• Fans embraced the new team at Austin's Frank Erwin Center.
    Photo by Tara Seetharam
  • From left, Simon Cowel, Britney Spears, Demi Lovator and L.A. Reid
    Photo by Tara Seetharam
  • The set sparkled more than the judges did.
    Photo by Tara Seetharam
  • The X-Factor returns in September

Where's the magic?

Revamped X Factor judging panel is lackluster & Britney Spears is bland inAustin debut

  • Phillip Phillips is the likely winner.
    FOX
  • Jessica Sanchez's talent outsizes almost any contestant we’ve seen on this showin 11 seasons
    Photo by Michael Becker/Fox
  • Joshua Ledet’s “To Love Somebody" was a season highlight.
    FOX

Idol Insider

Five lessons from American Idol Season 11: Talent-rich competition promisesanother male winner

  • Jessica Sanchez
    Photo by Michael Becker/Fox
  • Clockwise from left: Skylar Laine, Phillip Phillips, Colton Dixon, DeAndreBrackensick, Elise Testone, Jessica Sanchez, Hollie Cavanagh and Joshua Ledet
    Photo by Frank Micelotta/Fox
  • Elise Testone
    Fox
  • Phillip Phillips
    Photo by Michael Becker/Fox

Idol Insider

The best American Idol ever? This Top Eight rocks, now Jessica Sanchez justneeds to get her due

  • Baylie Brown is back on "American Idol," trying her luck five seasons later.
  • On a night when Houston didn't exactly wow, Lakewood Church worship leaderRamiro Garcia brought a needed bright spot.
  • Who would have guessed that Jennifer Lopez would become the voice of reason on"American Idol."
    Photo by Matt Sayles/AP

Idol Insider

Space City doesn't exactly rock: Many of Houston's American Idol auditions areout of this world bad

  • You knew it had to happen sooner or later? Planking on "American Idol" . . .
  • The team is back together and ready to "American Idol" judge.
    Photo by Michael Becker/Fox
  • It's time to give Ryan Seacrest the mad respect he deserves.

Idol Insider

Planking to the best American Idol audition ever? Monster show drops bad actsfor actual talent

  • Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery face off in a country "American Idol" finale.
  • Haley Reinhart, center, learns she’s going home on “Idol.”
    Photo by Michael Becker/Fox

Idol Insider

Why you need to give this country strong American Idol finale a chance: NoHaley, no problem

  • Scotty McCreery,right, is the latest American Idol. He beat out Lauren Alaina,left.
  • Beyonce added star power to the show.......
  • ....along with Lady Gaga

Idol Worship

Best American Idol season ender ever? Beyoncé, Lady Gaga & Scott McCreery makeit special

  • Pia Toscano's elimination still hangs over "American Idol."
  • Paul McDonald's performance of "Old Time Rock and Roll"
    Photo by Michael Becker/Fox
  • Is Steven Tyler sleeping or judging?
  • James Durbin singing "Heavy Metal"

Idol Insider

Steven Tyler sleeps on the job & American Idol suffers: Trying to get over thePia Toscano disaster

  • James Durbin in an emotional curtain call performance
  • Jennifer Lopez sobs as she hears James Durbin has missed out on the final three.
  • James Durbin and Scotty McCreery, waiting to hear the final three
  • Lauren Alaina makes the top three.
  • Haley Reinhart, finalist

Idol Insider

James Durbin gets what he deserved, while Haley Reinhart's judges fight coulddecide Idol

  • Haley Reinhart's "Benny and the Jets" was her best vocal all season.
  • Jacob Lusk's rendition of "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" was too dark anddramatic.
    Photo by Michael Becker/Fox
  • Casey Abrams' rendition of "Your Song" was not his best, but good reminder ofwhy he deserved to stick around.
    Photo by Michael Becker/Fox

Idol Chatter

Elton John theme is hard for most American Idol contestants to handle

  • Casey Abrams, saved by the judges
    Photo by Michael Becker/Fox
  • James Durbin
    Photo by Michael Becker/Fox
  • Jacob Lusk
    Photo by Ray Mickshaw/Fox

Idol Chatter

Epic Idol Save: Casey Abrams Lives to Sing Another Week

  • Front row: Casey Abrams, Paul McDonald, James Durbin and Stefano Langone. Backrow: Lauren Alaina, Thia Megia, Haley Reinhart, Jacob Lusk, Karen Rodriguez,Scotty McCreery, Naima Adedapo, Pia Toscano and Ashthon Jones. Meet the AmericanIdol Top 13.
  • Let's be careful about calling someone the next Carrie Underwood.

Idol Insider

Is Lauren really Carrie Underwood worthy? The contenders, pretenders & divas ofAmerican Idol's Top 13

  • Robbie Rosen brings a combination of confidence and musical talent.
  • Jennifer Lopez went Idol soft, but her tears aren't the real story.
  • Lauren Alaina has ridiculous raw talent — and an equally ridiculous fashionsense.

Inside Idol

Forget JLo's crying: Rosen & Alaina emerge as worthy favorites in Idol's longmarch to top 24

  • Let's get one thing straight. James Durbin is no Adam Lambert-sized talent.
  • There is only one Adam Lambert.
  • American Idol Hollywood week brings the season into focus.
  • Rob Bolin
  • Nick Fink

Inside Idol

Please don't call James Durbin the next Adam Lambert: Let's get Idol real, andno tantrums

  • Steven Tyler's musings are stealing the show on the remade American Idol.
  • The new judges seem committed to letting the competitors be the stars.
  • Devyn Rush — a former singing waitress — has emerged as an early favorite.

Inside Idol

Steven Tyler steals the day with his kooky ways: Move over JLo, Idol's new starhas emerged

  • Jennifer Lopez likened James Durbin's performance to a bad Glee audition.
  • Is James Durbin making as many enemies as friends already on American Idol?
  • And what did fellow Fox show Glee do to be dragged into this?
  • The American Idol Minors
  • The Minors' moms
  • Jacee Badeaux

Idol Insider

Jennifer Lopez takes a shot at Glee & Adam Lambert wannabe James Durbin: Idolgroup drama

  • Jennifer Lopez and the rest of American Idol's new judges sound committed tobringing the show back to its roots.
  • I'll still be suffering from Simon Cowell withdrawals.
  • But less instrumentals from the next Lee DeWyze has to be a good thing.

Idol Chatter

Snap judgments on American Idol 10: Up for JLo, down on diminished public power