Paula Abdul says she and her fellow American Idol judges were thrown a “curveball” Tuesday night when they were asked to quickly sum up first half of the show — after originally being told they’d critique the contestants at the end.

Calling into Idol host Ryan Seacrest’s KISS-FM show Wednesday morning, Abdul said her strange response to Jason Castro’s performance was an “honest mistake.” Abdul admits she’d written notes on both Castro and another performer on the same card, and in the end, was simply “confused” as she gave her feedback.

“In seven years we’ve never had to do that,” she told Seacrest of the format change, adding, “We were only following directions.”

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“American Idol” judges Simon, Randy and Paula believe they have what it takes to bring back Britney’s career.

In an announcement to FOX News, Simon Cowell says that, among other things, getting her “away from her stupid friends” will help revive her career.

“MTV ratings are up and all we’re hearing is Britney, Britney, Britney!” Simon said. “She can turn it around.” Could this bring Britney’s career back from its Las Vegas grave?

It is unclear whether they want Britney to be a guest star or a contestant.

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Blake Lewis may have lost the title of American Idol to Jordin Sparks  but he’s perfectly fine with his second place finish.

“I never looked at it as winning and losing. I just tried going out and performing really well each day,” the 25-year-old says. “In a sense, I’m kind of glad I didn’t win just for like contractual reasons. I think if you’re first you might have to come back for like three years or something.”

Not that Lewis, who spoke to reporters on a conference call Friday, wants to distance himself from the show. “American Idol is such an amazing show and experience,” he adds. “I honestly didn’t care one bit [about] winning or losing, because I call myself a winner just by getting into the top 10.”

Asked which previous American Idol has a career that he would like to emulate, “None of them,” says Lewis. “I want to set my own path.”

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The “American Idol” triumph of 17-year-old Jordin Sparks drew nearly 6 million fewer viewers than last year’s finale, in the latest sign that U.S. television’s highest-rated show may have finally hit its peak.

According to a final tally from Nielsen Media Research on Thursday, 30.7 million fans watched as the Arizona teenager was crowned the youngest champion at the end of the sixth installment of Fox network’s amateur singing contest.

The Wednesday night total is down 16 percent from the 36.4 million who tuned in to see gray-haired soul crooner Taylor Hicks claim victory at the conclusion of last year’s competition.

For the season as a whole, “American Idol” was down slightly in average overall audience compared with 2006, and off a bit more in ratings for viewers aged 18 to 49, the key young-adult crowd most prized by advertisers.

That marks the first year-to-year decline in the show’s Nielsen numbers since its 2002 inception, despite media hype and Internet buzz this year surrounding two contestants — the racy photos of Antonella Barba and the wacky-haired sensation stirred by Sanjaya Malakar.

Still, “American Idol” remains the most watched U.S. TV series overall, and the most highly rated in the 18-49 category for a fourth straight year, Fox said.

“This is far and away the biggest show on television and will continue to be the biggest show on television,” Fox network spokesman Scott Grogin said. “We’re looking forward to next season.”

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Seventeen-year-old diva Jordin Sparks won the crown for this years 2007  “American Idol“. She is also the youngest to every win American Idol!

In case you weren’t one of the “American Idol” fans who helped submit a record 74 million votes in Tuesday’s final show — one in which semifinalist Blake Lewis was praised for being entertaining, but not so much for the singing — 17-year-old judges’ darling Jordin Sparks took home the prize in one of the least suspenseful “Idol” finales in the show’s history.

Unlike past years when it felt like a game up until the final reveal, Wednesday night’s (May 23) two-hour-plus results show seemed more like an exercise in postponing the inevitable, packed with goofy fake awards, celebrity sing-alongs, medleys and — strangely — not that much face time for the actual finalists.

But when host Ryan Seacrest finally read the results, almost 10 minutes past the show’s allotted two-hour running time, both Blake and Jordin did their best to act surprised. Using her patented nervous/humbled look, the towering Jordin accepted a bearhug from Blake as she fumbled for words to express her joy. “I can’t thank you [enough] for keeping me around,” she said, her voice cracking. “Thank you so much for everything.”

My twin girls Sophia and Gabriella are still fuming that Sanjaya Malakar didn’t win but I think Jordin deserved it, she had the most talent of everyone. Blake was bee bopping fool who was highly entertaining but he just didnt seem to deserve to become an American Idol.  So congratulations to Jordan Sparks and I can’t wait for next years American Idol, but mainly for the auditions!

Paula Abdul broke her nose over the weekend after she fell while trying to avoid stepping on her Chihuahua, her publicist said Monday.

Abdul was recovering from the mishap and appeared on American Idol tonight and will appear in the finale Wednesday, publicist David Brokaw said.  “She’s a little sore, but is doing fine,” he said.

Word is that the accident happened after her dog tripped her because he was going for water in the toilet bowl she was throwing up in.

Source: Fox News

In a shock to nobody, Ryan Seacrest revealed that almost sixty million votes were cast and that Jordin Sparks had made it through to the American Idol finale.  In a real shocker, Seacrest revealed that it was the end of the road for Melinda Doolittle.  Blake Lewis joined Jordin Sparks in the final two.

Well so much for Simon Cowell’s “Girl” winning, he probably jinxed her. It looks like it will be Jordin becoming the next American idol, no way can Blake beat her.

Most people seem to think that Melinda Doolittle is the odds on favorite to win this years American Idol, but according to the Las Vegas oddsmakers, Jordin Sparks is actually the favorite to become the next American Idol.

Jordin Sparks    -   Odds to win: 2-3 (Means you have to bet $300 to win $200)

Melinda Doolittle - Odds to win: 9-5 (Which is almost 2-1, if you bet $100 you would win $180)

Blake Lewis -       Odds to win 5-2 (Which is 2.5 to 1, if you bet $100 you would win $250)

I think they are all pretty weak compared to former Idols but think Jordin is a lock to win and rightfully so, yet I wouldnt mind seeing underdog Blake win it all.

Immediately spotlighted as one of this season’s early favorites, big-voiced LaKisha Jones, a single mother with a dream, rolled with the punches week after week as the competition grew more grueling and the genres moved further away from her diva-like R&B style. Last night, America voted and Jones just didn’t have enough to top beat-boxer Blake Lewis’s performance.  The next morning, a very hoarse Jones spoke with reporters about the pressures of being an early favorite and what she thinks led to her elimination. Plus, she shares her thoughts on the final three and reveals what it was like to kiss Simon Cowell.

Is Simon a good kisser?
He is a good kisser and I would do it again.

How were his lips?
His lips were really soft and thin.

What did Simon say to you after the last show?
He told me that he was really proud of me and that he knows that I’m going to have a successful career.

What was your favorite comment from Simon and what go you steamed?
My favorite comment from him would have to be, “She’s in a league all of her own.” [Least favorite was], “You’re shouting.”

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