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“American Idol” is hiring. In a bloodletting nearly as swift as the mass dismissals of Hollywood Week, the show has lost as many as two judges: Ellen DeGeneres, who says she left of her own accord (“I’ve voted myself off ̵...

Has there ever been a better challenge in “Top Chef” history than the mise en place? A timed showdown that tests contestants’ skills, it’s known to separate those who have the technical knowledge of super-fast-and-precise peel...

In the years since he finished as runner-up on the second season of “American Idol,” Clay Aiken has carved out a niche as a singer of singerly songs — an artist more famous for how he sings than what he sings. His first post-”...

The votes have been cast. The decisions have been made. The goodbyes have been said. All that’s left is for our cast of castaway Idolites to pick up their checks, talk to reporters and start rehearsing for their summer tours. Except, of course,...

Much was made this year about Lee DeWyze’s humble beginnings as a paint salesman with a guitar and a dream. Now, he’s got a smile firmly shellacked on his face — he’s the ninth American Idol. Below, a recap of how he got there...

The final episode of “American Idol’s” ninth season isn’t just a big deal for finalists Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze and departing judge Simon Cowell, it’s also a chance for all those Idolites of yesteryear to gather ...

This episode of “American Idol” is an hour packed with lasts. It’s the last competitive performance for the contestants of season nine, and the last time Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze will face off before learning which of them is...

Where would pop culture be without Simon Cowell? Since he strode imperially into the American zeitgeist as the living embodiment of our worst English stereotype — they’re just so fussy, aren’t they? — he’s become the ab...

Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze have survived months of stress, rehearsals, competition, judgment, questions, poking and prodding. Next week, both of them will see their “American Idol” journey end — but only one of them will walk a...

The “American Idol” field has narrowed to just two: earth mama Crystal Bowersox and raspy rocker Lee DeWyze. How did their second-to-last week of competition go? For analysis, we turn to our team of judges: season seven top 10-er Chikezie...

Sometimes, what seems inevitable is, in fact, inevitable. Although it looked for a moment like Southern rocker Casey James might have the fan base he needed to eke out an upset, in the end he wasn’t able to stop a Crystal Bowersox / Lee DeWyze ...

The penultimate elimination of the “American Idol” season is nearly upon us, and I suddenly don’t quite know what to think. Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze haven’t spent an evening at the bottom of the voting block yet. Casey ...

Last week, I self-assuredly predicted that this week would be Casey James’ last as an “American Idol” contestant. But a little trick of the Internet has me wondering if I should hedge my bets a smidge. Here’s the story: I wrot...

IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO GAUGE how excited Casey James‘ hometown is about his success on “American Idol,” look no further than Milsap High School, where the Cool, Texas, native spent his formative years. His former theater teacher...