• 'American Idol' Season 14 Recap & Review: 5 More Impressive Auditions from Nashville and Kansas City

    After American Idol's Season 14 opener, judges Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban both shared some words with the press about the talent they've seen so far. The New Orleans jazz artist promised viewers that the judges have seen plenty of contestants capable of attaining superstar status. Urban stressed the importance of finding someone with great singing abilities, studio presence and live skills.

  • Harry Connick Jr. Talks 'American Idol' Season 14 Talent, Randy Jackson's Departure from Show

    The 14th season of "American Idol" kicked off last night, Jan. 7, with the judges searching for singing talent in Keith Urban's favorite town: Nashville. The show will also roll through the Bronx in honor of Jennifer Lopez as well as Harry Connick Jr.'s New Orleans. The latter spoke to "The Hollywood Reporter" recently about the new season's talent and the departure of the show's last original judge, Randy Jackson."We are trying to find someone who can sell records and become a big superstar," Connick said. "Given the talent we've seen, that isn't going to be an issue. We are going to be OK."Last night's highlights included Riley Bria on an Urban tune, Cameron Bedell sharing some soul on a Ray LaMontangne track and Michael Simeon taking on Sam Smith's hit "Stay With Me." But Connick assured fans there were plenty of other yes votes from the Nashville session, which continues tonight on Fox."We had a ridiculous amount of talent through the door," he said. "At one point, there were 10 unanimous yeses. That has never happened before. It was really encouraging."Connick also talked about the departure of OG judge Jackson, who moved into a mentor role last season and announced his departure from the show in November. Connick now sits in Jackson's old seat.

  • 'American Idol' Season 14 Recap & Review: 5 Best Auditions from the Show's Nashville Premiere

    American Idol looks much different from what I remember. Full disclosure, I ditched the show after its midway point in Season Seven when David Cook earned the title. The judges - Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban - are prettier than the original three, way less failed auditions air, and Coca Cola bailed on the competition. What remains (and this is what keeps the series on the air) is the allure that in a matter of months a nobody can become a household name and be propelled into the limelight. Oh yeah, and Ryan Seacrest is still here too.

  • Music Criticism Is Tongue-Tied, Says Daily Beast's Ted Gioia

    A very interesting piece comes to us from Ted Gioia at The Daily Beast about music criticism, or rather its death, or rather its inability or unwillingness to use technical language or display, you know, any kind of actual knowledge. It's especially interesting because it seems to take the viewpoint of ...

  • 'American Idol' Season 13 Recap: 'This Is Me' Live Show Features Majesty Rose Rising, Malaya Watson Falling Flat

    American Idol has gone live. On Wednesday night (Feb. 26), the musical reality show mainstay moved on from auditions and Hollywood Week to the real meat: the live competition. In a season with semi-elusive contestants, Idol produces chose this week's theme as "This Is Me," a song that the singers felt described them both as a person and a future recording artist. Let's check out who truly shined and who were a little bleh below.

  • American Idol Season 13 Recap: Top 13 Includes Show's Strongest Singers In Years... and Kristen O'Connor

    Welp, American Idol's Top 13 is here. After thousands of singers tried out over weeks of auditions and cuts, the supposed best of the best has been announced and will move on to next week's first official proper live show. Thursday night (Feb. 20), Idol host Ryan Seacrest announced the American picked top 10 in the show's first 10 minutes. For the most part, both the top performing girls and the best boys made it through by America's vote.
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