Randy Jackson News

When 'Idol' gets down to the top six, each week is a shocker. With so few contestants left, it is nearly impossible to predict who will head home each week and, at this point in the competition, it really feels as though it's anyone's game. Tonight featured a slew of performances and was the first real reminder of how close we are to finding a winner of 'American Idol' season nine.

Tonight, 'Idol' saw the return of Shania Twain, who joined the audition process in Chicago, as the contestants sang from her vast catalog of songs. Twain is primarily a country artist, which resulted in a marked change for some of the contestants. The majority of the themes thus far have fit nicely into the pop genre and, while Twain's songs are definitely pop, the country influence allowed us to see the versatility of the performers as they tackled a new challenge.

Twelve former SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE show favorites are set to return to summer's No. 1 series as All-Star Dance Partners. Skilled in various dance styles from Krump to Contemporary, the Season Seven All-Star Dance Partners are: Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, Comfort Fedoke, Courtney Galiano, Anya Garnis, Lauren Gottlieb, Neil Haskell, Allison Holker, Mark Kanemura, Pasha Kovalev, Kathryn McCormick, Ade Obayomi and Dominic 'D-trix' Sandoval. Each week, finalists will be partnered with a different All-Star dancer.

Tonight, 'American Idol' presented a special episode, benefitting 'Idol Gives Back,' the historic Emmy Award-winning television event and music celebration, that has raised more than $140 million to benefit charities around the world and across the United States. Tonight, 'Idol' saluted a number of charities, including Feeding America, Save the Children, the United Nations Foundation, the Elton John Aids Foundation, and Idol Aid.

The iTunes Store, the No. 1 music retailer in the U.S., will donate net proceeds from sales of last night's Top 7 finalist performances to IDOL GIVES BACK. In addition, select guest performances from tonight's one-of-a-kind philanthropic event will also be featured on the iTunes Store (itunes.com). Check americanidol.com for regular updates on which performances will be available.

The top seven contestants of 'American Idol' kicked off the week with a set of inspirational songs led by the incomparable Alicia Keys. Keys was brought in due to her talent as well as her charity involvement, specifically working with families suffering from HIV and AIDS, as the show celebrates 'Idol Gives Back' this week. Some of the performances were perfect for the theme, while other lacked inspiration and felt as though they could have been performed any other week. As the competition heats up, the contestants will have to give standout performances weekly, and some of them failed to grow this week, while others had fantastic showings.

According to a recent tweet from pop star Christina Aguilera, the singer will appear on season finale of hit television show 'American Idol' on May 26th.

As part of his global effort to raise awareness for and to end HIV/AIDS, Sir Elton John will perform on IDOL GIVES BACK, airing Wednesday, April 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX, on behalf of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, The Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox, Jeff Beck & Joss Stone and Mary J. Blige & the All-Star Band will also perform.

While Ryan Seacrest hosts IDOL GIVES BACK from the AMERICAN IDOL stage in Los Angeles, Queen Latifah will join the celebration as emcee live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, an additional venue sponsored by ExxonMobil, Wednesday, April 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. This year, IDOL GIVES BACK will feature performances and appearances by some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, The Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox and Jeff Beck.

Emmy Award-winning IDOL GIVES BACK welcomes Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, The Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox and Jeff Beck as performers on this year's event, airing Wednesday, April 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. Additional artists scheduled to perform and appear to be announced.

This May FOX delivers major television events, all-new episodes and big guest stars, including 'FOX Rocks,' a week of music-themed FOX programming April 29 through May 5; primetime broadcasts of NASCAR ON FOX races May 1 and May 8; two not-to-be-missed one-hour installments of FAMILY GUY, including the milestone 150th episode May 2 and the latest 'Star Wars' saga-inspired season finale May 23; a BONES episode written by best-selling author and series inspiration, Kathy Reichs, May 6; the two-part season finale of FRINGE, featuring the long-awaited face-off between Walter Bishop (John Noble) and William Bell (guest star Leonard Nimoy), May 13 and May 20; the May 18 GLEE episode directed by Joss Whedon and guest-starring Neil Patrick Harris, Molly Shannon, Idina Menzel and Jonathan Groff; a special preview of Matt Nix's ('Burn Notice') new action comedy THE GOOD GUYS May 19; the AMERICAN IDOL-themed 21st season finale of THE SIMPSONS with guest voices Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres May 23; the climactic and historic series conclusion of the groundbreaking and award-winning 24, May 24; and the three-hour, two-night season finale of AMERICAN IDOL, featuring the final performance show May 25 and the final live results show that's sure to captivate America May 26.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's premier Asian American theatre, will recognize Pixar Films with the EWP Visionary Award on their feature animation film Up. Jordan Nagai, the voice of Russell from the animated film Up, will be recognized with the Breakout Performance Award at East West Players 44th Anniversary Visionary Awards and Silent Auction, which takes place at the Hilton Universal City on Monday, April 19, 2010.

According to a recent Tweet from pop star Lady Gaga, the singer will appear on the hit television show 'American Idol' on May 5th. The tweet read 'See you on American Idol. May 5th, Little Monsters.'

As part of Fox Broadcasting Company's annual 'Green It. Mean It.' campaign, an initiative designed to raise both viewer and employee awareness of environmental concerns, talent from FOX series will appear in network and affiliate on-air promos, as well as online at fox.com/earthday, to offer viewers 'Green Tips' on how to help and get involved with environmental issues. The tips will also be provided to more than 2,000 radio stations for their use during all day parts throughout April.

As part of his global effort to raise awareness for and to end HIV/AIDS, Sir Elton John will perform on IDOL GIVES BACK, airing Wednesday, April 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX, on behalf of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, The Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox, Jeff Beck & Joss Stone and Mary J. Blige & the All-Star Band will also perform.

"Idol" lost two of its contestants tonight, a consequence of Michael Lynche receiving the judges save last week. After receiving more than 34 million votes, two contestants were voted off, bringing the number down to seven. It was a tough night, as some of the audience favorites went home, but, the remaining contestants are a very solid group that is chock full of talent.

MTV today announced that it is partnering with the teen volunteer organization DoSomething.org to air the first-ever charitable episode of its hit reality dance competition series from Warner Horizon Television - 'Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew' - LIVE on Thursday, April 15th at 10 p.m. ET/(tape delay) PT.

While Ryan Seacrest hosts IDOL GIVES BACK from the AMERICAN IDOL stage in Los Angeles, Queen Latifah will join the celebration as emcee live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, an additional venue sponsored by ExxonMobil, Wednesday, April 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. This year, IDOL GIVES BACK will feature performances and appearances by some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, The Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox and Jeff Beck.

Tonight, 'Idol' saluted one of the greatest performers of all time, Elvis Presley. Tonight separated out the true performers, as Elvis is the epitome of stage presence. Thankfully, many of the performers were able to live up to his legacy and give great performances. Last season's runner up, Adam Lambert, was aptly chosen to coach this week and, out of all the coaches so far, seemed to have the most constructive criticisms for the contestants. He was almost always spot on with his suggestions and really helped up the ante for tonight's performances.

This week, former AMERICAN IDOL finalists from all around the country, including Amy Adams, Bo Bice, Didi Benami, Lacey Brown, Kevin Covais, Bucky Covington, Diana DeGarmo, Julia DeMato, Melinda Doolittle, Chikezie, Gina Glocksen, Danny Gokey, Mikalah Gordon, RJ Helton, David Hernandez, Mandisa, Michael Johns, LaKisha Jones, Megan Joy, Blake Lewis, Kimberley Locke, LaToya London, Melissa McGhee, Jorge Nunez, Amanda Overmyer, Brandon Rogers, Phil Stacey, Ruben Studdard, Elliott Yamin and Ace Young, will volunteer to help support Feeding America's local food banks and IDOL GIVES BACK, which airs Wednesday, April 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.