Kara DioGuardi News

Here is the audition of Todrick Hall, who was seen on Broadway opposite Fantasia Barrino in The Color Purple. Hall has also appeared in 'High School Musical 2' and in a 'Beauty and the Beast' production at Disney World. He has also appeared on Disney cruise ships as well as writing, choreographing and directing his own original production called 'Oz, the Musical.'

For the first time in the history of AMERICAN IDOL, the first 7 contenders of the top 24 have been announced, reports TVGuide.com.

Tonight episode of 'American Idol' brought the always-entertaining group auditions. The remaining contestants form groups of three to five people, choose from a select list of songs, and choreograph the number to perform in front of the judges. Group auditions always provide for an excellent episode, as it is the only time in the show when contestants are forced to depend on others in their performance.

The first round of Hollywood auditions on 'American Idol' brought the welcome addition of Ellen DeGeneres to the judging panel. Ellen replaced Paula Abdul, after Paula was not hired back for 'Idol's' ninth season. Ellen was a refreshing change to panel, being brutally honest to the contestants, as well as providing several amusing comments about the performances.

The excitement has been building, and the moment America has been waiting for is almost here! Ellen DeGeneres joins judges Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Randy Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest to help winnow down the AMERICAN IDOL contestants during the Hollywood Round beginning Tuesday, Feb. 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

The excitement has been building, and the moment American Idol fans have been waiting for is almost here! Ellen Degeneres joins judges Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Randy Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest to help winnow down the American Idol contestants during the Hollywood Round beginning Tuesday, Feb. 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. BroadwayWorld brings you the first footage teaser of Ellen's Idol debut from Fox.

'American Idol' made its way back to the location of its season one winner, visiting the city of Dallas and home of pop superstar Kelly Clarkson. The guest judges joining 'Idol' in the state of Texas were teen heartthrob Joe Jonas and television and Broadway star and Tony Award host Neil Patrick Harris. Dallas brought some excellent singers into the mix and some will definitely make a splash in Hollywood.

The fifth stop on the audition tour of 'American Idol' landed in 'Idol's' own backyard, Los Angeles. Joining Simon, Randy, and Kara were two young pop stars themselves, Avril Lavigne on the first day and Katy Perry on the second day. Lavigne was rarely seen on screen and did not seem to add much to the judging panel; Perry, however, was one of the few guest judges to truly understand the competition. Instead of joining Kara as the 'feel-good-judge' and sending people to Hollywood if they came in with a good story, Perry only voted 'Yes' to singers who she felt would actually have the chance to win the competition. A welcome change to the judging panel, Katy was more reminiscent of Simon and made her decision based purely on talent.

Day 4 of 'American Idol' kicked off in Orlando tonight with guest judge and Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth. Many remember Chenoweth's show-stealing, Tony-winning performance in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and her triumphant star turn when she originated the role of Glinda (or Galinda) in Wicked, which earned her a Tony Award nomination. Chenoweth most recently starred in the ABC series Pushing Daisies, for which she just won the Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She'll next be seen back on Broadway in the revival of Promises, Promises. Although Chenoweth was only available for half the episode (one day in Orlando), her presence was welcome to 'Idol' and Broadway fans alike.

American Idol has returned for its much-anticipated ninth season - Simon Cowell's last. So far, the show has held auditions in Boston, Atlanta, and Chicago.

Last night's two-hour season premiere of the ninth season of American Idol still garnered masterful ratings, despite recent shakeups and changes. With Paula Abdul's departure and Simon Cowell's very recent announcement that he, too, is leaving the show, American Idol still was the most watched show of the night with 29.9 million viewers.

American Idol has returned for its much-anticipated ninth season - Simon Cowell's last. So far, the show has held auditions in Boston, Atlanta, and Chicago.

Another season of the hit reality TV show 'American Idol' kicked off its ninth season last night, bringing the familiar faces of Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, and Kara DioGuardio as America's favorite judging panel back to the silver screen. The show that has brought talent such as Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken takes talent from across the country and lets America choose who will be the next 'Idol.' Now in its ninth season, 'American Idol' has been one of the biggest reality TV show hits of the decade and has taken the country by storm.

Following the announcement yesterday that American Idol mastermind Simon Cowell would be leaving the show after nine seasons to bring The X Factor to Fox in early 2011, Tony-nominee and former Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis appeared on CBS' The Early show to weigh in on Idol's loss. See what the Rock of Ages star has to say about Simon's parting below!

American Idol is set to return for its much-anticipated ninth season with a two-night premiere featuring talent and outrageous new auditions from Boston Tuesday, Jan. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Atlanta Wednesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-9:15 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America. The series features host Ryan Seacrest and judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres.

Adam Lambert's debut album doesn't hit stores for almost a month, but the 'American Idol' runner-up's entire track list has been revealed on the Barnes & Noble website. The debut recording is titled 'For Your Entertainment' and will released on November 23rd.