants to go by the name Michael Swale - and Jayne have been working the talk show circuit. They appeared last week on ABCâs âJimmy Kimmel.â
Yesterday, the two sat down for a chat with Todayâs Meredith Vieira that seemed to run twice as long as the showâs segment on Hillary Clintonâs decision to run for president.
Jayne confessed to Vieira that heâd next like to hit her old stomping ground, The View.
Surprise: They both have managers. If they can keep their chokehold on the spotlight, they may have careers worthy of William Hung. Remember him?
Yes, the judges on Foxâs American Idol are mean.
Next in news: war is bad, puppies are cute and apple pie tastes mighty fine.
Itâs not until the live rounds - when viewers take control and decide who goes on to the next round - that American Idol transforms itself from the ugly stepsister of reality shows to the Cinderella story we all love.
Whatâs irksome is how much the judges moan about their long days and how they canât put up with listening to one more bad singer.
Please. They are paid millions - millions - for what is a part-time gig in which they get to act like Hollywood fairy godmothers and set someone on a path to wealth and fame. And they act like itâs an imposition for them to be there, that theyâre doing the world a favor.
But itâs too much to expect a little class from American Idol. After five seasons, however, we need to stop being surprised by the off-note dramatics.
Who says American Idol is too mean?
Producers of the show recently came up with a way to help an Oklahoma Navy officer who faced a missed tryout because his wife gave birth to their second child.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Phil Stacey of Shawnee persuaded producers in Memphis to let him audition early so he could return to Jacksonville and be with his wife, Kendra, and their new daughter.
In return, American Idol did ask for Stacey had to arrange to videotape their reunion.
Stacey's father-in-law - Mark McIntosh of Shawnee - says the producers like the taped reunion enough that they plan to use it on the show. Look for it this evening.
We've all seen the interview footage at this point - as well as watched her during American Idol auditions.
But now Paula Abdul is sticking up for her sober self. She held a press conference Saturday to explain recent, odd behavior.
âIâve never been drunk,â she told television journalists at the panel discussion in Pasadena, California. âIâm not under the influence of anything.
The 44-year-old American Idol judge has given several recent television interviews in which she exhibited slurred speech and even appeared to fall asleep mid-questioning.
The issue isn't new.
On an episode of American Idol last March, when asked about one contestantâs elimination, she responded randomly with: âSimon says because one of them ate pizza and the other one ate salad.â
During the same broadcast, she uttered a mixed metaphor involving a moth and a melon, prompting fellow judge Randy Jackson to ask what she had been drinking.
While Abdul said itâs in her nature to make fun of herself, she assured reporters that she takes her position as a public figure seriously.
âIâm doing my job and having fun,â she said. âAlthough I might not take myself seriously, there are young girls watching me, and I know Iâm a role model. Iâve been a teacher, and the fact that some of them would look up to me and want to be the next choreographer or the next singer, I would not violate that trust.â
He's a shy 17-year old already being hailed as the next American Idol.
For those that missed the initial audition of Sanjaya Malakar, here's a chance to hear his beautiful voice for yourself. And an opportunity to enjoy it again for fans that were tuning in last week:
We asked this question previously of Kelly Clarkson.
Now, we'd like readers to chime in on their preferred look for American Idol Five runner-up, Katharine McPhee. Do you like the star all made up? Or all natural?
We hope you're enjoying the latest round of American Idol singers - we're rooting for Sarah Krueger so far - but here's an update on what former contestants are up to:
After the first week of American Idol auditions, no way it's too early to rank the favorites. We thank Entertainment Weekly for the list below and would love to hear your take on the hopefuls so far ...
1) Sarah Krueger (pictured)
She's beautiful, she's unassuming, and she gave a tremendous rendition of ''Somewhere Over the Rainbow.'' Only concern: Did her song choice (and delivery) make her look like a copycat of season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee?
2) Sanjaya Malakar
Younger half of a potent brother-sister combo tackled Stevie Wonder - and unlike so many Idol wannabes, didn't sacrifice melody for charisma. Give the kid a buzz cut, combine with his megawatt smile, and you've got a contender.
3) Rudy Cardenas
Watching Paula Abdul drool (and Ryan Seacrest go in for a half-hug) over the 28-year-old Venezuelan-born hunk was high comedy, but the guy's mighty fine rendition of Journey's ''Open Arms'' proves his American Idol aspirations are no laughing matter.
4) Shyamali Malakar
Granted, her jazzy take on ''Summertime'' wasn't at Fantasia levels, but at least she did it her way. Not only that, Sanjaya's sister is sassy without being mouthy, and her success would leave Simon Cowell regretting that ''nothing unique'' critique.
5) Matt Sato
This 16-year-old's tearful phone call to mom was the emotional highlight of Idol's first week, but if we're being honest, his compelling backstory upstaged a good, but somewhat oversung, rendition of ''California Dreamin'.''
6) Blake Lewis
Human beatbox with insanely spiky hair scored a ticket to Hollywood - bringing his dad to tears - with a crazy-skillful rendition of Seal's ''Crazy,'' but Simon had a point that the guy may not be quite as good as he thinks he is.
7) Denise Jackson
Her ''And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going'' had power but lacked subtlety - much like her hooched-out red minidress and black crocheted sweater. One also has to wonder, was that ''crack baby'' revelation too much too soon?
8. Jordin Sparks
Clearly has The Voice, but not sure this 16-year-old daughter of an NFL star has the emotional depth to go with it. Seriously, choosing a Celine Dion power ballad as audition material? Yikes. Could be this year's answer to Lisa Tucker.
9) Michelle Steingas
Musically, it's hard to fault this 19-year-old's charming take on Deana Carter's ''If This Is Love,'' but riddle us this: If you had to pick her out of a lineup right now, could you do it?
10) Jarrod Fowler
Charming Navy officer already triumphed in the USS Reagan's internal Idol challenge, but his rendition of ''Bless the Broken Road'' drew the dreaded cry of ''pitchiness'' from guest judge Jewel - and justifiably so.
11) Thomas Daniels
Chihuahua-carrying vocalist delivered a soulful, straightforward take on Amos Lee's ''Arms of a Woman,'' but teenage drunk-driving mug shot is already circulating the Internet.
12) Anna Kearns
The likable diva's eye-popping 6-foot-4 frame and flawless sense of rhythm could make her a future favorite with the drag-queen set, but her ''R-e-s-p-e-c-t'' was only ''d-e-c-e-n-t.''
13) Perla Meneses
Not even the judges enjoyed her wobbly take on ''Call Me,'' but a last-minute Shakira imitation, complete with come-hither jiggle, stamped a ticket to Hollywood. We'll be shocked if her ''hips'' carry her to the top 24.
14) Rachel Jenkins
Simon noted the sweet Army reservist's ''His Eye Is on the Sparrow'' started well, then ''fell apart'' - and he was putting it nicely. Which leaves us wondering: Why exactly is she going to Hollywood?
The Fox TV network chief on Saturday dismissed talk of unusual cruelty by the judges on American Idol this year, saying he's heard from people who think the show has actually been toned down.
"The judges and their scrutiny, I think, are a big part of what makes American Idol American Idol,'" Peter Liguori, Fox entertainment president, told reporters after coming under scrutiny.
The talent show and cultural phenomenon returned with a vengeance this past week, with episodes on Tuesday and Wednesday attracting around 37 million viewers. The episodes featured auditions by the good, the bad and the awful from Minneapolis and Seattle.
But some questioned whether the judges have been over the top this season in their sometimes harsh critiques of prospective Idols.
Simon Cowell, whose reputation for blunt, nasty put-downs was established at the series' beginning, was in peak form, telling one contestant that his singing was horrendous and he looked like a "bush baby."
Cowell's counterpart, Randy Jackson, told one contestant his audition was awful and perhaps ruined his business.
"You shouldn't be a vocal teacher. I wouldn't take vocal lessons from you, I wouldn't tell anybody to take vocal lessons from you," Jackson said.
On ABC's The View this past week, Rosie O'Donnell - always looking to stir things up, be it with Donald Trump or pretty much anyone else - lashed out at the way contestants were treated by the judges, who she termed "three millionaires, one probably intoxicated."
"If you keep serving people crap and telling them it's a meal, they're eventually going to think it is a meal," O'Donnell jabbed.
Fox's Liguori said the judges know what makes American Idol and that this is just the continuation of a successful formula.
"Let's face it, the show has been on the air six years, the judges have been critical for six years," he said.
The judges' harsh assessments also were defended by Geffen Records chairman Ron Fair, who is about to take on a Simon Cowell-like role on an upcoming Pussycat Dolls reality show for the CW network, "Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll."
"In order to have a reputation and continue in a healthy manner in this business, you have to tell people 'no' all day long," he said.
"I'm telling people 'I'm not going to sign you, that song is not a hit' ... And there's no gracious or wonderful way to tell somebody, whose hopes and dreams are on the line: 'no.'"
Nothing new here. Just a retrospective look by People at the runners-up in American Idol's brief history. These five singing standouts may have come in second, but they're still Idols to millions. Well, sometimes.
Here's the magazine's photo feature of the fabulous five who dazzled us on American Idol and (almost) went all the way.
KATHARINE MCPHEE / American Idol Season 5 Runner-Up
After opening up about her struggle with bulimia, Katharine McPhee became a role model not just for her voice (which Simon Cowell called the "best of the competition" in 2006), but for her courage. The 22-year-old, who has found love with actor Nick Cokas, will release her self-titled debut album on January 30. "I am just the person who didn't want to settle for not having everything I dreamed of," she says.
BO BICE / American Idol Season 4 Runner-Up
Bo Bice, who lost the 2005 title to country sweetheart Carrie Underwood, has been enjoying his family life with wife, Caroline Fisher, and 15-month-old son, Aiden. The rocker is also working on a follow-up to his 2005 chart-topping debut, The Real Thing. "They allow me to go out and pretend I'm a rock star for three-quarters of the year, and when I get home, they ground me," said the candid, often self-deprecating Bo Bice.
DIANA DEGARMO / American Idol Season 3 Runner-Up
Second to Fantasia Barrino in 2004, DeGarmo released her debut album (Blue Skies) at only 17 years of age. She's found greater footing, however, in the field of musical theater. "It's led me ... where I want to be, a singer for the people," she told the Dallas Morning News in July. Diana DeGarmo won raves last year as Penny Pingleton in Broadway's "Hairspray," and is back with the show after doing a summer tour with Brooklyn: "The Musical."
CLAY AIKEN / American Idol Season 2 Runner-Up
Yes, we are forced to do a double-take every time we're reminded he didn't win. Ask the "Claymates" - his legion of fans - and they'll tell you the same. The 28-year-old North Carolinan, who recently released his third album, A Thousand Different Ways, is known for his sharp wit and big heart. And oh, that voice. But there's something else Clay Aiken would like to accomplish: starting a family. "I want to be a father so badly," he told People in September.
JUSTIN GUARINI / American Idol Season 1 Runner-Up
He once described his post-American Idol career path as a "free fall," but despite his setbacks, Justin Guarini (who lost to Kelly Clarkson in the show's 2002 first season) hasn't given up. He's currently at work on a follow-up to his recently released jazz album, Stranger Things Have Happened, and is filming a comedy, Fast Girl. "To be able to go around the country and keep making music, the one overriding emotion I have is gratitude," he said.
