The first telecast of The Fantasia Barrino Story: Life is Not a Fairy Tale attracted about 6.6 million viewers Saturday, the second largest audience for a Lifetime movie in in the network's 22-year history.

The telecast of the much-anticipated Fantasia Barrino biopic ranked second among all cable programming last week, trailing only an episode of The Closer on TNT. An encore Sunday night ranked seventh for the week with an impressive 5 million viewers.

Some people loved it. Many were inspired. Others were not so impressed. American Idol executives say they are portrayed unrealistically. The AIW staff has read many reviews and thought readers might want to hear what other fans are saying. Here's what one Idol blog, foxesonidol.com, had to say:

Lifetime movies generally fall into one of two categories -- the "I don’t love you anymore and now you must die" dramas or "my life has been hell but I have overcome the odds" inspirational true stories. Both are normally full of clichés and are usually fairly predictable, but frequently, the inspirational true stories really are inspiring.

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The next season of American Idol is four months away from airing, yet it's still on readers' minds. Yesterday, an MSNBC column posed a particularly good question about about an infamous part of the show: The really, really bad singers who populate its early audition footage.

Why does American Idol waste people's time by putting people through to the next round of auditions that obviously can’t sing? This is so frustrating to many viewers, who are drawn by the notion of -- crazy as it sounds -- picking the best.

Moreover, why do people waste American Idol’s time by standing in line for days just to make an ass out of themselves?

If you’re talking about the eventual finalists, and not the talent-less singers, the question makes an interesting point. Many fans of CBS' Rock Star cite the level of talent as one of its primary attractions, and the implicit corollary is that the talent on American Idol is weak.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Not sure how valid that theory is, seeing that perhaps the most talented Idol contestant yet, Chris Daughtry, was rejected from Rock Star.

Ultimately, the real answer is that American Idol has never been solely about talent. It’s also about creating spectacle and drama, and creator Simon Fuller and his producers are ultimately out to make a TV show. Four years ago, the audition segments were what hooked the entire nation on American Idol, and since then, the parade of idiots continues to draw massive ratings... not to mention idiots who try out next season.

Even when Idol selects people who can sing, those people need to be uber-talented, but also charisma also plays a huge role.

How else can you explain the likes of Bucky Covington and Scott Savol? Yes they can sing a little (even a lot), but they're characters. American Idol is a business above all else, and needs people that fans can gravitate to. If no one watched the early episodes in which people in cow costumes shrieked the national anthem, or raged at Simon Cowell for not recognizing their implicit genius... those kind of episodes wouldn't be on.

But they are. And we watch.

In closing, there are only two words: William Hung. The genial kid from Berkeley (pictured above) couldn't sing a lick, but he parlayed his horrible voice into three albums, a movie, an appearance on Fox's comedy classic Arrested Development, a bevy of commercial contracts and a truly frightening level of fame.

He started it. No-names with no discernible talent the nation overlooked saw Hung and thought to themselves this happen and told themselves, "Hey, I also have no vocal talent to speak of! But I, too, would like to have a large quantity of money and fame handed to me."

Hard to blame them, in a way. While it's unlikely anyone can recreate Hung-style craziness this January, that doesn't mean thousands won't try.

Constantine Maroulis, a finalist on the fourth season of American Idol in 2005, is breaking into theater. The 30-year-old will join the cast of The Wedding Singer in early September in the role of Sammy, the not-so-bright bandmate of the title character. Maroulis has signed on for an eight-week run in the show, replacing Matthew Saldivar.

While attending the Boston Conservatory of Music and Berklee College of Music, Maroulis appeared onstage in shows such as Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Jesus Christ Superstar. In 2002, he apprenticed at the Williamstown Theater Festival, where he appeared alongside Ron Leibman and Diane Venora in Donald Margulies' God of Vengeance.

For most of the next year, he toured North America and Asia as Roger in Rent and began his own rock band, Pray for the Soul of Betty. Among the highlights of Maroulis's stint on American Idol was his rendition of "My Funny Valentine" during the show's Broadway theme week. Although he was voted off (Carrie Underwood eventually won), he became one of the show's most popular finalists.

Last summer, Maroulis toured North America with the other Idol finalists and performed his version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" on The Tonight Show in support of his inclusion on Hollywood Records' Killer Queen tribute CD. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native is currently at work on his solo debut album, with an EP planned for early fall, and a full length release set for 2007.

She's a busy girl, touring the country and singing her heart out. But if you thought fame was going to Kellie Pickler's head, you'd be dead wrong. The down-home North Carolina girl is still the same kid we fell in love with this spring, and her personality continues to shine brightly and warm our hearts. Boy, does she love exclaimation points! Kellie was kind enough to share her thoughts on the tour with USA Today this week. Here's her journal entry:

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It feels like only yesterday when I got in line at the Greensboro Coliseum for the Season 5 auditions for American Idol. I will never forget the feeling that came over me when Paula, Randy, and Simon gave me my golden ticket and said, "Welcome to Hollywood."

That was the beginning of the rest of my life. Thank you again, everyone at American Idol -- you have made what I thought was only a dream become a reality!

Since American Idol ended in May of this year, the Top 10 Idols including myself have been on the road touring the country. We've only been on the tour a few weeks and so much has happened. Follow me on my journey with who America chose as its top 10 American Idols!

So far we have toured throughout the East Coast and we are not done yet! We have had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people. I will never forget one night when we finished a show, Cyndi Lauper came backstage and just hung out with us and gave us tips on performing and taking care of our voices. We all couldn't believe that she was at our concert.

We were all in shock that she knew who we were. She was so nice and gave great advice. That same week when we were in New York, Elliott, Chris, Ace, Bucky, and I met all the guys from Nickelback. They invited us to their concert and put on an incredible concert and also gave us great advice. Once again, it was crazy to think that these legendary artists knew who we were!

When I thought it couldn't get any better I was wrong ... the next day I received a phone call from my manager saying that I was invited to be a guest cohost on The View!!!! So not only did I have the privilege to tour with the top 10 Idols but now I get to be on The View! Now I have to be honest, I was so nervous sitting beside Barbara Walters. I was so scared that I would embarrass myself.

I think that was the first time I actually thought about what I was going to say before I said it! It was also a really important day for me as I was able to exclusively announce my big news, my record deal with 19 Recordings /BNA Records!! I’m so excited to part of the Sony BMG family and can’t wait to start recording my album!

New York was definitely one of my favorite places!!!! Then we went to Washington, D.C., we were invited to tour the White House and meet the President. I have to be honest with you, when we were in the library I was a little curious, so I pushed on all of the bookshelves just to see if one of them happened to turn and lead into a secret passageway.

Then Bucky came over and told me that I was doing it wrong, and he started pulling on all the books like they were levers! It was just like you see in movies except we didn't find anything ... ha ha! Being able to meet President Bush was an honor. It is not every day that you get to say that you toured the Oval Office and met the President. Mr. Bush was very inspiring and had great words of wisdom.

Our first hometown show was Elliott's hometown in Richmond, Va. It was a great show, everyone was Elliott-crazy. I will never forget looking out in that crowd ... everyone had on bright green shirts with Elliott's face on them and were waving bright green glow sticks. Richmond was a great way to kick off our first hometown show!

Next stop....... NORTH CAROLINA!!!!!

Bucky, Chris, and I were so excited about the Greensboro and Charlotte shows! It felt so good to be home even though it was for only a few days. We were all so excited about being back in the South! Man, had we missed the Southern cooking.

The first thing Bucky did when we got off the bus was order a big glass of sweet tea! Mandisa and I were so happy when we got off the bus in Greensboro and people greeted us by saying "Hey ya’ll!!" For once we were surrounded by the same accent! North Carolina was one of the best audiences we’d had! I am very lucky to come from a state that supports me like they do!

Until next time...

Love,
Kellie!

Hit TV shows seldom make for hit video games. American Idol has already been translated into the medium, and the game flopped.

Yet another video game company, Konami, thinks it can succeed with its own version of TV's top reality show. Why? The interaction. The judges. The songs. How can you go wrong, right? "Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol" for PlayStation 2, due out this winter, will allow gamers to sing into a microphone and get their crooning rated by the show's judges.

Two of them, anyway. Konami announced that its game will include digital versions of Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. The much-maligned Paula Abdul will not be appearing, and no one has said why. AIW can only begin to imagine.

"For anyone who wants to know what it's like to audition in front of me, now you're going to find out," Cowell said, according to press release issued recently by Konami.

While Paula won't appear in cyber form to be amazed and inspired by your efforts, she'll be there in spirit, VH1 reports -- a cover of her song "Straight Up" will be among the 40 tracks players can sing to in the game.

Also included will be Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway," Taylor Hicks' "Do I Make You Proud," Ruben Studdard's "Flying Without Wings," Bo Bice's "The Real Thing" and the Clay Aiken staple "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me."

Rounding out the track list are covers of songs such as Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf" and the William Hung / Ricky Martin classic, "She Bangs."

The "Karaoke Revolution" game requires players to sing along to versions of popular songs. The games typically depict a lone singer performing onstage. The crowd cheers, and lights and pyro flash when the player's singing is at the right pitch. The effects stop and the boos rain down upon you when the singing clangs.

Konami's "Idol" game will bring wannabe players through each of the show's signature stages, from audition venues to the finals. They can rise through the ranks of a solo-singing campaign or play with friends in sing-offs and duets. According to the company, the game will also include video footage of performances from the past five seasons' winners.

It's a nationwide phenomenon, but if one city could lay claim to American Idol, it would have to be Birmingham, Alabama. Boasting two of the series' five winners in Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks, and nearly a third in runner-up Bo Bice, the city is clearly the cradle of Idols. But only this year did it get to host auditions for the coming season.

Thousands of people awoke in the pre-dawn hours and headed on down to the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center to audition for Season 6 of the hit Fox TV show.

The excitable crowd waited outside the BJCC for almost five hours before auditioning, but the wait wasn’t all bad: They were treated to an appearance by the host of American Idol, Ryan Seacrest (pictured).

Those lucky enough to impress the judges in the early rounds earned a shot at the big guns -- Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul -- and with the trio's approval, a chance to go to Los Angeles. Here's a glimpse of a quartet of contestants who made it through to Hollywood, courtesy of USA Today:

Devin Johnson, 17, of Columbus, Ga. -- A senior at Hardaway High, Devin has already been to the Idol heights... or at least the foothills. He made it to Hollywood last year in the group round, but couldn't advance to the finals. Devin, who sang the Luther Vandross version of "A House Is Not a Home" and the Donny Hathaway version of "For All We Know," said he was much less nervous this time around.

Craig Pullem, 26, from Broadview, Ill. -- This aspirant flew down for the audition to recapture past glory. He made it to Hollywood in Season 4, but lost last year in the Chicago auditions. This year he thinks he has a shot, having passed the first round by singing two showcases for '50s teen star Frankie Lymon, "The ABC's of Love" and "Goody Goody." His goal? To be the fat Justin Timberlake. Seriously.

Heather Reed, 20, of Gainesville, Ga. -- This student at Gainesville State College regularly sings at the Lakewood Baptist Church in Gainesville, Ga., before as many as 3,000 people. She found the audition a tougher challenge. "I thought I would relax, but it's a lot easier to sing in front of 3,000 people instead of two," she said, calling it nerve-wracking and exciting." Heather sang Sara Evans' "Born to Fly" and the gospel tune "It Is Well with My Soul."

Jason Qualls, 23, of Birmingham, Ala. -- A photographer/graphic designer, Jason displayed a varied musical palette. He sang Keith Urban's country ballad "Tonight I Want to Cry," The Temptations'" My Girl" and, fittingly, "Sweet Home Alabama." The judges would give hime something to shoot for, he said, asking him to vary the tempo and style.

Rocker Chris Daughtry may not have won American Idol, but his presence on the show made a lasting impression. The North Carolina product has topped AOL's 2006 "TV's Top 5! Viewer Awards."

According to the blogging wizards at TMZ.com, Daughtry's shockingly early elimination from American Idol -- despite being favored to top Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin and eventual winner Taylor Hicks, he finished in fourth place -- ranked as the fan pick for the best moment of the past TV season. Probably because of the shock value, not because Chris lost!

The TV's Top 5! recognizes the most talked about memorable 2006 TV moments in categories like best Trainwreck Moment and Best Steamy Smooches. Fans voted online for their favorite nominated clips.

Chris, who is working on his debut album with numerous collaborators, and whose star status has risen ever since his ouster from Idol, is probably over it by now. Other winners include Jennifer Garner accidentally admitting the sex of her baby on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno for Best Celeb Did What?! Moment and the kiss between Derek and Meredith on Grey's Anatomy for Best Too Close for Comfort Moment.

Surly, yet somehow charming American Idol judge Simon Cowell will be a presenter at this Sunday's 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. The brash Brit will also lead the telecast's special tribute to Dick Clark.

Clark, 76, is one of TV's longest-running and best-known personality. He has long been known for his continued youthful appearance, earning the moniker "America's Oldest Teenager," and also for his good health until he suffered a stroke in 2004.

Though known primarily for his blunt, sarcastic American Idol judging, the 46-year old Cowell achieved celebrity status on Pop Idol, the UK version of American Idol that spawned the U.S. version.

His production company, SYCO, also produces the award-winning X Factor, the No. 1 entertainment show in the U.K. While his non-compete clause prevents him from appearing on other shows, Cowell created and served as executive producer on America's Got Talent and the forthcoming Celebrity Duets.

Season Five American Idol contestant Ayla Brown, 18, has signed a record deal and will have a CD set for release in October.

The Wrentham, Mass., native and soon-to-be Boston College freshman will release her first single from the album, called Forward, on September 14. Double Deal Records is producing the CD and single.

Serious fans may remember that for her audition song last season, Brown belted out the classic "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul overrode Simon Cowell by a 2-1 vote and sent her through to Hollywood.

During the Hollywood rounds, Ayla sang "Reflection" by Christina Aguilera, "I Want You To Need Me" by Celine Dion and the hit "Unwritten" by Natasha Beddingfield, before ultimately finishing in 13th place.

Chris Daughtry turned down an offer to become the frontman of Fuel, but that's not stopping him from drafting the band's guitarist to work on his much-anticipated debut.

Fuel's Carl Bell is on a list of rockers that includes Rob Thomas, Three Doors Down singer Brad Arnold and SR-71 singer (and Bo Bice collaborator) Mitch Allan, who are writing tunes with the American Idol finalist for his forthcoming album, MTV reports.

As previously reported, Daughtry's debut will be helmed by one producer -- Howard Benson, whose credits include the All-American Rejects, My Chemical Romance and Papa Roach.

Chris, whose rendition of Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive" was a smash hit on American Idol this spring and continues to maintain a presence on the Billboard charts, is forming a band to back him on tour. As a unit, the band will assume his surname (à la Bon Jovi) and be called Daughtry.

The as-yet-untitled album is due November 21, with the first single hitting radio in late September. Daughtry, who recently bought a new house with wife Deanna and their two adopted children, is still performing as part of the American Idols Live tour, which runs through September 24 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. But he has been doing some writing and recording on off-days, and we're excited to hear the fruits of that labor!