'American Idol' to run in syndication

Tribune Entertainment has snatched up the syndication rights to Fox TV's hit talent competition, "American Idol," it was announced Friday.
"Idol" reruns will begin airing weekends nationwide in September, Daily Variety reported.
Tribune Entertainment is expected to offer the show free of charge in exchange for seven minutes of advertising during each hourlong episode, Variety said. The package will be offered to broadcasters during the National Association of TV Program Executives convention later this month in Las Vegas.
Cable's Fox Reality Channel is kicking off a rerun marathon of all 43 episodes of "Idol's" fourth season Saturday as a lead-in to the Jan. 17 premiere of Season 5 on Fox.
"American Idol" was the highest-rated of all network primetime series in total viewers and in adults 18 to 49 for each of the last two seasons.

American Idol Season 5

Fox has started running promos for the two hour premiere of American Idol 5, and the early commercials suggest that viewers can expect to see the same mixture of good and bad singers as in the past. If early statements from American Idol Host Ryan Seacrest and American Idol Judge Randy Jackson prove to be true, then one big change is that American Idol 5 might earn the nickname Evil Idol 5. First, Ryan Seacrest said that American Idol 5 would offer more “individual and independent competitive spirit than ever before." Then, Randy Jackson took it a little further and said there would be “interesting fighting and dialogue going on amongst the contestants.”

Who will win Idol this season?

Who will win Idol this coming year? I would love to see your comments on this.

Troops Get American Idol Treats

"American Idol 3" finalist Diana DeGarmo and other entertainers treated hundreds of U.S. servicemen and women to a New Year's Eve show.
Soldiers sat in the cold in front of a tan stage as DeGarmo pulled several on stage to dance. She was followed by comedian Reggie McFadden and country music singer Michael Peterson, who traveled with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on a six-nation holiday tour to thank the troops.

American Idol judge Jackson waits for ball to drop

So how is American Idol judge Randy Jackson planning to celebrate New Year's Eve?
"I'm just trying to get ready for that New Year's Eve ball drop with Ryan Seacrest," Jackson joked.
Seacrest, who is host of the Fox reality show, will co-host ABC's special for the traditional ball drop and countdown to midnight in New York's Times Square.
Seacrest will join Dick Clark, who is returning to New Year's Rockin' Eve after suffering a stroke last December.
New Year's Rockin' Eve will air Saturday starting at 9 p.m.

Simon Cowell Does not have New Year's Resolutions

Simon Cowell refuses to bother with New Year’s resolutions because, he says, he’s too old to change. ContactMusic.com reports that the caustic “American Idol” critic believes that at his age, 46, it’s too late to make any major changes to his lifestyle or habits. And aside from that, Cowell quipped, “there’s nothing I need to change about myself.” Obviously, he doesn’t have to work on his self-esteem in the new year!

American Idol Stars Dominate Charts

American Idol stars Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice and Kelly Clarkson dominated music charts with three of the top ten spots on Billboard's Top 200 album chart the week before Christmas, which analysts deem one of the best selling weeks of the year for the music industry.
In addition, American Idol artists, Clarkson and Will Young, also took two of the top fifteen spots in the weekly sales chart in the United Kingdom.
"Some Hearts," the debut album by American Idol 4 winner Carrie Underwood, climbed from Number 5 to Number 2 on the chart with more than 271,000 units sold for the week.
"Some Hearts" was certified platinum, with over one million albums sold within just five weeks of its November release.
American Idol 4 finalist Bo Bice's debut album, "The Real Thing," emerged on the chart this week at Number 4, with more than 226,000 albums sold. Plus, Bice's hit single, "Inside Your Heaven/Vehicle," was number three on the Billboard Singles Chart.
Kelly Clarkson's most recent album, "Breakaway," continues its stance on the chart, with more than 180,000 units sold for the week.
"Breakaway" has remained in the Top 20 since its release on November 30, 2004, for a total of 55 consecutive weeks and has sold over 4 million units in the U.S. and well over 7 million copies worldwide.
In addition to these achievements, American Idol 3 winner Fantasia is steadily approaching the double platinum mark with her first album, "Free Yourself".

Clay Aiken Performs with Friends

Michael Hammond and Paula Markowicz have been best friends since the age of five, and their 34 year friendship has led them to share many experiences
They first performed together in the musical "Gypsy" at Holbrook Junior/Senior High School, and after graduating in 1984, they continued performing.
"Our favorite show that we played opposite each other in was 'Ragtime' at the Company Theatre. We love to perform, but it is extra special when we get to perform together," Michael said.
The biggest opportunity came when they were both asked to perform on Dec. 6 at the Orpheum Theatre with Clay Aiken from the hit "American Idol" TV show.
"We watched 'American Idol' on television, and then I was on stage with one," Michael said

American Idol News

As we approach a new year (and a new season of American Idol), this Idol Chasers update will inform you on what the Idols are up to during the next week.
Appearances:
Planning to watch the Orange Bowl next week (Penn State vs. Florida State)? Ruben Studdard, winner of Season 2, will be performing the National Anthem before the game (January 3).If you're going to be in Utah for New Year's, Carmen Rasmusen will be performing at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City with Ryan Shupe on December 31.
Rumor Mill:
Unconfirmed Rumor - Carrie Underwood now has enough success under her belt to go on tour soon, and rumor has it that she may be opening for Kenny Chesney. This past year, Fantasia has been touring with Kanye West and Josh Gracin will soon be going on tour with Trace Adkins and Craig Morgan. Touring with huge artists has been becoming a great publicity-getter for up-and-coming Idols!
Confirmed Rumor - Yes, it's true. Carrie confirmed that she is currently in a relationship with a mystery man, but she has not disclosed information about him - yet.
Confirmed Rumor - Julia DeMato, the new mother from Season 2 who was recently busted for drug posession has pleaded not guilty to the charges. She is due back in court January 12.
Chart-toppers:
The big news these days has been about three of the perhaps most notable Idols, Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, and Kelly Clarkson. All three of them have been dominating the charts, but Carrie came out on top, as usual. The Season 4 winner's platinum debut album, "Some Hearts", made No. 5 (No. 2 last week) on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart, while Bo's "The Real Thing", released on December 13th, dropped to No. 16 (after breaking in at No. 4 last week). A truly impressive feat, however, came when Kelly Clarkson's second album, "Breakaway", still managed to grab No. 10 (from No. 8 last week) after 56 consecutive weeks in the Top 20.Kimberley Locke has also been warming Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart with her holiday single, "Up On the Housetop", which has been No. 1 for four weeks straight.Idols in the News:More good news for Carrie Underwood - she was recently named Oklahoman of the Year by Oklahoma Today Magazine. The small hometown girl is finally being honored for representing her state by becoming the year's great role model that she is.In other good news, Bo Bice has recovered after being hospitalized on December 18 due to complications from surgery he had late August. His album, having been out for two weeks, has already sold over 226,000 units.The Idols who have and haven't been in the news lately, the Idols who have been hard at work in the studio, and even the Idols who have been performing non-stop these days are hopefully having a nice, quiet holiday at home with their families - and here's hoping you are too.

FOX REALITY Debuts Exclusive 'American Idol' Original Programming

FOX REALITY will bring "American Idol" fans exclusive interviews when the only ALL REALITY, ALL THE TIME channel premieres FOX's "American Idol" (Season 4) with RealityRevealed beginning Saturday, January 7. "American Idol" Season 4 with RealityRevealed episodes will be telecast every evening beginning at 5:00pm ET/ PT and culminating Tuesday, January 17, when "American Idol's" Season 5 premieres on FOX at 8pm ET/PT.
Also on Tuesday, January 17, FOX REALITY will air an "American Idol" (season 4) marathon beginning at 11:00am ET / 8:00am PT with RealityRevealed followed by a special "American Idol" season 5 "Reality Remix" show hosted by Kennedy, formerly an MTV veejay.
"American Idol" (Season 4) with RealityRevealed gives fans the complete experience with never-before-seen interviews, giving viewers the opportunity to get up close and personal and relive the "Idol" experience through the eyes of the stars themselves. With exclusive interviews with the contestants, including the top four finalists, the judges and producers, the whole "Idol" story unfolds giving fans more of what they want to know.
"American Idol" Season 4 RealityRevealed original programming is produced by Fox Reality. Fourteen-time Emmy-nominated "American Idol" is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

American Idol Constantine in Parade

"It's Constantine! Constantine's downstairs!" a secretary yelled as she ran through Gail Hering's office in downtown Orlando on Friday morning.Hering, 37, and her friend Tammy Bell, 33, fled the office and rushed to the elevator.Work would wait.Rounding the corner from Anderson Street was the grand marshal of the 25th annual Orlando Citrus Parade, Constantine Maroulis, crooning "She Talks to Angels" by The Black Crowes.Bell, armed with a hastily borrowed camera, clicked away and prayed that the camera worked as Maroulis' float from Cingular Wireless eased down the street."Did you get the picture?" Hering asked as Bell fiddled with the buttons."I don't know. Wait. I got it," said Bell, beaming like a love-struck teenager. "We love Constantine."The performer from American Idol was easily the biggest draw at the two-hour parade that had a crowd of 80,000 people watching.Ten-year-old Morgan Frazier of Winter Garden brought a Constantine CD and a black Sharpie, hoping to get his autograph.But no luck. He didn't even face the right way for Morgan to hear him sing.