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American Idol


Show Summary

After a successful first year at the judges' table, singers Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler return for their sophomore efforts, alongside longtime judge Randy Jackson, as ``American Idol'' returns for its 11th season. Stability is the keyword for this season as the judges' panel remains the same for the second straight year, the first time the panel has been the same in consecutive seasons since the addition of the (short-lived) fourth judge following season seven. Speaking of stability, the format of the show is the same format that its fans have come to know and love. For the uninitiated, here it is in a nutshell: following regional auditions (some more painful to watch than others), chosen contestants make it through to the Hollywood round, which is the final step before making it to the semifinals and ultimately the finals, during which the contestants perform on stage in front of a live audience. Hosting the competition, as he has for the last decade, is Ryan Seacrest.

American Idol Recaps

  • 'American Idol' recap: One on One

    Tonight's pre-credits sequence is about the final two. It's all diary-themed because this is their "story," and the onscreen text reminds us that their auditions...

  • 'American Idol' recap: And Then There Were Two

    It never occurred to naïve little me what ideal pre-credits sequence fodder the homecoming parades would be, but of course now here it is, set...

  • 'American Idol' recap: Hometown Heroes

    In front of moodily-lit mug shots of the final three on the projection screen behind him, Ryan runs down their hometowns: Leesburg, GA for Phil;...

  • 'American Idol' recap: Who Judges the Judges?

    Because tonight, one finalist's triumphant top-three homecoming parade will be snatched away, the pre-credits sequence starts with an Instagrammed montage of past finalists' hometown events,...

  • 'American Idol' recap: Filler Filler

    The pre-credits sequence reminds us multiple times that after Skylar's exit last week, we're down to the top four. And it also replays Carrie Underwood's...

  • 'American Idol' recap: Exit Laine

    Tonight's pre-credits opening is photo-themed, segueing from one of the finalists' endlessly redundant photo shoots to onscreen text about how a photograph captures a moment,...

» More American Idol Recaps

American Idol Next Episode

We're sorry, there are no national broadcasts of this TV show in the next two weeks.