Paula Will Face Dancing Judges

(NEWSER) - Paula Abdul has bailed on American Idol, but if execs at ABC have their way she may be back to reality TV soon. "We would love to have her on Dancing With the Stars," the network's president tells People. “She’s a huge talent. There’s an empathy that balances out Idol, and we’d love to get a piece of that." Whether Abdul would be a fourth judge or dancer remains open. More»

List of 36 contestants revealed, some never seen in auditions

(NEWSER) - Warning to American Idol fans: If you don’t like spoilers, be careful what you search for. A list of the contestants who will perform on the new season has been leaked by fan sites, the New York Post reports. The list includes some surprise contestants whose auditions weren’t shown on TV. Among the lucky 36:

• Joanna Pacitti, once on a major label.
• Scott MacIntyre, 23, blind since birth, who attended Arizona State at age 14.

Songwriter Kara DioGuardi to join Cowell and company

(NEWSER) - American Idol is getting a fourth judge this season, marking what the New York Post calls the biggest change TV’s top show has ever undergone. Songwriter Kara DioGuardi will join Simon, Paula, and Randy, in a move producers say they always intended. All of Idol’s international counterparts feature four judges. “Having a fourth judge creates a dynamic that benefits both the contestants and viewers,” said the executive producer. More»

Singer sets off Twitter fracas after backing Ron Paul

(NEWSER) - Kelly Clarkson knows all about casting votes in public when it comes to singing, but politics is whole different kettle of fish: The former American Idol champ stirred up a hornet's nest with a tweet of support for fellow Texan Ron Paul, notes AFP . "I love Ron Paul. I liked him a lot during the last republican nomination and no one gave him a chance," she wrote. "If he wins the nomination for the Republican party in 2012 he's got my vote. Too bad he probably won't." More»

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»