American Idol Season 7 Finalists: Life After IdolSource: USA Today
"Each new season of American Idol threatens to obliterate the momentary triumphs of last year's contestants but Season 7 had more than its share of standouts. USA TODAY checks in on 2008's final 12, including samplings of their post-Idol music."

Welcome to the two-hour Fox promo machine - I mean, the season finale of American Idol. And believe it or not among all the stars, a new star was crowned in what had to be one of the closest finales in seven seasons.

As a relief to much of America (or at least this American), the dreadlocked Jason Castro was finally given the boot as American Idol dwindles its numbers to three.

Tonight the Top 4 had the songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at their fingertips on American Idol. But could the contestants make the best of these great tunes?
Idol Jason Castro: 'Ready to Go Home'Source: EW.com
He made it through Paulagate 2008, but is American Idol's Jason Castro ready to call it quits? EW's Jessica Shaw was on the scene as the Idols rehearsed for Neil Diamond week (read her "Why Song Selection Matters" feature in the issue out Friday) and spoke with Castro on Monday a …

While the fate of one of the Top 5 hung in the balance of this American Idol results show, Ryan felt the need to reassure us that Paula's status as a judge is secure despite her mishap in the bizarre judging format on Tuesday night.

Tonight Neil Diamond offered the Top 5 American Idol contestants variety with songs from some 25 albums to choose from. In fact, the contenders each got to select two Diamond songs, but did they make the right selection?

Popularity won out over talent as the results of the American Idol Top 6 sent the Irish rose Carly Smithson home after Tuesday's solid performance of "Jesus Christ Superstar."

Tonight Andrew Lloyd Webber helped the Top 6 bring Broadway to American Idol. But were the performances music to our ears or a heartbreaking tragedy?

Well the Top 12 have been halved on American Idol and the end is near. But are we any closer to knowing who will be crowned the Season 7 Idol?
I know who tops my list, but the voters seem to have their favorites. And for me the two do not agree.

A diva known for her power ballads mentored the Top 7 on American Idol tonight. What can we expect from Mariah Carey's efforts - second-rate versions of her hits or just karaoke hell?

The American Idol Elite 8 results show started like a second part to Wednesday's "Idol Give Back," but finished with an elimination that left the audience shocked.

Tonight's American Idol was more about preparing the audience for "Idol Gives Back" with each of the Elite 8 singing their favorite inspirational song. But will the performances inspire voters?

Country night on American Idol can be hit or miss. But Dolly Parton seemed to bring out the best in the Top 9 contenders tonight as they do their best to honor her tunes with some justice.

Popularity won out over actual vocal talent and performance skills tonight as American Idol said goodbye to one of the Top 10.

Tonight on American Idol the Top 10 contenders got to choose songs from the year they were born. Besides making me feel old with only one contestant sharing the same birth decade with me, I had to wonder if the contenders could really maximize on the cool theme.

Finally, American Idol announced the Season 7 guest mentors on the Top 11 results show. Expect to see Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Neil Diamond mixing it up with the Top 10 over the next few weeks. No word yet on which show each mentor will appear.

Tonight the Top 11 celebrated The Beatles – again – on American Idol with even more songs from John Lennon and Paul McCartney – and one by George Harrison. But who would stand out this week?

Welcome to the Horton Hears a Who version of American Idol, also known as 55 minutes of fluff for a five-minute decision. And amongst all the brouhaha, we learned the results from the Top 12 performances.

American Idol is down to its Top 12 and the competition just heated up with performances of songs from the John Lennon and Paul McCartney Library. But can the Top 12 handle the pressure?

After three decades of theme weeks and millions of votes, America has pared down the Top 24 to just 12 contenders to vie for the title of American Idol
1. David Cook
2. David Archuleta
3. Jason Castro
4. Brooke White
5. Syesha Mercado
6. David Hernandez

In the last performance for the guys before American Idol releases the Top 12, the men needed to take some chances with their '80s selections to secure their place in the final phase of the competition.

Halfway through the performances of the second week of the American Idol semifinals, I was beginning to wonder if the songs of the '70s were being wasted on the Top 10 men.

The first week of American Idol's Top 24 is underway and the theme is the '60s. But can the Top 12 men take some older songs and make them their own?

I'm fairly new to the American Idol fad, so forgive me if I get a few things wrong. I thought the purpose of American Idol was to find untapped talent. But looking at the line up of the Top 12 men I'm not seeing a lot of freshness.