American Idol Has Officially Been Canceled

After 13 years on the air, American Idol has officially been canceled! According to Us Weekly, FOX made the announcement on Monday, May 11,

"American Idol will begin its 15th -- and final -- season this January on FOX," the network wrote in a release. "A season-long celebratory event, American Idol XV will feature host Ryan Seacrest and judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., as they search for the final Idol superstar and pay tribute to the past 14 seasons of amazingly talented contestants and the millions of fans who tweeted, texted and championed their Idols."

REPORT: American Idol Tried to Replace Mariah Carey with Jennifer Lopez

The Hollywood Reporter has come out to say that Jennifer Lopez may be coming back to American Idol—to replace Mariah Carey! Their sources say that Idol producers, along with Fox executives, began negotiations with J. Lo, who was a fan-favorite judge during seasons 10 and 11, to rejoin the show. However, when Mariah got wind of it, she threatened to sue! THR also went on to report that producers want to bring Jennifer back for the season finale next month regardless, and that no judge’s job on the panel (not even Randy’s) is safe!

Nicki Minaj GOES OFF on Mariah Carey During Idol Auditions!

TMZ got an exclusive clip of Nicki Minaj GOING OFF at the judges' table during a taping for American Idol! So clearly that "beef" between her and Mariah Carey is either real, or being used as a promotion tactic (I wouldn't put it behind FOX to try to compete with X Factor and The Voice).

Yet and still the video is crazy dramatic! Nicki gets REAL ratchet! I feel so sorry for Randy having to put up with this!

Check out the craziness after the jump!

American Idol Change Up

Hey yall...TGIF RIGHT?!!! I'm soooo glad it's the weekend! Need to relax myself. On to the post...

Ok, so we all know that Ellen DeGeneres is leaving Idol. She told Access Hollywood, "A couple months ago, I let FOX and the American Idol producers know that this didn't feel like the right fit for me. I told them I wouldn't leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next." Yeah, it's not the right fit for her. I love Ellen. She is probably one of the best TV show hosts out right now. But I think that there are better people to judge Idol than her.

And now, according to TMZ, Kara DioGuardi is leaving too. Well, she didn't exactly leave. She was fired LOL but gone nonetheless. I stopped watching past the auditions even before she came on the scene, and I didn't even understand why she was put on the show until a couple of minutes ago LOL Apparently she's a popular songwriter and has written for Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and others. Oh well. Still gone.

I really think that American Idol needs to hang up the hat anyway honestly. I mean, the only original judge now is Randy Jackson. Reportedly FOX is bringing on Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, who are definitely qualified, but I think that the show is past its prime. It's needs to just go out with a bang, and call it a day. And what's it without Simon anyway? He's about half the reason why I, and I'm sure a good part of America, watched the show. But we will see how the ratings go on this upcoming season.

PEACE.

Simon Cowell Set To Leave American Idol

Rumors have been circulating, but now it's been confirmed. This season of American Idol will be the last for sharp-tongued Simon Cowell. According to reports from the Associated Press by way of Yahoo, Simon is leaving to focus on his own show "The X Factor" coming to U.S. television. He wouldn't have been able to manage both shows. Shame. I'm telling you, Idol is going to lose ratings. I mean, the show would've probably been ok this season with losing Paula, but man...SIMON?!!! Seriously, I think that that man is the main reason people have stayed watching it this long. You just never know what he's going to say, and even if you disagree with him, you love laughing at his comments. Personally, I love him because he tells the truth! The truth that people's "friends" should have told them long before they tried out on Idol lol.

Well, I wish you well Simon. Hopefully, Idol doesn't fall because of your departure. But then again, maybe FOX should hang up the hat. Not necessarily because of Simon or Paula leaving, but just because there's been so many seasons of it already! And it's getting a tad bit blahhhh at least to me. After the auditions, I'm done watching for the seasons. Haven't watched a full season since Fantasia. And half the Idols aren't even doing anything now. Maybe it's time to let go FOX. It probably won't happen as long as money is still coming in, but it's just a suggestion.

PEACE.

~Brittany Shawnté

Paula Abdul Done With American Idol

You see that picture up there? That's all who should be judging American Idol as long as it keeps going. But...no more. It's been confirmed by Paula herself. After eight seasons, Paula Abdul's time on American Idol is finished.

"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to Idol," Paula Twittered. "I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day one become an international phenomenon."

"What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me," she added. "I do, without any doubt, have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all."

In a statement Tuesday, a Fox TV rep said: "Paula Abdul has been an important part of the American Idol family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best."

And then there were three--Simon Cowell, the judge who is the most honest and yet people hate him so, Randy Jackson, the cool judge that you just have to shake your head at sometimes for his judging, and Kara DioGuardi, the judge whose purpose I'm still confused about.

But I can tell you this: there may be a significant drop in viewers this season. I mean, personally, I sort of fell off from American Idol after Fantasia's season. I watch the auditions, but after that, I fall off, no matter how hard I try to watch the rest of the season. I don't know. I feel like the show needed to bow out gracefully while it was still on top, you know? But no. People can never do that for the sake of money, which is kind of understandable, but I would rather have been working on a show that went out gracefully after maybe 5 or 6 seasons (because I was really done after Jordin Sparks' season) than a show that just kept going on and on on.....It's too much to me.

But yeah, like I was saying before I went into this mini tirade LOL, there may be a significant drop in viewers this season. I mean, since the show is continuing on, the THREE ORIGINAL JUDGES SHOULD BE THERE!!!! EMPHASIS ON THREE AND EMPHASIS ON ORIGINAL!!!! Paula's gone, man. How in the world are you going to have American Idol WITHOUT PAULA ABDUL?! It just won't feel right. I mean, people are already saying that they won't be watching. I think FOX might have royally screwed up this time.

PEACE.

~Brittany Shawnté

American Idol Contestant Killed

Sad news...

Us Magazine reported that former American Idol contestant Alexis Cohen was killed in a hit-and-run this weekend in New Jersey, officials confirm.

Alexis, 25, was struck early Saturday morning in Seaside Heights. She was found around 4 a.m. by two passerby who called 911, Deputy Chief Michael Mohel of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office told the Morning Call newspaper of her hometown, Allentown, Penn.

She was pronounced dead at 6:35 a.m. at the Community Medical Center in Toms River, N.J. Autopsy results show she suffered chest, head and abdominal injuries, Mohel said. Mohel also stated that an investigation into the hit-and-run is ongoing.

Alexis' unsuccessful auditions on American Idol were some of the most memorable auditions of the show. Calling Simon egotistical and storming off saying you wanted to be an actor anyway?! LOL with that dramatic performance, maybe you should've been LOL

But in all seriousness, this tragedy is sad. This year is really showing just how short life is. Rest in peace Alexis..

PEACE.

~Brittany Shawnté

No More Idol for Paula?!

According to a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, Paula Abdul's manager has claimed that she may not return to American Idol for a ninth season. This news comes after it was stated that she would stay on. Apparently, Paula is not happy about not receiving a new proposal for her contract.

"She's not a happy camper as a result of what's going on. She's hurt. She's angry," David Sonenberg, the Idol judge's manager, told the newspaper. "Very sadly, it does not appear that she's going to be back on Idol," he said.

This is dishearting news. I mean, I haven't watched a full season of American Idol since Fantasia's season, but come on! What is that show without Paula?! She's the nice, encouraging one. The one who seems to manage to get Randy on her side most of the time, and the one that fights/flirts with Simon (yeah I always thought that maybe there was something there LOL). She's the reason why some of those people who auditioned made it through to Hollywood. Now, because FOX doesn't have their act together, she might not be returning. I had a feeling that she would be leaving soon, what with that new judge Kara something or other on now? No reason in the world to need four judges on that show! But maybe that's just it. Kara was probably there to replace Paula anyway, if not this season coming up then sometime in the seasons to follow. Hmmm....ok not a smart move but maybe that's just me. Anyway, I wish Paula the best.

Judge Simon Cowell is also in negotiations to renew his contract, while third judge Randy Jackson is attached to the show through 2011. Auditions for Season 9 begin on August 6, with the show set to return in January.

PEACE.

~Brittany Shawnté