Jennifer Hudson
Photo: Gillian Ross/ Getty Images

Jennifer Hudson's friends and colleagues have showered her with condolences and messages of support in the wake of the tragic deaths of her mother, brother and nephew on Friday. In a testament to the wide net the singer/actress has cast across the entertainment world in the four years since she first appeared on "American Idol," personalities from the worlds of music, film and television wished Hudson and her family her strength and love.

"American Idol" judge Simon Cowell told "Extra," "I was horrified when I heard the news. This is an appalling tragedy. My thoughts right now are with Jennifer and her family."

Fellow "Idol" judge Paula Abdul told the show, "This is a horrific tragedy and my thoughts and prayers go out to Jennifer and her entire family. The time I had to get to know Jennifer and forge a wonderful friendship with her while she was on 'Idol' was very special to me, and I personally can't imagine a greater loss for any family."

Hudson's "Dreamgirls" co-star Sharon Leal told MTV News, "I got a bunch of texts about what happened, and I was hoping it wasn't true. I reached out to her, and my thoughts and prayers are with her. It's unimaginable what's she's going through. It's devastating news. I'm sending good vibes out to her, and I hope she gets through everything."

Hudson's "Life of Bees" co-star Queen Latifah told "Access Hollywood," "When we heard the news of Jennifer losing her mother and her brother, our hearts broke for her, and we immediately began to pray for her strength and comfort and that of her family, as well as for the safe return of her nephew." She added, "I know the family is devastated and heartbroken and I hope that friends and fans and those who care about her just pray for her and give her all the support that she needs at this moment and for quite a long time to come."

In a statement to "Access Hollywood," Hudson's "Sex and the City" co-star Sarah Jessica Parker said, "My heart goes out to her and her family in their time of anguish and grief."

Over the weekend, Democratic presidential nominee and fellow Chicagoan Barack Obama said, "Michelle and I were absolutely heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy. We want Jennifer to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time."

Hudson's fellow "Idol" contestants sent their support as well. "My heart, my prayers and love go out to Jennifer and her family," LaToya London told "Access Hollywood." "I will constantly keep them in my prayers. Jennifer, stay strong."

Camile Velasco knew Hudson's mother and told "Access Hollywood," "She was a great lady, real sweet and a great supporter of Jennifer's who was happy and glad for her daughter's success," she said. "Jennifer has great faith in God and is loved by so many so I hope that will get her through this ordeal. She has my love and support and I am here for her if she needs me."

"I was completely shocked and stunned when I heard about this tragedy," Diana DeGarmo told "Access Hollywood." "I know how important Jennifer's mother and brother were to her, especially because her father was never in the picture. They were so nice and so pleasant. Jennifer always spoke about her mom, how close they were and how much of a 'big sister' role her mom played in her life."

Reps for Beyoncé, who starred with Hudson in "Dreamgirls," and fellow "Idol" vet Fantasia told MTV News that they have chosen not to comment publicly on the tragedy in order to respect Hudson's privacy.

• Jennifer Hudson's Family Tragedy

• Jennifer Hudson
• Paula Abdul
• Beyoncé
• Fantasia
• Queen Latifah

Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks
Photo: FOX

Before "American Idol" sucks you in with the latest crop of contestants, make sure you're well-versed on the show's long (and sometimes lurid) history!

From the ear-pleasing highs to the glass-shattering "no!"s, this timeline by MTV News' "American Idol" expert Jim Cantiello will tell you everything you need to know about the first six seasons: the scandals, the shocking eliminations and the so-bad-they're-brilliant, oh-no-they-didn't performances.

Season Six: 2007

WINNER: Jordin Sparks

RUNNER-UP: Blake Lewis

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): The first time Jordin Sparks sings "I (Who Have Nothing)" proves that the 17-year-old is a major contender in the competition, giving older, more seasoned singers like Melinda Doolittle a run for their money. (However, the second time Jordin sings the Shirley Bassey classic proves Sparks is less an emotionally mature 17-year-old and more an easily programmed teen-bot.)

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): During Diana Ross week, similarly follicled Chris Sligh takes "Endless Love" and Coldplay's "Clocks," throws them in a blender and hits the "pulverize" button. The result is a 90-second performance of whiny high notes and off-kilter melody tweaks. Appropriate enough, it feels endless.

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: Kristen Wiig look-alike Nicole Tranquillo doesn't survive one week of the semifinals, and you can't really blame America, considering the wild-eyed caterwauling she displays on Chaka Khan's "Stay." Between the funny faces, the spastic body jerks (I don't dare call it dancing), and the cocky persona, Nicole emerges as the looniest, most passionate contestant of the season. No surprise that Nicole is Paula's favorite singer.

SEASON SHOCKER: A 16-year-old country crooner named Baylie Brown wows viewers with an audition that Simon calls "commercial with a capital C." Many expect to see her in the finals, only to be floored a few weeks later when, during Hollywood Week, the judges cut Baylie for forgetting the lyrics (even though her groupmate Antonella Barba — more on her below — makes it through to the next rounds despite also drawing a blank). Later in the season, arguably the best singer in "Idol" history, Melinda Doolittle, fails to make the top two as beatboxer Blake Lewis and young whippersnapper Jordin Sparks move on to the finale. You know it's a shock when even Simon Cowell looks sincerely flabbergasted.

SEASON SCANDALS: In the midst of the semifinals, PG-13-rated photos of Antonella Barba surface, some of which show her either cavorting around a veterans memorial in a wet T-shirt or sitting on a toilet. (Additional X-rated photos that claim to be of Barba are quickly proven to be fake.) Producers keep Antonella around, which prompts Frenchie Davis fans (Rosie O'Donnell included) to cry racism. Alas, America isn't feeling Antonella's vocal stylings and sends her back to New Jersey the final week of the semis. Once in the top 12, iffy contestant Sanjaya Malakar somehow avoids the dreaded "bottom three" for several weeks. Howard Stern and VoteForTheWorst.com take credit for his longevity after running public campaigns to keep the less-than-outstanding singer around as long as possible. And finally, during the finale, Clive Davis spends what feels like 45 minutes praising Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks, Kellie Pickler — hell, practically every "Idol" contestant except Kelly Clarkson, with whom he's embroiled in a very public dispute over the creative direction of her angry album "My December." (In a delicious TV moment, after Clarkson finishes ripping through her single "Never Again," the "Idol" director cuts to an awkward audience-reaction shot of Davis.)

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY : Season six suffers from I.I.C., or "Idol Identity Crisis." Rather than focusing on the one thing fans actually care about — the contestants — "Idol" instead acts like Angelina Jolie ("Idol Gives Back"); "TRL" (patience-testing appearances by Fergie, Gwen Stefani, Akon, J. Lo and Robin Thicke, to name a few); and NASCAR (even more product placement than usual). During the competition, Blake Lewis and Chris Sligh take major risks with contemporary song choices and their own modern arrangements of classic tunes, letting audiences know that they're more than just karaoke stars. Meanwhile, Sanjaya's outrageous hairstyles and awkward disposition make him a household name (and the punch line to countless late-night talk-show jokes). Toward the end of the season, producers hold a songwriting competition to fight off complaints from viewers that the "Idol" coronation song is always too sappy. Ironically, America chooses "This Is My Now" (perhaps the sappiest song yet) as the big finale single. The first season during which numbers are dangerously down — both in ratings and in album sales — suggests that "Idol" isn't invincible. And lastly, a little girl named Ashley Ferl becomes an overnight celebrity after she spends the entirety of Sanjaya's "You Really Got Me" in hysterics.

Season Five: 2006

WINNER: Taylor Hicks

RUNNER-UP: Katharine McPhee

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Paris Bennett's "Take Five" (from her first audition) still gives me goose bumps with every single note. It's so genius that Paula's sheep-like "Ya-a-a-a-a-a" reaction is poetry compared to the joyful-but-bizarre noises I made when I first heard Bennett. It's really unfortunate that during her "Idol" run Princess P never tops this flawless first impression.

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Ace Young squeezes Train's "Drops of Jupiter" out of his voice box and then exposes his chest to reveal a scar ... while he sings a lyric about a scar. Seriously, dude? P.S.: It looks like special-effects makeup, if you ask me.

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: In the season's semifinal kickoff, Manilooney (and just plain looney) Bobby Bennett proves that what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas, and fans of all things campy hit the jackpot. Between the wide-eyed mugging, the "Liza with a Z" jazz hands and the song dedication to his dead "gram," Bennett's performance is deranged enough for you to think that John Waters cast this round of "Idol."

SEASON SHOCKER: The two-hour season finale is so jam-packed with surprise guests, weeping random audience members and cheesetastic group numbers that for once "Idol" airs a results show that isn't 99 percent boring filler — and that might be the biggest "Idol" shocker ever.

SEASON SCANDALS: Any plus-size divas out there? Take note: Gay men will probably make up most of your fanbase, so don't pull a Mandisa. The singer cites "Pray the Gay Away" preacher Beth Moore as a personal hero, and then busts out some spoken word at the top of a song that comes off as being ... questionable: "Your addiction, lifestyle and situation may be big, but God is bigger!" Regardless of 'Disa's clarification attempt — "When I said 'lifestyle' I was talking about my food addiction" — the harm is already done and her fans flee. A week later, she goes bye-bye. On an also-ran note, flamboyant identical twins Derrell and Terrell Brittenum are "uninvited" from the competition after they're thrown in jail for a 2005 incident in which they allegedly stole a man's identity to buy a car. Thankfully, their arrest happens after the Hollywood Week episodes taped, so viewers are still treated to their fair share of Brittenum-related diva tantrums and hissy fits.

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY : Considering nine out of the 12 finalists score music deals (including fourth-placer Chris Daughtry whose debut album breaks records), it goes to show you that you don't have to win "American Idol" to have a career — and considering the fizzling sales of Katharine's and Taylor's records, it goes to show you that winning "American Idol" (or at least making it to the finale) doesn't guarantee a career, either. (Both Kat and Taylor were dropped from their record labels in early 2008.)

Season Four: 2005

WINNER: Carrie Underwood

RUNNER-UP: Bo Bice

HIGH-NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Rockers Bo Bice and Constantine Maroulis each have their moment in the sun. Bice's a cappella "In a Dream" stops everyone dead in their tracks, while Constantine's "Bohemian Rhapsody" is not the train wreck it should be. Ironically, country star Carrie Underwood shines brightest when singing a rock song, Heart's "Alone."

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): I'm tempted to pick Anthony Federov's "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" only so I can mention Simon's hilariously simple "hideous" assessment, but Mikalah Gordon's "Love Will Lead You Back" is far too offensive to overlook. The hyperactive teen takes Taylor Dayne's lush ballad and sings it like a goose warning its gaggle of imminent danger: 92 seconds of ear torture.

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: The theme is " '70s Dance Music" (or, as everyone else in the world calls it, disco), and lucky for us, country fembot Carrie Underwood is not wired to handle it. During her dazed, confused and downright petrified "MacArthur Park," someone switches the Underwood-4000's vocal mode to "4-year-old pageant queen" and her hairstyle to "40-year-old drag queen." Yes!

SEASON SHOCKER: Judd Harris' elimination is a jaw-dropper — not necessarily because we expect him to advance, but because of the manner in which he is eliminated. During the semifinals, Seacrest tells the front row (Judd included) to sit pretty and relax. Then, after "safe"-ing each of the back row's contestants, the host, without any warning, turns back to the couch and announces, "Judd, you are out." If there's such a thing as karma, Seacrest is in for one hell of a firing some day.

SEASON SCANDALS: Days before the top 12 are set to hit the stage, front-runner Mario Vazquez drops out of the show for personal reasons. (A lawsuit filed against Vazquez in 2007 claims he pulled a George Michael on a crew member. Whoa!) Later in the season, "Idol" is forced to hold a re-vote after a production error displays incorrect phone numbers on a performance show. Oops! The "Idol" gods save the best scandal for last, however. Season-two degenerate Corey Clark (see season-two scandals below) re-emerges with an inflammatory book to sell. In it, he claims that the real reason he was DQ'd from the show back in '03 was because he was having an illicit affair with Abdul. On a sensational prime-time news special (called — wait for it — "Fallen Idol") the former contestant speaks (and sings) about his "relationship" in graphic detail. (I'm still trying to track down an MP3 of the song "Paulatics," by the way.) Abdul denies it, "Idol" hires a private-investigative team, and wouldn't you know it? They conclude that Paula was straight-up telling the truth.

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY: The "rockers" put a much-needed new spin on the "Idol" formula, juicing up the competition with a fresh, unexpected energy. (There are only so many times you can hear an amateur destroy "My Cherie Amour," right?) Also, in order to prevent season three's crazy gender gap, the show institutes the six boys/ six girls top-12 quota we all know and loathe. Plus, producers get even looser with their moral code. The show barely bats an eyelash when domestic charges against Scott Savol and past drug arrests for finalist Bo become public. (Audiences don't seem to care, either.) And finally, the first country "Idol" is crowned and goes on to become one of the biggest names in the genre, while Bo the Rocker's career flat-lines.

Season Three: 2004

WINNER: Fantasia Barrino

RUNNER-UP: Diana DeGarmo

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): If you look up "wow moment" in the "Idol" dictionary, you'll see a picture of Fantasia singing her signature "Summertime."

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Poor John Stevens. Unless it's standards night, there's no way in hell the crooner can succeed. But there's no excuse for his listless Latin-night offering, "Music of the Heart." Simon says it best when he tells the young singer, "You and Latin music go together like chocolate ice cream and an onion." That actually sounds appetizing compared to this painful schlock-a-thon. And this dude outlasts Jennifer Hudson?

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: Camile Velasco is a walking disaster: The girl has such bad stage fright that every time she performs, it looks like she is one swallow away from projectile vomiting all over the judges. Maybe meeting her idol Elton John will loosen her up? Nah. She turns "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" into a whiny, cat-in-heat debacle. I break into cold sweats just thinking about it — while simultaneously wishing it were my ringtone.

SEASON SHOCKER: Is it the result of racism (Sir Elton's theory), a random side effect of an Illinois tornado (Al Roker's theory) or just plain vote-splitting (common-sense theory)? Whatever the case, the bottom three of Barry Manilow week end up being the best singers of the season: Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson and La Toya London, dubbed "The Three Divas" by Ryan Seacrest. (The future Oscar winner is the one to say goodbye.) Three weeks later, the two remaining divas land at the bottom again, as the perennially pitchy Jasmine Trias sits pretty on the "safe" couch. Paula solemnly notes that "America got it wrong" before sobbing uncontrollably as La Toya sings her swan song.

SEASON SCANDALS: Midway through the competition, the increasingly loopy Paula Abdul begins showing up to "Idol" with her arm in a sling. The judge tells "Entertainment Tonight" that she almost lost her thumb in a freak manicure accident, but never fully explains why her entire arm has to be cradled. Two years later, in what might be the oddest celebrity cause ever, Abdul pressures California lawmakers to enforce nail-salon regulations. You can keep your African poverty, Bono. Abdul wants our cuticles protected!

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY: Because of the gospel-influenced divas, season three is remembered as the year "Idol" went to church. (No wonder watching Fantasia's post-win performance of "I Believe" is a religious experience!) Season three is also notorious for "discovering" William Hung, a naive Asian civil-engineering student who auditions for the show and is catapulted into the limelight thanks to a severely off-key rendition of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs." His fame (and record contract) births a new breed of "Idol" celebrity: the freak show.

Season Two: 2003

WINNER: Ruben Studdard

RUNNER-UP: Clay Aiken

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): During Hollywood Week, the big (voiced) girls Frenchie Davis and Kimberley Locke band together for a diva-licious duet of "Band of Gold." It's supposed to be a group number, but the other female contestants are too chicken to share the stage with the two best singers in the batch. They're smart to steer clear.

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Deciding on the worst Carmen Rasmussen performance is like choosing between death by a swarm of bees or toothpick stabbing. I'll go with her Wild Card performance, where Simon puts the attractive-but-tone-deaf singer through to the top 12 even though he says her "Can't Find the Moonlight" was awful. Typical!

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: Marine Josh Gracin performs "Jive Talkin' " like he's trying to pick a fight with everyone in America at once. The hand-held camera remains about 4 inches away from his face as he walks through the crowd, making "give it to me" hand gestures for a minute straight for no apparent reason. Did I mention that his facial expressions make him look like a dude in a porno? It is stunning in its wrongness.

SEASON SHOCKER: Aside from the ousted contestants (see scandals below) and the terrifying Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire being a guest judge, the biggest shock has to be that the formerly annoying Ryan Seacrest is a lot more likeable without scripted banter and an unnecessary co-host at his side. Sorry, Brian Dunkleman!

SEASON SCANDALS: Pack a lunch — it's gonna take awhile to weed through all this. First, before the semifinals begin, front-runner Frenchie Davis is told to hit the road after it is uncovered that she has modeled topless for a skuzzy porn site. Although Frenchie says she was honest to executives about her past, the same cannot be said about Corey Clark. Nine hours after the Smoking Gun posts a mug shot of the alleged sister-beater, the blindsided producers oust Corey from "Idol." And lastly, Trenyce is humiliated when her especially unglamorous mug shot (for a 1999 felony theft charge) pops up on the Internet. Producers let her stay because of her honesty, but America ends up doing the show's dirty work by voting her off.

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY : By casting Ruben, Clay, Kimberley and Frenchie, "AI 2" broadens America's definition of "pop-star image." Fans eat it up. However, by voting on voice over looks, the season ends up being fairly predictable, where the singer who deserves to go home each week does. The final Ruben/Clay showdown is a tight race (one that Seacrest calls a "photo finish"), and although Studdard is the victor, Aiken ultimately wipes the floor with him in record sales. The disqualified Frenchie ends up paving a path that several "Idol" contestants (including Aiken) will follow once their pop music careers stall: Broadway. Speaking of struggling singers, in 2007, Ruben wins a new title: First "Idol" to be dropped by a record label. Ouch.

Season One: 2002

WINNER: Kelly Clarkson

RUNNER-UP: Justin Guarini

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Simon may have called Tamyra Gray's "A House Is Not a Home" one of the best performances on TV ever, but I'm still partial to Kelly Clarkson's offering on big-band night. Her "Stuff Like That There" is sassy, flirty and oozes sex appeal without being over-the-top. (Haley Scarnato, take note!) Bonus points for making me finally understand a genre of music I thought only my grandparents liked. (Xtina, take note!) Christina Christian's mesmerizing "Ain't No Sunshine" is a close second.

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Between the Molly Ringwald dance moves and singing that would make Ashlee Simpson wince, "rocker" Nikki McKibbin's "Always Something There to Remind Me" is a complete and utter disaster. The arrangement certainly doesn't help (nothing says "hard rock" like bad drum programming and an inexplicable "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"-style Vegas breakdown, right?), but the performance truly crosses the line in its final moments, when the single mom panders for votes by pimping her son accepting a rose from her kid. Even Paula hates it.

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: From the "I see London, I see France" miniskirt to the manic delivery, Ryan Starr's "Frim Fram Sauce" had me clapping with catty glee. How she's able to stay so hilariously earnest while singing a song about wanting "chafafa on the side" blows my mind.

SEASON SHOCKER: Thanks to a lame Patti LaBelle song choice, über-talented Tamyra gets ousted before the shaky-at-best Nikki McKibbin. An emotional McKibbin is propelled into the top three, the studio audience boos, and in five seconds, "Idol" becomes the most unpredictable show on TV.

SEASON SCANDALS: Some cry foul when Christina Christian's elimination falls on the same night she happens to be recuperating in a hospital bed due to "exhaustion." (It's even fishier considering her solid performance that week.) For non-conspiracy theorists, the big scandal occurrs in the semifinals when contestant Delano Cagnolati is disqualified for lying about his age. (The equally forgettable Ejay Day replaces him.)

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY : More than just "the season with two hosts," season one lays the low-budget foundation for what will later become the "American Idol" empire. Several seasons — and "Idol" winners — later, purists still point to Kelly Clarkson as the only true "Idol." Her record sales suggest the same, although both Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry have had impressive-so-far post-"Idol" careers as well (sales-wise, anyway). Clarkson's first single breaks a record previously held by the Beatles (!!!) and her first two albums sell a bajillion copies. (Actually, it's more like 12.5 million.) In the broadcast world, reality-show producers bark in unison, "GET ME A CRANKY BRITISH JUDGE!" (see "So You Think You Can Dance and/or Ice-Skate With the Stars and Have Talent?!"), while an ill-conceived (and rushed) attempt at big-screen domination results in one of the worst movies of all time. Paula Abdul enjoys fame again — this time without the help of an animated cat. And lastly, America learns a new word: pitchy.

Which season was your favorite? Do you think season seven will stand the test of time? And will this show ever end?

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• 'American Idol': Six Seasons In Six Minutes

• Jordin Sparks
• Blake Lewis
• Taylor Hicks
• Katharine McPhee
• Carrie Underwood

Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini on the first "American Idol" season finale
Photo: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect

And you thought the sixth season of "American Idol" was filled with hair-raising moments ...

From the ear-pleasing highs to the glass-shattering "no!"s, this timeline by MTV News' "American Idol" expert Jim Cantiello will tell you everything you need to know about the first five seasons: the lurid scandals, the shocking eliminations and the so-bad-they're-brilliant, oh-no-they-didn't performances.

Season One: 2002

WINNER: Kelly Clarkson

RUNNER-UP: Justin Guarini

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Simon may have called Tamyra Gray's "A House Is Not a Home" one of the best performances on TV ever, but I'm still partial to Kelly Clarkson's offering on Big Band night. Her "Stuff Like That There" was sassy, flirty and oozed sex appeal without being over-the-top. (Haley Scarnato, take note!) Bonus points for making me finally understand a genre of music I thought only my grandparents liked. (Xtina, take note!) Christina Christian's mesmerizing "Ain't No Sunshine" is a close second.

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Between the Molly Ringwald dance moves and singing that would make Ashlee Simpson wince, "rocker" Nikki McKibbin's "Always Something There to Remind Me" was a complete and utter disaster. The arrangement certainly didn't help (nothing says "hard rock" like bad drum programming and an inexplicable "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"-style Vegas breakdown, right?) but the performance truly crossed the line in its final moments, when the single mom pandered for votes by pimping her son accepting a rose from her kid. Even Paula hated it.

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: From the "I see London, I see France" mini skirt to the manic delivery, Ryan Starr's "Frim Fram Sauce" had me clapping with catty glee. How she was able to stay so hilariously earnest while singing a song about wanting "chafafa on the side" blows my mind.

SEASON SHOCKER: Thanks to a lame Patti LaBelle song choice, über-talented Tamyra gets ousted before the shaky-at-best Nikki McKibbin. An emotional McKibbin is propelled into the top three, the studio audience boos, and in five seconds, "Idol" becomes the most unpredictable show on TV.

SEASON SCANDALS: Some cry foul when Christina Christian's elimination falls on the same night she happens to be recuperating in a hospital bed due to "exhaustion." (It's even fishier considering her performance that week was solid.) For non-conspiracy theorists, the big scandal occurred in the semifinals when contestant Delano Cagnolati was disqualified for lying about his age. (The equally forgettable Ejay Day replaced him.)

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY : More than just "the season with two hosts," season one laid the low-budget foundation for what would later become the "American Idol" empire. Several seasons — and "Idol" winners — later, purists still point to Kelly Clarkson as the only true "Idol." Her record sales suggest the same, although both Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry have had impressive-so-far post-"Idol" careers as well (sales-wise, anyway). Clarkson's first single breaks a record previously held by The Beatles (!!!) and her first two albums go on to sell a bajillion copies. (Actually, it's more like 12.5 million.) In the broadcast world, reality-show producers bark in unison, "GET ME A CRANKY BRITISH JUDGE!" (see "So You Think You Can Dance and/or Ice-Skate With the Stars AND Have Talent?!"), while an ill-conceived (and rushed) attempt at big-screen domination results in one of the worst movies of all time. Paula Abdul enjoys fame again — this time without the help of an animated cat. And lastly, America learns a new word: pitchy.

Season Two: 2003

WINNER: Ruben Studdard

RUNNER-UP: Clay Aiken

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): During "Hollywood Week" the big (voiced) girls Frenchie Davis and Kimberley Locke banded together for a diva-licious duet, "Band of Gold." It was supposed to be a group number but the other female contestants were too chicken to share the stage with the two best singers in the batch. They were smart to steer clear.

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Deciding on the worst Carmen Rasmussen performance is like choosing between death by a swarm of bees or toothpick stabbing. I'll go with the Wild Card performance, where Simon put the attractive-but-tone-deaf singer through to the top 12 even though he said her "Can't Find the Moonlight" was awful. Typical!

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: Marine Josh Gracin performed "Jive Talkin' " like he was trying to pick a fight with everyone in America at once. The handheld camera remained about four inches away from his face as he walked through the crowd, making "give it to me" hand gestures for a minute straight for no apparent reason. Did I mention that his facial expressions made him look like a dude in a porno? It was stunning in its wrongness.

SEASON SHOCKER: Aside from the ousted contestants (see "Season Scandals" below) and the terrifying Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire being a guest judge, the biggest shock had to be that the formerly annoying Ryan Seacrest was a lot more likeable without scripted banter and an unnecessary co-host at his side. Sorry, Brian Dunkleman!

SEASON SCANDALS: Pack a lunch — it's gonna take awhile to weed through all this. First, before the semifinals began, front-runner Frenchie Davis was told to hit the road after it was uncovered that she had modeled topless for a skuzzy porn site. Although Frenchie says she was honest to executives about her past, the same cannot be said about Corey Clark. Nine hours after the Smoking Gun posted a mugshot of the alleged sister-beater, the blindsided producers ousted Corey from "Idol." (The saga continued: see Season Four.) And lastly, Trenyce was humiliated when her especially unglamorous mugshot (for a 1999 felony theft charge) popped up on the Internet. Producers let her stay because of her honesty, but America ended up doing the show's dirty work by voting her off.

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY : By casting Ruben, Clay, Kimberley and Frenchie, "AI2" broadened America's definition of "pop star image." Fans ate it up. However, by voting on voice over looks, the season ended up being fairly predictable, where the singer who deserved to go home each week did. The final Ruben/Clay showdown was a tight race (one that Seacrest called a "photo finish") and although Studdard was the victor, Aiken ultimately wiped the floor with him in record sales.

Season Three: 2004

WINNER: Fantasia Barrino

RUNNER-UP: Diana DeGarmo

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): If you look up "Wow moment" in the "Idol" dictionary, you'll see a picture of Fantasia singing her signature "Summertime."

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Poor John Stevens. Unless it was standards night, there was no way in hell the crooner could succeed. But there's no excuse for his listless Latin night offering, "Music of the Heart." Simon said it best when he told the young singer, "You and Latin music go together like chocolate ice cream and an onion." That actually sounds appetizing compared to this painful schlock-a-thon. This dude outlasted Jennifer Hudson??

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: Camile Velasco was a walking disaster: The girl had such bad stage fright that every time she performed, it looked like she was one swallow away from projectile-vomiting all over the judges. Maybe meeting her idol Elton John would loosen her up? Nah. She turned "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" into a whiney cat-in-heat debacle. I break into cold sweats just thinking about it — while simultaneously wishing it was my ringtone.

SEASON SHOCKER: Was it the result of racism (Sir Elton's theory), a random side-effect of an Illinois tornado (Al Roker's theory) or just plain vote-splitting (common-sense theory)? Whatever the case, the bottom three of Barry Manilow week ended up being the best singers of the season: Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson and La Toya London, dubbed "The Three Divas" by Ryan Seacrest. (The future Oscar winner was the one to say goodbye that night.) Three weeks later, the two remaining divas landed at the bottom again, as the perennially pitchy Jasmine Trias sat pretty on the "safe" couch. Paula solemnly noted that "America got it wrong" before sobbing uncontrollably as La Toya sang her swan song.

SEASON SCANDALS: Midway through the competition, the increasingly loopy Paula Abdul begins showing up to "Idol" with her arm in a sling. The judge tells "Entertainment Tonight" that she almost lost her thumb in a freak manicure accident, but never fully explains why her entire arm had to be cradled. Two years later, in what might be the oddest celebrity cause ever, Abdul pressures California lawmakers to enforce nail-salon regulations. You can keep your African poverty, Bono. Abdul wants our cuticles protected, dammit!

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY: Because of the gospel-influenced divas, season three is remembered as the year "Idol" went to church. (No wonder watching Fantasia's post-win performance of "I Believe" was a religious experience!) Season three is also notorious for "discovering" William Hung, a naive Asian civil-engineering student who auditioned for the show and was catapulted to the limelight thanks to a severely off-key rendition of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs." His fame (and record contract) births a new breed of "Idol" celebrity: the freak show.

Season Four: 2005

WINNER: Carrie Underwood

RUNNER-UP: Bo Bice

HIGH-NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Rockers Bo Bice and Constantine Maroulis each had their moment in the sun. Bice's a cappella "In a Dream" stopped everyone dead in their tracks, while Constantine's "Bohemian Rhapsody" was not the train wreck it should have been. Ironically, country star Carrie Underwood shone brightest when singing a rock song, Heart's "Alone."

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): I'm tempted to pick Anthony Federov's "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" only so I can mention Simon's hilariously simple "hideous" assessment, but Mikalah Gordon's "Love Will Lead You Back" is far too offensive to overlook. The hyperactive teen took Taylor Dayne's lush ballad and sang it like a goose warning its gaggle of imminent danger: 92 seconds of ear torture.

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: The theme was "70's Dance Music" (or as everyone else in the world calls it, disco) and lucky for us, country femmebot Carrie Underwood was not wired to handle it. During her dazed, confused and downright petrified "MacArthur Park," someone switched the Underwood-4000's vocal mode to "4-year-old pageant queen" and her hairstyle to "40-year-old drag queen." Yes!

SEASON SHOCKER: Judd Harris' elimination was a jaw-dropper — not necessarily because we expected him to advance, but because of the manner in which he was eliminated. During the semifinals, Seacrest told the front row (Judd included) to sit pretty and relax. Then, after "safe"-ing each of the back row's contestants, the host, without any warning, turns back to the couch and announces, "Judd, YOU are OUT." If there's such a thing as karma, Seacrest is in for one hell of a firing some day.

SEASON SCANDALS: Days before the top 12 were set to hit the stage, front-runner Mario Vazquez dropped out of the show for personal reasons. (A lawsuit filed against Vazquez in 2007 claims he pulled a George Michael on a crew member. Whoa!) Later in the season, "Idol" is forced to hold a re-vote after a production error displays incorrect phone numbers on a performance show. Oops! The "Idol" gods saved the best scandal for last, however. Season-two degenerate Corey Clark re-emerged with an inflammatory book to sell. In it, he claimed that the real reason he was DQ'd from the show back in '03 was because he was having an illicit affair with Abdul. On a sensational primetime news special (called — wait for it — "Fallen Idol") the former contestant spoke — and sang — about his "relationship" in graphic detail. (I'm still trying to track down an MP3 of the song "Paulatics," by the way.) Abdul denies it, "Idol" hires a private investigative team, and wouldn't you know it? They conclude that Paula was straight-up telling the truth.

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY : The "rockers" put a much-needed new spin on the "Idol" formula, juicing up the competition with a fresh, unexpected energy. (There's only so many times you can hear an amateur destroy "My Cherie Amour," right?) Also, in order to prevent season three's crazy gender gap, the show institutes the six boys/ six girls top-12 quota we all know and loathe. Plus, producers get even looser with their moral code. The show barely bats an eyelash when domestic charges against Scott Savol and past drug arrests for finalist Bo become public. (Audiences don't seem to care, either.) And finally, the first country "Idol" is crowned and goes on to become one of the biggest names in the genre, while Bo the Rocker's career stalls.

Season Five: 2006

WINNER: Taylor Hicks

RUNNER-UP: Katharine McPhee

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Paris Bennett's "Take Five" (from her first audition) still gives me goose bumps with every single note. It's so genius that Paula's sheep-like "Ya-a-a-a-a-a" reaction is poetry compared to the joyful-but-bizarre noises I made when I first heard Bennett. It's really unfortunate that during her "Idol" run Princess P never topped this flawless first impression.

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Ace Young squeezed Train's "Drops of Jupiter" out of his voice box and then exposed his chest to reveal a scar ... while he sang a lyric about a scar. Seriously, dude? P.S.: It looked like special-effects makeup, if you ask me.

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: In the season's semifinal kickoff, Manilooney (and just plain looney) Bobby Bennett proved that what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas, and fans of all things campy hit the jackpot. Between the wide-eyed mugging, the "Liza with a Z" jazz hands and the song dedication to his dead "gram," Bennett's performance was deranged enough for you to think that John Waters cast this round of "Idol."

SEASON SHOCKER: The two-hour season finale was so jam-packed with surprise guests, weeping random audience members and cheesetastic group numbers that for once "Idol" aired a results show that wasn't 99 percent boring filler — and that might be the biggest "Idol" shocker ever.

SEASON SCANDALS: Any plus-sized divas out there? Take note: Gay men will probably make up most of your fanbase, so don't pull a Mandisa. The singer cited "Pray the Gay Away" preacher Beth Moore as a personal hero, and then busted out some spoken word at the top of a song that came off as being ... questionable. "Your addiction, lifestyle and situation may be big, but God is bigger!" Regardless of 'Disa's clarification attempt — "When I said 'lifestyle' I was talking about my food addiction" — the harm was already done and her fans fled. A week later, she went bye-bye.

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY : Considering 9 out of the 12 finalists scored record deals, it goes to show you that you don't have to win "American Idol" to have a career — and considering the fizzling sales of Katharine and Taylor's records, it goes to show you that winning "American Idol" doesn't guarantee a career.

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• 'American Idol': Six Seasons In Six Minutes

• Kelly Clarkson
• Justin Guarini
• Ruben Studdard
• Clay Aiken
• Fantasia

Young Buck (file)
Photo: Jason Campbell

For Young Buck's 24th birthday, some of the rapper's fans gave him the sort of gift that just keeps on giving: bad press. Buck threw himself a party Wednesday night at a Nashville, Tennessee, nightclub, and according to The Associated Press, some uninvited guests tried to crash the soiree — an assemblage of 700 revelers, and a bunch of cops. The crowd rushed the doors of the Trap, but police and shotgun-wielding security guards managed to hold them at bay. Three people were arrested on minor charges. Buck was not charged in the incident, but a police spokesperson told the wire service that police asked him to help them calm the crowd and he refused. ...

Nicole Richie is promising that her debut album will finally hit shelves this year. "I've just been trying to put my whole heart in it because I have so many projects, so it's taking a little longer than I expected," she said. "It's like a mixture of rock and soul, a little bit of dance also. I play piano, violin and cello, so I'm gonna be playing [those instruments] on my album as well." ... P. Diddy, T.I. and a host of other celebs recently gathered in New York for "Rip the Runway," a BET special dedicated to hip-hop fashion and music. Sean John, Baby Phat and G-Unit collections were shown, and Fabolous, Brooke Valentine, Amerie and others performed. The show airs March 24 at 9 p.m. ET and will be hosted by "America's Next Top Model" winner Eva Pigford and stylish man-about-town Farnsworth Bentley. ...

Ruben Studdard is already working on the follow-up to his gospel collection, I Need an Angel, but the second "American Idol" winner is releasing one more single from that album first, "Ain't No Need to Worry," featuring Mary Mary. Studdard is also meeting with movie producers about acting. "I am looking forward to stretching out and doing some different stuff," he said. ... Diana DeGarmo, who returned to record stores this week on the "Ice Princess" soundtrack (with a song called "Reachin' for Heaven"), is debating between "Cardboard Castles" and "Then I Woke Up" as the next single from her debut album, Blue Skies. She's also in talks to be the opening act on a couple of spring pop tours. "I'm very anxious to perform," DeGarmo said. "That's the whole reason why I do this." ... Sri Lankan rapper M.I.A. almost missed her first trip to Austin, Texas, for the South by Southwest Music Festival. Seems the female MC's visa application went missing for a while, nearly derailing her U.S. tour, according to her spokesperson. She did miss dates in San Francisco and Seattle, but all is well now and the "Galang" singer will continue her U.S. tour with upcoming shows in Miami on Wednesday and Philadelphia on March 27. ...

Jay-Z's been busy in his new post as head of Def Jam, and has a few new signings under his belt already. Seventeen-year-old Detroit native Tierra Marie, who will be executive produced by Sean Garrett ("Goodies," "Yeah!," "Lose My Breath"), will release her debut on Roc-A-Fella/ Def Jam in the spring. Another new teen signed to Def Jam is 16-year-old Barbados-based Rihanna, who will be produced by Vada Nobles (The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill). Her first single will be "Pon de Replay." ... Want to save embattled New York punk institution CBGB? Then eat lots and lots of chocolate. The Big Apple's West Village chocolate specialty store Chocolate Bar is launching a limited-edition line of CBGB's gourmet sweets this May, including the Punk Rock Box (a 16-piece truffle collection with iconic imagery stamped on the goodies themselves), and CBGB Retro Bars (2.25 ounces in two flavors). Both come with a postage-paid petition to save the venue, while the truffle box also includes a steel logo keychain and a collection of the club's stickers. You can preorder at www.chocolatebarnyc.com. ...

The Source magazine — whose co-owners David Mays and Ray Benzino have a well-publicized beef with Eminem — has joined the Reverend Al Sharpton's call for a 90-day radio/TV ban for music artists who engage in violence, according to a magazine spokesperson. "It is inspiring to see that Reverend Al Sharpton is speaking out against the crisis of corporate manipulation of violence in the hip-hop industry, which is benefiting the bottom line of a few major conglomerates," Mays said in a statement. "In no way does The Source support the censorship of hip-hop artists, but we are opposed to artists and their backers that use acts of violence or the incitement of violence over the public airwaves to promote record sales." ... Meanwhile, the magazine is going through quite a shake-up. The Source just bounced the editor in chief and the managing editor, while the music editor and other staffers have also recently been let go. Joshua "Fahiym" Ratcliffe has since been named the new editor in chief, after having served as the mag's deputy editor, while the search for a managing editor continues. ...

On April 26, the Eels will release Blinking Lights and Other Revelations, a two-disc album about "God and all the questions related to the subject of God," according to a posting on the band's Web site by frontman Mark Oliver Everett, a.k.a. E. "It's also about hanging on to my remaining shreds of sanity and the blue sky that comes the day after a terrible storm ... and it's a love letter to life itself, in all its beautiful, horrible glory." ... Bust out your best broken robot dance. Autechre will release their eighth album, Untitled, on April 19. The electronic duo will embark on a 20-date U.S. tour in support of their follow-up to 2003's Draft 7.30 on May 6 in Washington, D.C.; the trek will wrap May 28 in Asheville, North Carolina. ...

03.16.2005

Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz and Jamie Lynn Spears are just a few of the celebs who will hit the stage for Nickelodeon's 18th annual Kids' Choice Awards, airing April 2 at 8 p.m. ET. Ben Stiller is set to host. Will Smith will perform "Switch," the first time in three years he'll get on the mic to perform live, and Simple Plan will treat the crowd to a rendition of their song "Shut Up." The event will conclude with some good old-fashioned celebrity sliming. ...

Rapper Xzibit was reportedly cited in Guam on Sunday for possession of marijuana, just hours before he was to perform. The "Pimp My Ride" host was apprehended by customs officials at the Guam International Airport and, according to local NBC affiliate KUAM, the rapper admitted to having about two grams of the substance. He's expected to be fined and likely will not face jail time, KUAM reported. "He was very good-natured that morning, even declaring that he had it and he was smoking it," one customs agent said. "He was very relaxed about it." A spokesperson for Xzibit's label was unaware of the arrest, and calls to the rapper's management were not returned by press time. ... A week after Ja Rule pleaded guilty to punching a Canadian man at a bar in June 2003, the man has sued the rapper for $4 million. The civil lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Ontario Superior Court. Rule apologized to the city of Toronto last week but was still slapped with a $1,500 fine. ...

Porn and police were the focus of testimony Wednesday in Michael Jackson's molestation trial. Sergeant Steve Robel told the court that the accuser was specific about two instances of molestation, but believed it happened five to seven times, and that the accuser was slow to open up to the police in the first place. Detective Paul Zelis testified about material found in a November 2003 search of Neverland, such as the contents of Jackson's nightstand, which contained pornographic magazines and a picture of the accuser and his siblings. Under cross-examination, Zelis revealed that the magazines were not dusted for fingerprints before the accuser handled the material before a grand jury. Meanwhile, a hearing will be held as soon as next week to determine if boy who accused Jackson of molestation in 1993 will be testifying in this case. ...

Snow Patrol bassist Mark McClelland has left the group, according to a note posted by singer Gary Lightbody on the band's Web site. "Over the last 18 months, touring has taken its toll on the rest of the band's relationship with him," Lightbody wrote. The group is currently in rural Ireland writing and demoing songs for its follow-up to last year's Final Straw. On April 23, Snow Patrol will head back to the U.S. for a 24-date trek that begins in the Woodlands, Texas, and finishes up on June 1 in New Orleans. ... A fight broke out onstage during a Tuesday night performance by former Stone Roses singer Ian Brown at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Four songs into the show, a fan jumped onstage and attacked Brown, according to the venue's publicist. A staff security guard who tried to intervene was then dragged into the melee, which caused a 15-minute break in the show. Brown finished the gig and was later taken in for questioning by police and released without being charged. The venue spokesperson said the security guard, who went to the hospital for treatment, is expected to press charges. ...

The first band signed to Slipknot drummer Shawn Crahan's (#6) new label, Big Orange Clown Records, is the New York metal act Gizmachi. The band — which has opened some shows on Slipknot's current tour — will release its debut, The Imbuing, on May 3; it was produced by Crahan, who also directed the first video, "The Answer." ... According to Ireland's Examiner newspaper, the surviving members of Queen — who're in the midst of preparing for a U.S. tour — had invited British pop star Robbie Williams to join the band for its upcoming trek, but then thought better of it. Drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Brian May said Williams expressed an interest in the gig after recording a version of "We Are the Champions" for the 2001 film "A Knight's Tale"; he deemed touring with Queen an ideal way of breaking through to American audiences. "It did seem like a good idea," Taylor told the paper. "And then I think we all sort of drew back a little, thought about it a little harder, and then thought, 'Maybe not.' " Former Free and Bad Company vocalist Paul Rodgers ultimately landed the job. ...

B.B. King will headline the first-ever gala event for the Eye Birth Defects Research Foundation, being held in tribute to the late Ray Charles, who was a foundation board member for 10 years. The gala dinner will be held on May 12 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. ... Nellie McKay has been cast as Polly Peachum in the latest Broadway staging of "The Threepenny Opera." Alan Cumming and Edie Falco are also starring in the production, scheduled to begin in the spring of 2006. In other McKay news, her Short List-nominated debut, Get Away From Me, is being re-released on March 29 in DualDisc format, meaning fans can flip it over to watch a DVD of a concert last fall in San Francisco. The music side will include two previously unreleased tracks, "John-John" and "Theresa." ...

Techno duo the Crystal Method have a lot on their plate at the moment: they're dropping a new mix album, kicking off a national DJ tour and hosting a weekly radio show. The LP Community Service II, containing remixes of tracks by the Doors, Smashing Pumpkins, Elite Force and many other artists, will hit stores on April 5. In support of their album, the pair will begin touring on Sunday in Honolulu and will wrap things up at the end of May. Throughout the trek, Crystal Method will continue to host the weekly electronic radio show "Community Service," which airs every Friday night on Los Angeles' Indie 103.1 FM. ... The Fiery Furnaces are eyeing a summer release for their next project — a double album. The follow-up to the recently released EP, the tentatively titled Garfield L and Singing to Speak Chinese will act as two albums in one release, à la Outkast's Speakerboxxx /The Love Below. A 14-date tour will kick off April 6 in Cleveland and end in San Francisco on April 29. ... DJ Mixmaster Spade, a legend in the West Coast hip-hop scene, died Wednesday in California, according to sources close to the performer. The spinner was critically injured in a motorcycle accident several days ago. ...

• Young Buck
• Diddy
• Jay-Z
• Diana DeGarmo

Lindsay Lohan (file)
Photo: Frazer Harrison

In the cutthroat world of pop-culture stardom, it's not enough to just be an actress/socialite, which is why Lindsay Lohan is tacking the "pop star" label onto her title.

After contributing two songs to the soundtrack of her movie "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen," Lohan felt it was time to put out an album of her own. Her debut effort is Speak, a purebred pop project imbued with sexual overtones and jaded views of the media, most apparent in her single "Rumors," which focuses on the tabloid attention she has received in the last year.

Ludacris is releasing his new album, The Red Light District. The follow-up to 2003's Chicken-N-Beer finds Luda teaming up with artists including Nas and Doug E. Fresh, and spitting out "Austin Powers" references.

Still, the award for most bizarre reference in this week's batch of new releases goes to Cam'ron, who includes his own version of Cyndi Lauper's girl-pop classic "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" on Purple Haze, titling it simply "Girls." On slightly more hard-edged tracks, Cam'ron collaborates with Diplomats members Jim Jones, JR Writer and Freaky Zeeky, as well as Twista and Jaheim.

Also out this week are albums by Mario (Turning Point) and "American Idol" 2004 runner-up Diana DeGarmo (Blue Skies). The soundtrack to the video game "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" is also hitting stores, featuring tracks by such artists as Rage Against the Machine, Cypress Hill, James Brown and Rick James.

Out Tuesday, December 7:

• Bankie Banx - Amazing Grace (Thump)
• Cam'ron - Purple Haze (Roc-A-Fella/ Def Jam)
  Buy Now: Purple Haze (Roc-A-Fella/ Def Jam)
• Eric Clapton - Sessions for Robert J (Duck/ Reprise)
• Diana DeGarmo - Blue Skies (RCA)
• DJ Lady Tribe - Cholo Super Mix (w/bonus DVD) (Thump)
• Hoodoo Gurus - Mach Schau (Evangeline)
• John Lennon - Mind Games (Mobile Fidelity Koch)
• Lindsay Lohan - Speak (Casablanca)
  Buy Now: Speak (Casablanca)
• Ludacris - The Red Light District (Def Jam)
  Read: "Ludacris LP Salutes Austin Powers, Takes Aim At Bill O'Reilly"
  Buy Now: The Red Light District (Def Jam)
• Mario - Turning Point (J)
  Buy Now: Turning Point (J)
• Poco - Last Roundup (Future Edge)
• Bobby Seals - Daddy's Home (Del-Fi/ Keane)
• Yung Wun - The Dirtiest, The Thirstiest (J)
• Sean Callery - Soundtrack to "24" (Varese Sarabande)
• Angelo Badalamenti - Soundtrack to "A Very Long Engagement" (Nonesuch)
• Jeff Beal - Soundtrack to "Carnivale" (Varese Sarabande)
• Jeff Rona - Soundtrack to "Earthsea"(Varese Sarabande)
• Marco Beltrani - Soundtrack to "Flight of the Phoenix" (Varese Sarabande)
• Various artists - Soundtrack to "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" (Interscope)
• Harry Gregson-Williams - Soundtrack to "Shrek 2" (DreamWorks)
• DVD: Eminem - "Eminem AKA" (Xenon)
• DVD: Wyclef Jean - "The All-Star Jam" (Eagle Vision)
• DVD: Rod Stewart - "Live at the Royal Albert Hall" (J)
• DVD: Westlife - "Unbreakable: The Greatest Hits" (RCA)
• DVD: White Stripes - "Under Blackpool Lights" (Third Man/V2)

December 14:

• Ashanti - Concrete Rose (Def Jam)
  Buy Now: Concrete Rose (Def Jam)
• Tupac Shakur - Loyal to the Game (Interscope)
  Read: "Eminem Signs On For Another 'New' Tupac Album"
  Buy Now: Loyal to the Game (Interscope)
• Xzibit - Weapons of Mass Destruction (Sony)
  Read: "Xzibit Joins The Anti-Bush Fray With New LP, Compares Iraq To Detroit"
  Buy Now: Weapons of Mass Destruction (Sony)

December 21:

• Mannie Fresh - Mind of Mannie Fresh (Cash Money)

December 28:

• John Legend - Get Lifted (Sony)

• Lindsay Lohan
• Ludacris
• Cam'ron
• Diana DeGarmo
• Mario

50 Cent (file)
Photo: Greg Delman

50 Cent is adding two new kicks to his successful line of Reebok sneakers. The G-Unit G6 II is inspired by tennis shoes of the '80s, while the B1 Boot recalls the days of parkas and Timberlands. The shoes hit stores this month. ...

Usher and Paris Hilton are among Barbara Walters' picks for her "10 Most Fascinating People of 2004." The hour-long special, which also highlights Oprah Winfrey, Donald Trump, Michael Moore and Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, airs Wednesday at 9 p.m. Meanwhile, Hilton is looking to make herself even more fascinating in 2005 by finishing up her debut album, now due out this spring. "I'm in the studio every day now," she said. One of her recent accomplishments was recording covers of Blondie's "Heart of Glass" and David Bowie's "Fame." "They're really hot tracks," she said. ... Irv Gotti is planning to make "Wonderful" a little bit more magnificent with a new remix. The current incarnation of the song features Ja Rule and R. Kelly going back and forth with Ashanti chipping in with limited vocals. Gotti's princess gets more shine on the remix with an additional verse. The track should be dropping any day now. ...

Gwen Stefani must be feeling better. After canceling a few promo appearances the week of her debut album's release, she popped up as the surprise guest at KIIS-FM's annual Jingle Ball Friday in her hometown of Anaheim, California, to sing a few songs. Stefani's set included "What You Waiting For?," "Rich Girl" (her next single) and "Hollaback Girl." ... Stefani's No Doubt bandmate Adrian Young, meanwhile, is moonlighting once again. He'll be playing drums for the New York area shows for the band Oslo, who will release their self-titled debut in March. Young's gigs with the band are December 13 in Brooklyn, December 14 in Manhattan and December 15 in Hoboken, New Jersey, opening for Unwritten Law. ...

Diana DeGarmo's new single, "Emotional," hit the airwaves on Monday (December 6). The 17-year-old "American Idol" runner-up worked with producers John Shanks, David Foster and Desmond Child, as well as songwriters Kara DioGuardi and Andreas Carlsson (much of the same team that worked on Ashlee Simpson, Kelly Clarkson and Lindsay Lohan's albums) on her debut LP, Blue Skies, due Tuesday. ... Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Kelly Osbourne, Nicole Richie and Nicolette Sheridan were among those who caught LL Cool J's set at the sixth annual Motorola Hollywood holiday party benefiting Toys for Tots. Lance Bass, Rachel Hunter, Shane West, Shannon Elizabeth and Danny Masterson also attended the event Thursday at the Henry Fonda Music Box Theatre. ...

After her newborn twins made headlines last week, Julia Roberts' 13-year-old niece is primed for her time in the spotlight. Emma Roberts, daughter of actor Eric Roberts and the star of Nickelodeon's "Unfabulous," is signed to Sony and is currently recording her debut album. ... What do reality television stars do when their 15 minutes of fame are up? Record an album! Christmas in the Fishbowl features 13 tracks by 10 reality TV stars including Nikki McKibbin from the first season of "American Idol," Jenna Lewis from the first season of "Survivor" and Alton Williams from "The Real World: Las Vegas," singing holiday classics such as "Silent Night" and "Deck the Halls" as well as original compositions like "12 Minutes of Fame." The album is available exclusively at www.thefishbowl.com and a portion of the proceeds will benefit "Survivor" cast member Rupert Boneham's charity "Rupert's Kids." ...

Apparently there's a Nirvana fan out there with some deep pockets and an even deeper love of philanthropy. An unidentified bidder shelled out $7,300 for a private plane ride and lunch with former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic. The auction benefited People for the American Way, a nonprofit political organization dedicated to voter registration and awareness and defending constitutional liberties. Novoselic, who has his own Cessna Skylane jet, will pick up the winning bidder and fly them to the restaurant of his/her choice. ... Bruce Springsteen is hoping to give something back to the city that raised him by performing at the tiny venue Harry's Roadhouse in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and will hold a contest to give 10 fans the opportunity to win a free pair of tickets to the show and meet him. The catch? You have to visit a participating store in Asbury Park by December 18 to enter. Visit www.asburyguild.com for a list of stores and contest rules. The drawing will take place at 5 p.m. on December 18 and you must be 21 or over to enter. ...

Madonna will be the new face of Versace. Donatella Versace told Italian TV news that the singer shot print ads with Mario Testino in London last week for Versace's upcoming spring/summer 2005 fashion line because "she's a big star who knows how to reinvent herself every time and is more and more charming and more and more feminine ... and she never gives up." Madonna reportedly received $10.5 million for the gig. ... Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell is taking a small break from his boy band to do a song for a Christian compilation CD due out early next year. He's planning to release a full Christian album next fall. ...

Jimmy Eat World have added a few dates to their tour in support of their latest album, Futures. The new run starts January 7 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and continues through January 15 in Austin, Texas. ... The first batch of dates for the Epitaph Tour have been announced. The trek, featuring the punk label's recent signings like From First to Last, Matchbook Romance and Motion City Soundtrack, kicks off February 3 in DeKalb, Illinois, and runs until March 3 in Washington, D.C. ...

Producer Bryan Cox celebrated his birthday in Houston over the weekend at two clubs. The first spot was Hush, then it was off to Visions, where Slim Thug, Mannie Fresh and NBA star Dikembe Mutombo all came out. ... Fans of psychedelic Welsh rockers Super Furry Animals have reason to rejoice. Frontman Gruff Rhys is planning to release his first solo album on March 8. Yr Atal Genhedlaeth (which, roughly translated from Rhys' native Welsh, means "The Stuttering Generation") was recorded between the summers of 2003 and 2004 by longtime Furry producer Gorwel Owen. ...

12.3.2004

Joss Stone and the Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am and Fergie will join the throngs of media outlets on hand Tuesday in Hollywood for the announcement of the nominees for the 47th annual Grammy Awards. The artists are the latest additions to the crop of celebrities that will rattle off the list of hopefuls for music's highest honor. The awards ceremony is set for February 13 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. ...

Living your life on camera must be addictive — "Newlyweds" star Nick Lachey is branching out with his own reality show on MTV. The program, which was just greenlit, has the working title of "The Nick Lachey Project" and captures the singer as he works to rebuild his solo career, from constructing a studio inside his home to hiring producers and writers to searching for a new record deal to recording and finally working with the label to get his second solo CD in stores. Meanwhile, Lachey can be seen on the third season of "Newlyweds," which returns in January. ... New Era has started lining up celebrity designers for its 2005 59Fifty "Capture the Flag" hat series. Fat Joe and G-Unit's Game have been tapped to design their own limited-edition baseball caps, with profits from each going to a charity of their choice. Fat Joe's cap will hit stores on January 27, with Game's following on February 24. ...

Evanescence and country singer Keith Urban have been added to the lineup of performers for the Billboard Music Awards on December 8. Urban will be joined during his performance by Sheryl Crow. Britney Spears is slated to make a special appearance at the awards show. ... Spears turned 23 on Thursday, and instead of throwing a big shindig, the singer celebrated with a quiet night at home with husband Kevin Federline, according to a source close to the singer. ... Ashlee Simpson, Black Eyed Peas, Train and Chaka Khan are among the artists lined up for a CBS special called "A Home for the Holidays," a special about the joys of adoption. Rod Stewart will duet with Jamie Foxx on one song during the one-hour broadcast, which airs December 22 at 8 p.m. ET. ...

Nelly is slated to guest star on "MADtv" later this month. The rapper's episode, which will have a holiday theme, will air December 18 at 11 p.m. ET. ... The Pixies have announced an additional stop on their reunion tour: December 9 at the Avalon in Boston. Even with the numerous shows on their current trek, the Pixies hadn't scheduled any dates in their onetime hometown, where the quartet first formed 17 years ago. Tickets go on sale Saturday at noon. The Pixies' tour wraps on December 18 in New York. ... The second album by rock duo the Kills, No Wow, is slated for a March 8 release. A full tour to support the follow-up to 2003's Keep on Your Mean Side is scheduled for March. ...

• 50 Cent
• Ashanti
• Gwen Stefani
• Diana DeGarmo
• Nikki McKibbin

Singer Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, who was denied entry into the United States on Wednesday because his name was found on a watch list, told a group of reporters at London's Heathrow Airport on Thursday (September 23) that his placement on Washington's no-fly list was ridiculous. "Everybody knows my campaigning for charity, for peace," he said. "There's got to be a whole lot of explanation." Homeland Security spokesperson Brian Doyle said that the intelligence community has heightened security concerns with regard to the singer and that "Yusuf Islam has been placed on the watch lists because of activities that could potentially be related to terrorism," according to The Associated Press. Islam says he will challenge the U.S. decision to block him from entering the country. ...

Dave Grohl, Keanu Reeves, Andy Richter, Jason Biggs and David Cross were among the celebrities who caught the first of two Pixies shows at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles Wednesday night. Minus "Here Comes Your Man," the 90-minute show featured all of the Pixies' hits, including both versions of "Wave of Mutilation." Josh Homme, whose girlfriend, Brody Dalle, opened the show with her band the Distillers, was also in attendance. ... Want to do lunch with "American Idol" runner-up Diana DeGarmo? eBay is hosting an auction for the Partnership Against Child Abuse, a program of the Children's Advocacy Center. Fans can bid on a lunch with the singer to take place in either Los Angeles or New York. DeGarmo will schedule the date with the winner within one year. The bidding ends on Friday. ...

Chingy has parted ways with the Disturbing Tha Peace clique, according to sources. The split is said to be amicable. The St. Louis rapper, who first hit the scene in 2003 as a member of the Ludacris-fronted crew, will now be managed by Marquis "The Coach" Smith and Kenneth Crear for Wright Crear Management. Chingy is still set to release Powerballin', his sophomore set, on November 16. ... Foxy Brown recently pressed charges against a New York woman over an altercation at a New York nightclub. Tanya Manderson was charged with second-degree robbery, grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. According to reports, Manderson stole Brown's earrings and her Louis Vuitton handbag while they were both in the bathroom at New York's Club Show. While Brown's spokesperson has no comment regarding the case, Manderson has issued a statement of her own: "I was having a nice evening out following a fashion show. I then had my night, and now my reputation, trampled by a celebrity." Manderson and her representatives are also asking anyone who witnessed the events in question to come forward. ...

Civil-rights icon Rosa Parks may not be able to testify in her case against Arista Records. According to reports, the 91-year-old Parks is suffering from dementia and is said to be in frail health. Parks originally sued Outkast and the label in 1999 over the use of her name in the rap duo's single "Rosa Parks." Parks and her attorneys believe that the song was exploitative and a violation of her trademark rights. Outkast have since been dismissed as defendants. ... Usher, Brad Pitt, Mary J. Blige, Nicky Hilton, Queen Latifah, Simple Plan and several MTV VJs (including Damien Fahey, Hilarie Burton, Vanessa Minnillo and La La) are donating their signed (and presumably unworn) underwear from the men's brand 2xist to charity (see photos). The auction ends Wednesday on www.ubid.com. Organizers expect to raise $10,000 for prostate-cancer prevention. ...

Now we know why it was only an "indefinite hiatus." Six years after releasing their last album, Wide Swing Tremolo, Jay Farrar and his band Son Volt are reconvening at the end of the month to work on their fourth album at Farrar's St. Louis studio. The alt-country outfit, which formed when genre pioneers Uncle Tupelo fractured into Wilco and Son Volt, last got together to record "Sometimes" for an Alejandro Escovedo tribute album earlier this year. ... Following a car accident, Mark Lanegan was forced to cancel a handful of East Coast tour dates on doctor's orders. The string of shows, in support of his new album, Bubblegum, was to begin Tuesday in Chicago and run through October 5 in New York. The West Coast leg that starts October 10 in San Diego should not be affected, since he was not seriously injured. ...

The only way to keep the Prince of F---ing Darkness from dropping the F-bomb excessively is to make him abstain from obscenities for a good cause. In a British TV spot scheduled to air in November, Sharon Osbourne promises that Ozzy will not curse for 24 hours if enough pledges are made to the charity Children in Need. ... The late Elliott Smith's 1999 performance at Olympia, Washington's YoYo a GoGo festival will be released on DVD November 30. "Elliott Smith: Olympia, Washington" features Smith's entire 40-minute solo performance. Smith's final album, From a Basement on the Hill, will be released on October 19. ...

Actor Robert Downey Jr. has signed with Sony Classical and will release his debut album on November 23. The still-untitled record features eight songs written by Downey, on which he sings and plays piano. Two cover songs fill out the rest of the LP: a Charlie Chaplin song called "Smile" and Yes' "Your Move." ... Although a release date has not been set, the next live Dave Matthews Band album will be culled from their December 8, 1998, show in Worcester, Massachusetts. Albums in the next live series will be available as either two-disc sets or digital downloads. ...

Congratulations to Fat Mike: The NOFX and Fat Wreck Chords honcho and his wife recently gave birth to a baby girl named Darla. The name is a cross between the names of late Germs frontman Darby Crash and Mike's grandma Lila. ... Madonna's turned her concept for the children's book "The English Roses" into a full franchise for girls — with clothing, raincoats, tea sets and jewelry among the range of products aimed at 7- to 12-year-olds. "I'm excited about the opportunity to develop a range of beautiful products that will complement the book and continue to spread its positive messages to children," Madonna said in a statement. ...

Nellie McKay's father is outing his daughter — he's been telling the media that his daughter is not the child prodigy she claims to be. Though the singer/songwriter has claimed to be only 19 years old, her father, Malcolm McKay, says that she was actually born on April 13, 1982, which would make her 22. Nellie has told interviewers that she and her father are estranged. ... Liars have pulled out of their fall tour with Blonde Redhead for unspecified reasons, according to their spokesperson. Blonde Redhead will now headline with a different band opening. ...

09.22.04

Christina Aguilera, P. Diddy and Drew Barrymore have already been campaigning on their own to get people to become more aware of the political process and vote in the upcoming presidential election — Aguilera with Choose or Lose and Declare Yourself, P. Diddy with Vote or Die, and Barrymore with her documentary "The Best Place to Start." Now Oprah is uniting the three with a voting party that she's hosting on her show with their help. The program, aimed at encouraging voter registration, is scheduled to air Tuesday. ...

JoJo took a turn as J-14 magazine's editor in chief for a day last week. The teen pop singer ran an editorial meeting, helped pick the 14 hottest stars for the December issue cover story, chose jackets for the fashion section, answered reader mail and did a photo shoot for the January issue. The December issue of J-14 will hit newsstands November 1. ...

	Click for photos of JoJo's day as editor of J-14

In an affront to eardrums everywhere, New Found Glory bassist Ian Grushka has posted his cover of Journey's "Faithfully" on the band's Web site. The warbling Grushka is accompanied by Reggie and the Full Effect keyboardist James DeWees. Fans can hope Grushka won't be serenading them at one of four new dates announced on the NFG/ Green Day tour: The trek will now make stops on October 24 in Louisville, Kentucky; November 8 in Chicago; November 10 in Minneapolis; and November 13 in Salt Lake City. ...

Nas was scheduled to be in court Tuesday in New York to face charges of second-degree assault, but the case was adjourned until November 18. No explanation was given by the district attorney's office. The case stems from an incident in December in which the rapper allegedly threw a bottle at a man in a New York nightclub. ... Michael Jackson's defense team is refuting news reports that photographs of nude boys were found during a search of his Neverland Ranch. "That information is false," attorney Thomas Mesereau said in a statement. "The prosecution has confirmed that it is false." Los Angeles radio station KFI-AM originated the report but is standing by its story, which cited unnamed sources as saying that a half-dozen photos were seized. ...

"Frontin' on Debra (DJ Reset Mash-Up)" will be the first cross-bred song, or mash-up, to get a commercial release when the Beck/ Pharrell Williams/ Jay-Z creation appears on iTunes in October. The tune was created by a New York DJ who blended the Neptunes and Jay-Z's "Frontin' " with Beck's Midnite Vultures song "Debra." ... Beyoncé is joining the Texas Music Project — along with Clint Black, Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt — to strengthen music education in schools. The charity hopes to distribute $200,000 to Texas schools in 2004, thanks to the sales of its CD series, Don't Mess With Texas Music. Beyoncé is contributing "Dangerously in Love" to the second volume to help the nonprofit organization give grants to schools. ...

They Might Be Giants are working with Disney to produce "Here Come the ABCs," an animated DVD that teaches kids about the alphabet. In 2002, TMBG released No!, an album of kid-themed songs. The band also plans to release a storybook-and-CD package through publisher Simon & Schuster. ... Synthy dance-punkers Le Tigre will attempt to find solace on their third record, This Island, due October 19. The 13-track disc was produced by Nick Sansano (Sonic Youth, Public Enemy), while the Cars' Ric Ocasek handled production duties on the track "Tell You Now." ...

Just more than three years after he passed away, a DVD celebrating George Harrison's solo career will be released. "The Dark Horse Years 1979-1992" will include footage of the former Beatles guitarist talking about his solo career and the formation of Dark Horse Records; seven music videos featuring segments of Harrison discussing each track, including "Got My Mind Set on You - Version 1" and "This Is Love"; four songs recorded live in Japan from Harrison's 1991 tour with Eric Clapton; and three segments of Harrison's performance in "Shanghai Surprise." The DVD will be released on November 2. ... Pete Townshend is about to bring the daily doings of the Who to TV, or more specifically, Web TV. The Who guitarist is planning on launching Who TV on his site (www.petetownshend.com). The streaming video channel is expected to show band rehearsals, live shows and special pay-per-view events. ...

Legendary producer Phil Spector has been ordered to appear in court on Monday for what his lawyer thinks will be an indictment by a secret grand jury for the 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson. "Nobody said to me, 'Your client has been indicted,' but as a former deputy district attorney and a lawyer for 34 years, I can't imagine any other reason to be there Monday morning with Phil," attorney Roger Rosen told Reuters. A grand jury indictment, which was also used against Michael Jackson but is otherwise rare, is a way for prosecutors to avoid pretrial hearings, which are held to determine if a case is strong enough to go to trial. "Phil is very disappointed," Rosen said. "He felt strongly that there was a very significant possibility that this case would be thrown out at the prelim." ...

• Cat Stevens (Yusuf)
• The Pixies
• Diana DeGarmo
• Chingy
• Usher

Diana DeGarmo (file)
Photo: MTV News

Fans following the American Idols Live Tour might have noticed a change in the wardrobe of one of the singers.

"I'm wearing tennis shoes," Diana DeGarmo revealed recently. "With all the stairs, sorry, I'm not taking any more chances with the high heels."

It was on those stairs where DeGarmo slipped and fell on July 27, bashing her shins and tearing a ligament in her foot (see " 'Idol' Runner-Up DeGarmo Injured After Falling During Tour").

"Everything's healing well, everything's in the spot it's supposed to be, which is good," DeGarmo said.

Although doctors advised against it, DeGarmo performed one song the night after the fall. "I decided to do it because these people came to see all of us, not just nine, so I decided to make that last effort to be the 10th person onstage no matter what," the singer explained. "It was very frustrating sitting backstage going, 'I want to do that dance! I want to be up there!' But now I'm back in the full swing of things and everything's rollin' fine."

Thing are rolling for DeGarmo offstage as well. On off-nights of the tour, she's been flying to New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta to record songs for her debut album. So far, she's worked with producer/songwriters Andreas Carlsson (Britney Spears, Clay Aiken), John Shanks (Hilary Duff, Michelle Branch) and David Foster, whose credits include Whitney Houston's rendition of "I Will Always Love You" and Toni Braxton's "Un-break My Heart."

"[Our collaboration] is one of the first songs he's written in years, so I'm proud to say that it's mine," DeGarmo said of Foster.

Like her own music collection, DeGarmo's album will be quite diverse. "I love all genres of music," she said. "I think it helps you become a better performer if you know the different types of music. [On my album] you got the few Celine Dion kind of songs, big-money-note songs, but we also have songs that I want to put on the radio for people my age to listen to, something that if I were in the car, I'd be like, 'All right!' "

DeGarmo has come up with a name for that particular style — rop.

"I know this sounds completely nuts, but it's like pop with a little bit of R&B, it's R-O-P, rop," she said.

The 17-year-old "Idol" runner-up, who has included a version of Melissa Manchester's "Don't Cry Out Loud" on her "Dreams" single (see "Fantasia Beats Diana DeGarmo Again — This Time In Stores"), is not expecting to record any covers for her album.

"With the show, we do so many cover songs, I don't want people to think that I'm just doing an 'American Idol' album," she said. "I'm really trying to find some really new cool songs from different people, no matter who you are, and just find something that's fresh."

As of last week, DeGarmo is balancing recording and touring with another major project — senior year.

"I have a tutor that will keep me up-to-date in my classes until I go back in October, after the tour's over," she said. "I would love to go to college, because you never know what is going to happen with your career and you always want something to fall back on."

When DeGarmo does make it to college, she plans to study business. She is particularly interested in the music industry, although she also hopes to get into fashion some day.

"Whether I come with my own shoe line or cosmetics, I think that would be so much fun," she said. "I'm so girly that I love it all. Maybe I could do the whole J. Lo thing with all the different lines."

DeGarmo is also inspired by how Jennifer Lopez has become a music and movie star. "I'm definitely interested in acting," she said. "I've done it in my past. I know I can do it, let's put it that way. And it's so much fun."

• Diana DeGarmo

Diana DeGarmo (file)
Photo: RCA

Diana DeGarmo is recovering from severe bruising after falling down a flight of stairs during Tuesday's American Idols Live Tour stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The "American Idol" runner-up was taken by medics to a hospital, where X-rays confirmed she had not broken any bones. Doctors advised the singer not to perform Wednesday (August 28) in Detroit, but she has decided to sing her solo, "Dreams," which requires little choreography.

DeGarmo was performing Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" with the other women on the tour when she stumbled. Despite the fall, DeGarmo finished the song and left the stage on her own. La Toya London dedicated the next song to the singer and the show continued without her.

	"Fantasia Beats Diana DeGarmo Again — This Time In Stores" Related Artists Diana DeGarmo ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1489780/20040728/degarmo_diana.jhtml News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1489780/20040728/degarmo_diana.jhtml 28 Jul 2004 06:39:00 EDT MTV.com Exclusive: Diana DeGarmo Photos 12.08.2004 Related Artists Diana DeGarmo ]]> Photos http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1496539 http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1496539 3 Feb 2005 12:00:00 EST