American Idol winner Kris Allen during a photo shoot in West Hollwood. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert during the premiere of Michael Jackson's movie "This Is It." (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

The 2009  ”American Idol” champion Kris Allen released his self-titled debut album today (Nov. 17).  Many people might not have known he was even releasing an album. 

Although Allen was victorious on “American Idol” earlier this year, he didn’t receive a substantial amount of media attention after his win.  It wasn’t because he lacked talent.  It was because he lacked shock value.  Allen is plain, average and simple. 

Which explains why he has been overshadowed by Adam Lambert, the “American Idol” runner-up.  Lambert appears to be a magnet for the camera. 

As a result, numerous magazines were racing to put him on the cover and land interviews with him.  Meanwhile, Allen was an after thought.  Entertainment journalists ignored him and focused on Lambert because he was more shocking. 

Even pop star Lady Gaga came knocking on Lambert’s door wanting to collaborate with him on new music. 

I’ll admit, Allen didn’t have the strongest vocals on the show.  But the majority of “American Idol” voters chose Allen as their champion, and he deserves to receive some media attention since he was declared the winner.

Allen’s album is in stores now. Lambert’s album “For Your Entertainment” will be released Nov. 23.

Season 5 “American Idol” contestant Elliott Yamin will answer questions from his fans Monday (Oct. 26). 

Fans can submit their questions and hear Yamin’s answers on the “American Idol” Web site.  Yamin placed third on the talent show in 2006. 

He is currently promoting his second CD titled “Fight For Love.”  He recently finished his USO Tour where he performed for troops stationed around the world.

Click here to submit questions.

Jennifer Hudson attends a movie premiere in Beverly Hills (AP photo by Chris Pizzello)

Carrie Underwood accepting her award at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame (photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman)

–Season three contestant Jennifer Hudson’s Christmas concert special titled “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” will air on ABC in December.

–Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood will receive the Harmony Award on Dec. 12 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.  The award is given to individuals demonstrate a continued interest in Nashville music.

–Season 8 contestant Allison Iraheta’s debut album will be in stores Dec. 1.  The first single is “Friday I’ll Be Over U.”

–After a one-year hiatus the “Idol Gives Back” episode will return to American Idol. The episode will air April 21.

–Season 7 contestant Jason Castro’s album release has been delayed until early 2010.  The album was originally scheduled for Nov. 17

–Season 6 runner-up Blake Lewis released a new music video titled “Sad Song” from his CD “Heartbreak on Vinyl.  The music video is posted below.

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom attended the premiere of the film "Whiteout." (AP photo by Chris Pizzello)

Three celebrity couples walked down the aisle during the weekend.

Actress Jaime Pressly married entertainment lawyer Simran Singh in Malibu on Saturday; Seasone one “American Idol” contestant Justin Guarini married his high school friend Reina Capodici on Saturday; And Khloe Kardashian married Los Angeles Lakers player Lamar Odom on Sunday in Beverly Hills.

Congratulations to the happy couples.

Justin Guarinia and Kelly Clarkson competing on "American Idol" during the first season in 2002. (AP photo by Lucy Nicholson)

The original “American Idol” runner-up is getting married this weekend.  Justin Guarini will marry Reina Capodici on Saturday in Pennsylvania. 

According to US Weekly magazine, the pair began dating since 2006, but they’ve known each other since high school. 

Guarini was the early favorite to win the first season of “American Idol” 2002, but he was defeated by Kelly Clarkson for the title. 

He eventually rebounded and became a television personality on the TV Guide Channel.

Pop singer Kelly Clarkson is the latest celebrity to have harsh words toward Kanye West after the incident with Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Clarkson wrote a lengthy blog on her Web site criticizing Kanye, and she used profanities too.   The full blog is posted below.

Dear Kanye,

“What happened to you as a child?? Did you not get hugged enough?? Something must have happened to make you this way and I think we’re all just curious as to what would make a grown man go on national television and make a talented artist, let alone teenager, feel like sh*t. I mean, I’ve seen you do some pretty shi**y things, but you just keep amazing me with your tactless, a**hole ways.”

“It’s absolutely fascinating how much I don’t like you. I like everyone. I even like my a**hole ex that cheated on me over you…which is pretty odd since I don’t even personally know you.”

“The best part of this evening is that you weren’t even up for THIS award and yet you still have a problem with the outcome. Is winning a moon man that much of a life goal?? You can have mine if it will shut you up. Is it that important, really??”

“I was actually nominated in the same category that Taylor won and I was excited for her…so why can’t you be?? I’m not even mad at you for being an a**hole…I just pity you because you’re a sad human being.”

“On a side note, Beyonce has always been a class act and proved again tonight that she still is. Go TEXAS!!

Taylor Swift, you outsell him ….that’s why he’s bitter. You know I love your work! Keep it up girl!”

From Kelly Clarkson

Daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is replacing Paula Abdul on the upcoming season of “American Idol.”

Fox television made the announcement Wednesday (Sept. 9). Although I was hoping Paula would eventually return to the show, I am willing to give Ellen a chance for now. 

The full Associated Press story is posted below.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ellen DeGeneres is dancing her way into the fourth judge’s seat on “American Idol.”

Fox announced Wednesday the talk show host and comedian, who admittedly has no formal music experience, just a passion for tunes, will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi for the ninth season. The announcement all but seals the departure of Paula Abdul, the original third judge who announced she was quitting amid a contract dispute in July.

Wednesday’s announcement came as a shock to many of the singing competition’s fans, who did not expect the Emmy-winning talk show host to fill Abdul’s spot. DeGeneres told her talk show audience in an episode scheduled to air Thursday that she had been “dying to tell everyone” and would not abandon her chatfest. Instead, she will have “a day job and a night job.”

“The times we’re living in,” she quipped, “we’re all doing that.”

Abdul had been replaced by a succession of guest judges across the country as “Idol” started next season’s auditions, which will air in January. Among them: Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry and Shania Twain — but not the 51-year-old DeGeneres, who will join the ninth season following the show’s tryout rounds.

“Hopefully, I’m the people’s point of view because I’m just like you,” DeGeneres said on her talk show. “I sit at home and I watch it, and I don’t have that technical … I’m not looking at it in a critical way from the producer’s mind. I’m looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person.”

It won’t be DeGeneres’ first time in a reality TV judge’s seat — or on “Idol.” She served as a guest judge earlier this summer on “So You Think You Can Dance,” critiquing the dancing competition’s top eight finalists. In 2007, she was the co-host of “Idol Gives Back,” the singing contest’s charity event. She returned the next year in a pre-taped segment.

DeGeneres’ has enjoyed a successful reign as the host of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” for the past six years, although her four-year streak as the talk show host Daytime Emmy winner ended this year when Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Sherri Shepherd and Barbara Walters from ABC’s “The View” were awarded the prize for the first time.

“Beyond her incredible sense of humor and love of music, she brings with her an immense warmth and compassion that is almost palpable,” said “Idol” executive producer and FremantleMedia North America CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz in a statement. “She is one of America’s foremost entertainers, and we cannot wait to have her join our team.”

With the four judges’ seats now filled, it’s highly unlikely Abdul will return to her post on “Idol.” Known for her sugary sweet but often obscure evaluations, Abdul had served as judge alongside Cowell and Jackson since the show’s debut in 2002. Producers attempted to shake up the franchise last season by adding songwriter DioGuardi as a fourth judge.

Since departing “Idol,” Abdul has gone diva, filming a cameo for Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva” as a gavel-banging, glammed-up version of herself and signing on to host the live “VH1 Divas” concert Sept. 17. Abdul has yet to announce a steady job to replace her role on the Fox singing contest, but she told TV Guide last week she’d like to host a talk show.

In her first job since resigning from “American Idol,” Paula Abdul will host the VH1 Divas special set to air Sept. 17 on VH1.

Abdul made the announcement on her Twitter page.  The televised concert spotlights female musicians, and raises money for the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

This year’s performers include Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis, Miley Cyrus, Jordin Sparks and Adele. 

The show will air live from the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Rock singer Chris Daughtry’s band are taking their show on the road with a fall and winter tour.

The tour will kick off Oct. 18 in Topeka, Kansas.  

The band will stop in Tulsa on Dec. 15 at the Bank of Oklahoma Center, and the tour will conclude Dec. 20 in Evansville, Indiana. 

The group’s lead singer Chris Daughtry placed  fourth on “American Idol” season five.  The group is currently promoting their new CD “Leave This Town.”

The tour schedule is posted below.  Ticket information is available at www.daughtryofficial.com/us/home

Oct. 19: Topeka, KS (Kansas ExpoCentre)
Oct. 21: Omaha, NE (Omaha Civic Auditorium)
Oct. 22: Ames, IA (Hilton Coliseum)
Oct. 24: Madison, WI (Alliant Energy Center)
Oct. 25: Peoria, IL (Peoria Civic Center)
Oct. 26: Ft. Wayne, IN (Allen County War Memorial Coliseum)
Oct. 28: Lansing, MI (Breslin Events Center)
Oct. 29: Saginaw, MI (Dow Events Center)
Oct. 31: Toledo, OH (Lucas County Arena)
Nov. 2: Toronto, ON (Air Canada Centre)
Nov. 4: Youngstown, OH (Covelli Centre)
Nov. 5: Reading, PA (Sovereign Center)
Nov. 6: Atlantic City, NJ (Trump Taj Mahal)
Nov. 12: Greensboro, NC (Greensboro Coliseum)
Nov. 13: Highland Heights, KY (The Bank of Kentucky Center)
Nov. 14: Huntington, WV (Big Sandy Superstore Arena)
Nov. 16: Wilkes-Barre, PA (Wachovia Arena)
Nov. 17: Bridgeport, CT (Arena at HarborYard)   
Nov. 19: Fairfax, VA (Patriot Center)
Nov. 20: Charlottesville, VA (John Paul Jones Arena)
Nov. 30: Gainesville, FL (Stephen Connell Center)
Dec. 1: Tallahassee, FL (Tallahassee County Civic Center)
Dec. 2: Pensacola, FL (Pensacola Civic Center)
Dec. 4: Birmingham, AL (BJCC Arena)
Dec. 5: Louisville, KY (Broadbent Arena)
Dec. 7: Tupelo, MS (BancorpSouth Arena)
Dec. 8: Bossier City, LA (CenturyTel Center)
Dec. 9: Lafayette, LA (Cajundome)       
Dec. 11: Corpus Christi, TX (American Bank Center)
Dec. 12: San Antonio, TX (Freeman Coliseum)
Dec. 13: Austin, TX (Frank Erwin Center)
Dec. 15: Tulsa, OK (BOK Center)
Dec. 16: Jonesboro, AR (ASU Convocation Center)
Dec. 18: Little Rock, AR (Verizon Arena)
Dec. 19: Southaven, MS (DeSoto Civic Center)
Dec. 20: Evansville, IN (Roberts Stadium)

If you have followed Kelly Clarkson’s career since when she won the first season of “American Idol,” you probably noticed how her weight fluctuates. 

Sometimes it’s way up, sometimes it’s way down.  Media critics have been critical of Clarkson’s weight as she makes her rounds on the circuit to promote her CD. 

In the latest issue of Self magazine, Clarkson responds to her critics.  She said “Of course celebrities have cellulite.  When people talk about my weight, I’m like, ‘You seem to have a problem with it.  I don’t. I’m fine.  My happy weight changes. Sometimes I eat more. sometimes I play more.”

For the record, I think the whispers about Clarkson’s weight is nonsense. Yes, she has gained a few pounds, but she isn’t obese. 

In Hollywood, she probably is considered to be fatso.  But in the real world, she’s actually considered skinny. 

Tim Henley

Kara DioGuardi appeared on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show to discuss Paula Abdul’s departure from American Idol.

I’ve always speculated that Idol producers brought Kara to the show last year as a fourth judge because they wanted to slowly push Paula out of the door. 

Kara dismisses those rumors and says she wasn’t there to replace Paula.  An excerpt from the interview is posted below.

“The kind of heart she treated the contestants with she treated me with last year.  She was so kind to me and made me feel immediately like part of the panel.”

“I’ve left her a lot of messages. I talked to her last week.  I haven’t spoken to her this week. 

“The way I’m understanding it is that it was her choice to leave.  I never was here to replace her. It would be impossible to replace Paula Abdul. She’s an incredible talent. She is somebody who helped make the show as big as it is. How could you ever replace that?”

“If anything, she was really somebody who helped me because it was awkward at times being the fourth person.”

As you already know, “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul will not return to the show for a ninth season. “American Idol” staff and former contestants react to the shocking news.

“I am shocked and saddened about Paula. Idol and the cast have grown with each other over the last 8 seasons. I can’t imagine the panel without Paula. She’s a star and a great friend.” — American Idol host Ryan Seacrest (Twitter).

“I am shocked.” Paula is a dear friend and will be missed.” — American Idol judge Randy Jackson (US Weekly).

“Not having Paula back for the ninth season of Idol is a huge mistake. Paula, I love you and thank you for making me feel worthy. The show will be nothing without you.” — Season 1 contestant Jim Verraros (Facebook).

“I was shocked. I definitely think the show will be different without Paula.  “The truth is, we don’t spend a lot of time with the judges. However, Paula was the one every elimination show that came backstage to visit with us.  was truly concerned about our well-being. I think because, on that panel of judges, she was the performer, she was the one who experienced what it was like to be on the front lines, she had the empathy for us. She provided a little softness to the table.” — Season 7 contestant Brooke White (MTV News)

“We love you!  Glad I was able to be a part of your last season on the show. You showed us so much love.”  — Season 8 winner Kris Allen (Twitter).

“I’m really sad to see Paula Abdul not coming back to Idol. She was the judge with the biggest heart! She really will be missed.” — Season 8 contestant Danny Gokey (Twitter).

“Paula leaving American Idol is like a honeycomb without the honey.  She brought a sweetness to ‘AI’ that no one can replace. She will be forever our girl.”  – Season 6 contestant Blake Lewis (Entertainment Weekly).