Seacrest, Idol Alums Sorry to See Abdul Go

And its long run could continue for quite a while: USA Today

(NEWSER) - American Idol has dominated the Nielsen ratings for 10 seasons, and its 11th season starts up tonight. Bill Keveney of USA Today rounds up some reasons why this pop culture institution might just go on forever: More»

Oh, and so are Randy and Steven Tyler

(AP) - Though we haven't heard the words from J.Lo herself, an executive producer of American Idol says celebrity judge Jennifer Lopez will return for another season. Nigel Lythgoe made the announcement on the On-Air with Ryan Seacrest program yesterday morning. He acknowledged it wasn't official, but he added he was "delighted to say that all three judges" and the show's "brilliant host" (aka Ryan Seacrest) are back for the next season, its 11th. (Click to read the latest on J-Lo's split with Marc Anthony , or one writer's take on why she's Idol's best judge to date .) More»

Salon offers up a mid-year list

(NEWSER) - Now that we're more than halfway through 2011, the Salon staff compiled the best books, movies, music, and TV of the year so far. Among its recommendations:

• Film: Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life is quite good—but Lee Chang-dong's Poetry, about a 66-year-old woman who may have Alzheimer's, is a masterpiece. Another surprising inclusion: Matthew McConaughey-vehicle The Lincoln Lawyer, directed by Brad Furman.
• Books: You'd never know The Pale King, David Foster Wallace's third and last novel, was actually unfinished at the time of his death and pieced together by his longtime editor. Also worth checking out: novelist Andre Dubus III's memoir, Townie.

And it's not the only TV finale drawing eyeballs this week

(NEWSER) - It's starting to look like Americans haven't moved from the couch all week. Early numbers show yesterday's finale of The Oprah Winfrey Show drew the most viewers it has had in 17 years. The final episode—which featured no guests , but rather a personal conversation between Oprah, her studio audience ... and millions watching at home—garnered a 13.3 household rating in the nation's metered markets, according to Nielsen. The last time an Oprah episode had a number that high was back in February 1994—"People Shed Their Disguises" featured Oprah confronting guests about their questionable outward appearances. More»

Idol Judges Will Reunite for His New Talent Reality Show

(NEWSER) - It will be just like old times: Paula Abdul will join Simon Cowell as a judge on his new talent show, the X Factor, reports AP . The move had been rumored , but a source says Abdul will indeed be at the judges' table when the first taping takes place Sunday in Los Angeles. The show, based on a British version, will debut on Fox in the fall. Singers will vie for a $5 million record contract. Click to read about how one of the new American Idol judges is the show's best ever . More»