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Steven Tyler is signed, sealed, and Idol’d.

While Fox officially says “no comment,” a very-inside music source confirms the flamboyant Aerosmith singer finalized negotiations late last week and is officially signed on to be a judge on the 10th season of “American Idol.” Whew, now we have somebody else to wear wackier makeup than Paula Abdul ever did, too fab!

And as far as that other glitzy gal rumored to be seated at the judge’s table…

Full Story at CNN.com

(CNN) — A North Carolina woman is alleging that “American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino engaged in an affair with her husband, and says in court documents that the pair “recorded” their sexual encounters.

Paula Cook, who separated from her husband, Antwaun Cook, in June, filed the documents — seeking child custody, alimony and other monetary support — Wednesday in Mecklenburg County District Court.

Full Story at TODAY.msnbc.msn.com

Sources close to “American Idol” are saying that producer Nigel Lythgoe is indeed returning to the show he helped create. That opens the door again for wild speculation about who might sit at the judges’ table when the audition rounds with the judges begin taping.

Lythgoe said last spring that he thought Usher, Elton John and Paula Abdul would make a winning panel.

Don’t hold your breath if you’re waiting for Usher or Elton John, but Paula? She’s a wild card. She tweeted on Tuesday night this Winston Churchill quote: “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put its pants on.”

Full Story at TODAY.msnbc.com

LOS ANGELES — Fox sources say there will be no “American Idol” announcements during the network’s portion of the Television Critics Association press tour on Monday.

That leaves plenty of unresolved questions surrounding the biggest show on television, which is in disarray after Ellen DeGeneres made the shock announcement last Thursday that she was leaving the judges’ table after just one year.

To wit: Has fellow judge Kara DioGuardi really been fired? Is Jennifer Lopez really taking over? And what about Steven Tyler? If executive producer Nigel Lythgoe returns after a two-year absence, what changes does he have in store to restore some luster to the fading franchise?

Full Story at TODAY.msnbc.com

When Ellen DeGeneres was picked to be Paula Abdul’s replacement on “American Idol” less than a year ago, it seemed like an inspired choice.

Ellen was a huge fan of the show who was a natural fit to take over as the “Nice Judge” and expand the show’s reach into the demographics of her hit daytime talk show. And as a brilliant comic with a ready supply of one-liners, she’d have the tenacity to throw elbows with Simon Cowell in a more entertaining way than Paula could manage with her rambling commentary.

But it didn’t work out quite as planned

Full Story at CNN.com

(EW.com) — Jennifer Lopez has inked a deal to join “American Idol’s” judging panel for its upcoming 10th season, an industry source tells People.

The news dropped just hours after Ellen DeGeneres confirmed her exit from the show, despite having only served one year of a reported multi-season deal.

Full Story at TODAYmsnbc.msn.com

This past season of “American Idol” is widely regarded as one of the show’s worst, and the corresponding Idol Live! tour might be the last nail in season nine’s coffin.

The tour, which features the final 10 contestants, has suffered poor ticket sales (example: at press time, Wednesday’s show at Jones Beach, right outside New York, featured front-row seats still available for just $13). Seven shows have been cancelled, and nine shows have been rescheduled.

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Bret Michaels’ post-hemorrhage “American Idol” performance generated a tremendous amount of buzz. Now the rocker is saying he was so well received, he’s made it to the show’s short list of potential Simon Cowell replacements.

“I don’t know (if I’m going to replace Cowell). We have a meeting in L.A. in a couple weeks and we’re going to sit down and talk,” Michaels told Parade magazine. “(‘Idol’) did a poll and I think it was Madonna, P. Diddy, Howard Stern and myself, and I took 50 percent or 60 percent of the vote and that’s tremendous. I would love to be a judge on ‘American Idol.’ I think I would bring a lot to the table.”

Full Story at CNN.com

Los Angeles, California (CNN) — Lee DeWyze, a paint salesman from Chicago, Illinois, was announced the winner of Fox’s “American Idol” on Wednesday night, edging out fellow 24-year-old Crystal Bowersox, a mother from Elliston, Ohio, affectionately known as “MamaSox” to her fans.

After host Ryan Seacrest revealed him as the winner, an emotional DeWyze performed his rendition of U2’s “Beautiful Day” while sparklers and confetti rained down from the rafters at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.

Full Story at TODAY.msnbc.msn.com

LOS ANGELES — He began as “Mr. Nasty,” morphed into one of the most beloved (and richest) stars of U.S. pop culture, and ushered in a brutal style of reality TV.

Simon “I don’t mean to be rude, but..” Cowell bids farewell to “American Idol” this week, leaving a litany of stinging put-downs, an assortment of black and white T-shirts and big shoes to fill on what began in 2002 as a summer talent contest and became America’s most watched TV show.