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American Idol: season 8, episode 40
Winner Revealed
May 20, 2009 - 10:05p.m.
In case you somehow managed to get to this writeup and still don't know who won and STILL want it to be a surprise I won't reveal it until the bottom of the piece. But I don't ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 39
Final Performance Show
May 19, 2009 - 08:05p.m.
I had a weird feeling today. It was actual anticipation, if not excitement, for tonight's final performance show. All throughout the season it was interesting, if not always pleasurable, to see what Adam would do with his time onstage ...
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American Idol: season 8, episode 38
1 of 3 Voted Off
May 13, 2009 - 10:05p.m.
I was worried that I'd be emotionally wiped out after watching the finale of America's Next Top Model but even for a mediocre results show tonight's Idol results were kind of exciting to wait for.
The episode ...
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American Idol: season 8, episode 37
Top Three Perform
May 12, 2009 - 09:05p.m.
I'm not going to try to be impartial in tonight's evaluation of the top three. After all, I do honestly think Adam, Danny and Kris are all good singers. But two of those guys tend to annoy the ...
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American Idol: season 8, episode 36
1 of 4 Voted Off
May 6, 2009 - 10:05p.m.
Well, I did not get the top three I had hoped for. I don't know if there is a single singer left on Idol who I really hope wins the competition, but there is one person who I do ...
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American Idol: season 8, episode 35
4 Finalists Compete
May 5, 2009 - 09:05p.m.
I was kind of excited about rock week. I looked forward to finding out how tonight's contestants interpreted "rock” and seeing how Slash liked Adam, let alone what the hell Slash would tell the singers about SINGING, although compared ...
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American Idol: season 8, episode 34
One of Five Voted Off
April 29, 2009 - 09:04p.m.
I silently mocked Jamie Foxx for calling the current Idol contestants "five that shocked the world" but I did realize tonight that this is probably the best top five Idol has seen in a long time, maybe ever. I wasn ...
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American Idol: season 8, episode 33
Top 5 Perform
April 28, 2009 - 10:04p.m.
I really didn't intend to lead with a lame swine flu joke tonight, but I think I have it. What else could explain the two things that happened tonight: that I didn't hate Rat Pack Night, and that ...
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American Idol: season 8, episode 32
2 of 7 Voted Off
April 22, 2009 - 09:04p.m.
Those of you with DVRs, be thankful: for a double-elimination, the Idol producers squandered an opportunity to make it much more than a ho-hum elimination night.First, the group performance. It probably wouldn't have seemed so bad if we ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 31
Seven Finalists Compete (Again)
April 21, 2009 - 10:04p.m.
Tonight's Idol felt a little off tonight, maybe because one less contestant should have been on the stage, or maybe because, really, three less contestants should be there. I'm ready just to see Adam, Danny, Allison and Kris ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 30
1 of 7 Voted Off
April 15, 2009 - 10:04p.m.
Wow, really?I guess I’m surprised by tonight’s Idol, but in a “Hmm, that’s kind of wack,” way and not “OMG TV excitement!”Big news, Idol watchers: the save was employed tonight, but I’m going to ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 29
7 Finalists Compete
April 14, 2009 - 09:04p.m.
I love how much Quentin Tarantino loves American Idol. It reminds me of how much I love that my similarly tall, cool-dude friend Leonard Pierce loves American Idol. Say, didn't he do a great job filling in for me ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 28
1 of 8 Voted Off
April 8, 2009 - 09:04p.m.
Hi again, Idol recap readers! As always, it's an honor and a pleasure sitting in for Claire Zulkey, the best damn singing competition post-show analysis writer on the internet. She'll be resuming her duties next week, but tonight ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 27
8 Finalists Compete
April 7, 2009 - 10:04p.m.
Howdy, Idol watchers and non-watchers alike! While our beloved Claire is soaking up some sunshine on vacation, it falls to me to do the recaps this week, because I'm still tuning in for some reason. If this reads a ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 26
1 of 9 Voted Off
April 1, 2009 - 09:04p.m.
Maybe to compensate for how crabby I was last night, I felt strangely into tonight's Idol results show, or maybe it was because I was promised David Cook and Lady Gaga. David wasn't my choice for winner last ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 25
9 Finalists Compete
March 31, 2009 - 10:03p.m.
Maybe I was in a crabby mood tonight, since in retrospect it seemed like I had some complaint about every Idol performer, but tonight's episode for me was where the merely not-as-goods transformed into intolerables. It started, I’m ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 24
1 of 10 Voted Off
March 26, 2009 - 08:03p.m.
My first evil thought of the night was, "Are Scott and Stevie Wonder going to have a powwow over what it's like to be a blind musician?" I feel like a jerk for thinking it but admit it--you wouldn ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 23
10 Finalists Compete
March 25, 2009 - 09:03p.m.
There are actually a lot of pretty good singers on Idol this season. I think I'm going to declare my favorite of the season to be Allison, because, well, like Danny and Adam, she can obviously, totally, definitely sing ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 22
1 of 11 Voted Off
March 18, 2009 - 09:03p.m.
Pardon me, Mr. Seacrest, but you promised results that may shock me tonight, not results that I 2/3 of the way totally predicted. Ryan also promised that there might be a surprise or two tonight, which I didn't ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 21
11 Finalists Compete
March 17, 2009 - 10:03p.m.
So it's country week on Idol, and finally we got to see a guest mentor working with the singers: good old Randy Travis, who somehow looks both older and younger than he ought to. Does anybody remember that old ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 20
2 of 13 Voted Off
March 11, 2009 - 01:03a.m.
We finally found out the big surprise twist tonight: the "Judges' Save." In order to prevent somebody from going home too early, the judges now have the option of using a one-time opportunity to rescue someone who would otherwise be ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 19
13 Finalists Compete
March 10, 2009 - 02:03a.m.
So the big surprise of the night, other than the completely weird introduction of Ryan and the judges, was that two people will be eliminated from the top thirteen tomorrow, basically kind of undoing whatever went on during wild card ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 16
Judges' Wild Card
March 5, 2009 - 09:03a.m.
The wild card round. All about second chances, redemption, tenacity, and not at all pre-determined, right?Jesse Langstreth sang first. Man, that girl loves her some chunky knits. Anyway, she wanted to show her range and sang "Tell Me Something ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 15
"3 Finalists Chosen"
March 4, 2009 - 08:03a.m.
I am kind of confused but I've been that way for the last few weeks. We learned more tonight about Idol’s wild card process, but it's still not entirely clear. Maybe it never will be. But more ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 14
Group 3 Performs
March 3, 2009 - 04:03a.m.
Some of you commenters were predicting that this would be the most competitive group of the Top 36, and I thought "Yeah, that's what I thought about the other two groups until they sucked ass." I don't know ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 13
Group Two Eliminations
February 26, 2009 - 09:02a.m.
As Ryan reminded us tonight, Idol is now in our hands. "What have you done?" he asked us, and then looked pointedly at Nick Marshall. OK Ryan, take it easy: you had a sweet night tonight: three montages plus a ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 12
Group 2 Performs
February 25, 2009 - 04:02p.m.
What was funny about tonight's episode is that at the beginning I thought it looked like a much more competitive group than last week’s. Before anyone sang I thought that between Jasmine Murray, Matt Giraud, Nick Mitchell, Megan ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 13
Group 1 Results Show
February 18, 2009 - 03:02p.m.
It's hard to evaluate these results shows, you know? Like in the pantheon of television history, tonight's episode was a tiny floating turd, but in the grand scheme of American Idol, it was ok as far as results ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 12
Top 36: Episode 1
February 17, 2009 - 04:02p.m.
Oh, goodness, this season of Idol isn't going to end until August, is it? Whee? So what's going on now is that there are three groups of twelve who are performing over the next three weeks and the ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 11
Hollywood Round #4
February 11, 2009 - 04:02p.m.
I'm always happy to have a chance to weigh in on Idol, and I know it's not Claire's fault that this is the particular night she hands the reins over to me. But God Almighty, is this ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 10
Hollywood Round #3
February 10, 2009 - 03:02p.m.
Like I've said before, I love Hollywood week, but not so much when it's ridiculously attenuated. First of all, I guess I can't call it Hollywood week anymore. But moreover, the excitement of this portion of Idol ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 9
Day Two of Hollywood Week
February 4, 2009 - 03:02p.m.
Oh, I wish every night of American Idol was group night. Because it's pleasing to see a handful of singers come together and utilize teamwork and put on a nice little performance. But it's even better when you ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 8
Day One of Hollywood Week
February 3, 2009 - 03:02p.m.
I'm sorry to tell you all that I'm back, hacking and wheezing, for Hollywood Week. Many thanks to my good buddy Leonard Pierce who handled the last week of Idol auditions in my absence. I couldn't miss ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 7
New York & San Juan Auditions
January 29, 2009 - 03:01p.m.
Hello again, everyone! Once again, Claire Zulkey, your regular chronicler of the pop-singing dreams of middle Americans with unnerving smiles that is American Idol, is under the weather, and watching this show never makes anyone feel better. So, like a ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 6
Salt Lake City Auditions
January 28, 2009 - 03:01p.m.
Hello there, American Idol fans! Claire is not feeling well tonight, possibly having been sickened by the sight of Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi’s faux-lesbionic makeout session last night. And whenever Claire feels like throwing up, she thinks of ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 5
Jacksonville Auditions
January 27, 2009 - 02:01p.m.
Tonight's Idol was surprisingly more entertaining than many of the other audition episodes, possibly because the sob stories were kept to a minimum. Or maybe it's because it just got off to a fun start, with Simon and ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 4
Louisville Auditions
January 21, 2009 - 02:01p.m.
Auditions took place in Louisville, a location that warmed my heart thanks to the guy at the beginning of the show singing in a Port-o-Let and emerging surprised to see a camera crew. I liked that guy, and the cute ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 3
San Francisco Auditions
January 20, 2009 - 03:01p.m.
After being glued to the screen all day, I hoped that Idol would be a nice stupid break from an intense day of viewing. Unfortunately I just wanted to go to sleep (or see inaugural ball footage) instead of watching ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 2
Kansas City Auditions
January 14, 2009 - 04:01p.m.
We've arrived in Kansas City, David Cook's hometown, for day two of auditions. Jason Castro looks high as ever. Go!We start with Chelsea Marquardt (any relation to Girl Next Door Bridget?) She's one of my favorite ... -
American Idol: season 8, episode 1
Season Premiere: Phoenix Auditions
January 13, 2009 - 04:01p.m.
So here we are again, American Idol viewers. I like this part of the season--everything is fresh-ish and kind of new and the tedium of the audition episodes has yet to become unbearable.Season 7 saw a decline in ratings ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 41
Season Finale
May 21, 2008 - 10:05p.m.
Of course the Idol finale was two hours long. It would take less than a second to announce who won, but that would take the fun out of everything, right?
Per usual with my results night recaps, let me get ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 40
Season Finale: Part I
May 20, 2008 - 09:05p.m.
It's a shame that the folks at Idol were so stuck on the stupid boxing schtick for part one of its season finale, because it was actually a pretty decent show, performance-wise. We still had to put up with ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 39
Results Show
May 14, 2008 - 09:05p.m.
I was never the biggest Fantasia fan, but she pretty much thrilled me tonight on Idol. It wasn't her singing, specifically, that delighted me, but it was what she brought to the stage that has been completely lacking all ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 38
The Top 3 Perform
May 13, 2008 - 09:05p.m.
Typically, tonight's episode of Idol is one of my favorites, where the judges and producers each choose a song for the contestants to sing. I like the challenge of it, as well as getting a little glimpse into the ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 37
Results Show
May 7, 2008 - 09:05p.m.
An Idol-loving friend just texted me "OK, I know it was his time, but I can't figure out why I'm so bummed!" I wrote back, "Because he seems fun and is cute in an atypical way."
In ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 36
The Top 4 Perform
May 6, 2008 - 09:05p.m.
Before tonight's episode, I predicted that Syesha and Jason would be the next Idol contestants to go, in that order. However, tonight we saw the final four perform, ostensibly the time when the singers pull out all the stops ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 35
"Results Show"
April 30, 2008 - 09:04p.m.
A couple of more thoughts on last night's episode, following up on what I wrote:
1. I definitely realize the limitations of Brooke and Jason as Idol performers, and I don't know that either of them will make ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 34
"The Top 5 Perform"
April 29, 2008 - 08:04p.m.
I've filled in for Claire on the performance show, and I've filled in for Claire on the results show; this week, I'm eating the whole enchilada. So lets dig in…
Jason Castro, "Forever In Blue Jeans"/"September ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 33
Results Show
April 23, 2008 - 09:04p.m.
We knew it would be a sweet kind of show when Ryan kissed Simon on the head to start the episode. It just made sense, even though it was kind of wrong, which was sort of what it was like ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 32
The Top 6 Perform
April 22, 2008 - 08:04p.m.
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Idol had the chance to show off the best (good clean guilty pleasures) and worst (corny and irrelevant oversinging) of itself tonight. While I was complaining about Idol's refusal to stay fresh and ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 31
Results Show
April 16, 2008 - 09:04p.m.
Many thanks again to Noel for covering for me last night as I celebrated the anniversary of my being expelled from the womb. It looks like my parents picked a good day to have me as very few blockbuster artists ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 30
"The Top 7 Perform"
April 15, 2008 - 09:04p.m.
The last time I filled in for Claire, I made some bold predictions about who would be going out when, and guess what? Five out of my predicted final five are still in play. I'd be tooting my own ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 29
Results Show
April 10, 2008 - 08:04p.m.
I did not have high hopes for tonight's episode but was I pleasantly surprised. I mean, I had all but been promised that Syesha would be going home. It was an additional episode in an already overblown week. And ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 28
Idol Gives Back
April 9, 2008 - 11:04p.m.
I'm not sure how to evaluate Idol Gives Back. Technically it involves everything I hate about Idol (the sincerity, or "sincerity") with none of the stuff that I love (the competition and interludes of nastiness). But, obviously, it's ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 27
The Top 8 Perform
April 8, 2008 - 09:04p.m.
Here are some things I learned tonight thanks to Idol's songs of inspiration week: there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and dreams do come true, if you believe in yourself and make every moment count ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 26
Results Show
April 2, 2008 - 09:04p.m.
Kristy Lee Cook needs to cease all attempts at being personable, because each week she becomes less bland and more insane. Yeah, we expect you'll go home soon too, but your bitter attitude come results time does not translate ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 25
The Top 9 Perform
April 1, 2008 - 08:04p.m.
I am a huge fan of Dolly Parton the person; I wish she'd be our next President. But I have only a rudimentary knowledge of her song catalog, so I was judging the wannabe Idols tonight by and large ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 24
Results Show
March 26, 2008 - 10:03p.m.
Why does Idol tend to have that one contestant who obviously should go home but is safe week after week? Last season it was Sanjaya, before that, John Stevens. Kristy Lee Cook is by no means as poor a singer ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 23
The Top 10 Perform
March 25, 2008 - 09:03p.m.
I realized tonight that our top ten is most dull: is it possible to eliminate five people tomorrow night instead of just one? I would like to toss Jason and Brooke for doing the same damn thing every week, Ramiele ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 22
Results Show
March 19, 2008 - 09:03p.m.
The top ten singers were chosen tonight, determining which of the singers would go on tour this summer. Kristy Lee Cook is now the luckiest person on this season of American Idol: for several weeks in a row she escaped ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 21
The Top 11 Perform
March 18, 2008 - 10:03p.m.
Due to popular demand, the Beatles theme was extended another week, a first for Idol. Simon, however, didn't think it was such a great idea, and as usual he was right. Other than David Archuleta's semi-redemptive performance, everyone ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 20
Results Show
March 12, 2008 - 09:03p.m.
Idol apparently got such a huge response to the Lennon/McCartney songbook night that they're making it next week's theme too, but if I could revoke their right to do so, I would, based on tonight's results ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 19
The Top 12 Perform
March 11, 2008 - 09:03p.m.
So Idol decided to spice things up for the top twelve with a new introduction (which looks kind of like the old one) and a new stage (which looks a little like the not-too-distant future.) Of course what really made ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 18
"Results Show"
March 6, 2008 - 07:03p.m.
The Divine Miss Z is off tonight, so I'll be dusting off my Idol hat to help guide you through the big reveal of your The Top 12. I'm also going to take a crack at ranking them ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 18
The Top 8 Girls Perform
March 5, 2008 - 09:03p.m.
I liked Ryan's loosened tie tonight--it looks like he knocked off early from the office to run down and host this Idol show. But was it worth missing out on happy hour at Bennigan's with the rest of ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 17
The Top 8 Boys Perform
March 4, 2008 - 09:03p.m.
Last week, some of you suggested that I give a go at evaluating each of the performances and grading them individually. I'm up for that idea, although I don't think I know each of the singers quite well ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 16
Results Show
February 28, 2008 - 08:02p.m.
America clearly does not want to be pigeonholed this season and it will vote for whomever it damn well pleases on American Idol, thank you very much. Jason Yaeger was the only contestant on the show who got sent home ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 15
The Top 10 Girls Perform
February 27, 2008 - 09:02p.m.
It's not looking great for the girls on Idol when for the second week in a row, the band outshone them. We heard plenty of hot guitar riffs and plenty of questionable song choices. Syesha, Ramiele, Alaina, Alexandrea and ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 14
The Top 10 Boys Perform
February 26, 2008 - 09:02p.m.
Paula Abdul told David Archuleta that she wanted to smush him and squeeze him and dangle him from her rearview mirror and for once I totally got what she said and was right with her. The kid is hands-down the ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 13
First All New Live Results Show
February 21, 2008 - 08:02p.m.
I hate a long drawn-out results show, although we're in the snappiest era of elimination episodes. Four contestants kicked off in one hour will seem like a mere moment in time compared to when we have the long hour ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 12
The Top 12 Girls Perform
February 20, 2008 - 09:02p.m.
As is always the case in Hollywood, the girls were much better looking but much less interesting than the guys. Based on tonight's Idol, Alaina, Alexsandrea, Asia'h, Ramiela, Syesha and Carly were the best singers, but only Alaina ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 11
The Top 12 Boys Perform
February 19, 2008 - 09:02p.m.
Finally, Americans get to let their voices be heard on Idol this week. If I could afford it I would vote David Cook, Garrett Healy, Jason Castro and Jason Yeager off, and possibly also Colton Berry, Danny Noriega and even ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 10
Top 24
February 13, 2008 - 09:02p.m.
Tonight's episode wasn't a great one if you're a lover of suspense, as the approximate formula for who made the top 24 versus who didn't seemed to be "who's had camera time already" vs "who ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 9
Hollywood Round 1
February 12, 2008 - 10:02p.m.
While I think it's a good idea for American Idol to switch up its format in an attempt to stem the ongoing "Has it jumped the shark?" talk, I was devastated to find that Hollywood week now lacks what ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 8
Best of the Rest
February 6, 2008 - 08:02p.m.
My excitement for Hollywood week is tempered by my irritation with one of the most half-assed leftover shows I've ever seen. Mysteriously labeled as the "last stop" on the audition tour, the American Idol producers simply offered up an ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 7
Atlanta Audition
February 5, 2008 - 08:02p.m.
So Paula is the worst judge, is that the takeaway message from tonight's episode? Funny how when Idol debuted, she was the nice one, the one with name recognition. She developed into the softie, maybe the weird clapper. Now ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 6
Miami Audition
January 30, 2008 - 08:01p.m.
I had high hopes for tonight's episode for two reasons. One: Miami was likely to be entertaining, with plenty of hot chicks, bitchy queens and over-the-top divas. Two: I was under the impression that this was the last week ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 5
Omaha Audition
January 29, 2008 - 08:01p.m.
The freak show is wearing thin. It's like when you're at a parade: all morning you've been waiting for it to start and that first marching band rolls by and you say "Yay! I love a parade ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 4
Charleston Audition
January 23, 2008 - 08:01p.m.
It would be a bit of a reach to call anything about this season of American Idol "refreshing", but at least in tonight's episode the script got flipped–a little bit. Some of the would-be shoo-ins got nixed, like ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 3
San Diego Audition
January 22, 2008 - 08:01p.m.
At the beginning of tonight's episode, as Ryan Seacrest asked the old men who introduced the show to give it a second, more exciting shot, I made a note that perhaps it was an auger that tonight's installment ... -
American Idol: season 7, episode 2
Dallas Audition
January 16, 2008 - 09:01p.m.
Tonight's episode restored some hope for this season of American Idol, aided both with better contestants and structure: every once in awhile the writers and editors can get kind of cute on this show and it turns out fairly ... -
American Idol: season 7 , episode 1
Season Premiere
January 15, 2008 - 10:01p.m.
The start of a the new American Idol season is sort of like the start of baseball season. I feel a sense of optimism and excitement, partially because it's just something new to watch, partially because I can be ...
