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.

Tonight American Idol did what my husband calls "trimming the fat" (and no he's not referring to anyone's weight). The bottom pair have been hanging on for weeks and it was time for one of them to go.

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.

Whoever thought that the girls were the stronger of the two genders on Season 7 of American Idol only has to look at tonight's bottom three to rethink that assessment. Apparently a second night of singing songs from the all-male Beatles did not bode well for the ladies.

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

American Idol is down to the final cut before the Top 12 and the ladies brought their A game to '80s night in a battle royale for the elusive six spots.

When someone decides to become a contestant on a reality show, does that mean that they give up all rights to their privacy?

We have just one week left before American Idol announces its Top 12. Here is my prediction for the Top 12:
1. Asia'h Epperson
2. Syesha Mercado
3. Kristy Lee Cook
4. Brooke White
5. Carly Smithson
6. Ramiele Malubay
7. Michael Johns

Last week the women on American Idol suffered from illness, but for '70s week they were plagued with bad song choices.

It's Week 1 of American Idol semifinals and the Top 12 ladies are strutting their stuff to songs from the '60s. Did the ladies have what it takes to hold the attention of the judges and America? How did they measure up to the Top 12 guys?

American Idol has promised one of the most talented groups for its Season 7 Top 24. But has Idol found an untapped resource of talent or has this cast had plenty of time to hone their abilities?

In Miami tonight, the American Idol auditions were all about the ladies. In fact, we saw the auditions of seven lucky ladies end with a golden ticket.