NBC Doesn’t Want You To Know That Katharine McPhee Was An Idol

NBC is treating Katharine McPhee‘s Idol days like a Cinderella-esque unwanted stepchild.

The network refuses to acknowledge McPhee former days on American Idol, which has caused them a lot of flack.

On her bio for the Smash site, it doesn’t mention anything before her debut album in 2007, which was released almost immediately after Idol.

NBC even goes as far as “Introducing” her in their ads as if no one has ever heard of her.

Then again, we can’t blame them. They’ve got a pretty penny invested in The Voice.

Why give Fox any free publicity, right?

[Image via WENN.]

American Idol Spoilers: Season 11 Semifinalists Revealed!

American Idol kicked off its Hollywood auditions last night with a couple memorable performances and one painful cliffhanger.

But with these episodes already having been taped, the identities of the season's top 24 have leaked online. Did your favorite make the cut? Read on to learn which 12 women and which 12 men advanced and remember: one of these will be the next American Idol...

FEMALES

1. Elise Testone
2. Haley Johnsen
3. Shannon Magrane
4. Baylie Brown
5. Hallie Day
6. Jessica Sanchez
7. Jen Hirsh
8. Chelsea Sorrell
9. Skylar Laine
10. Erika Van Pelt
11. Brielle Von Hugel
12. Hollie Cavanagh

MALES

1. Eben Franckewitz
2. Reed Grimm
3. Heejun Han 
4. Deandre Brackensick 
5. Aaron Marcellus Sanders
6. Adam Brock
7. Creighton Fraker 
8. Phillip Phillips 
9. Joshua Ledet
10. Jeremy Rosado
11. Colton Dixon 
12. Chase Likens

Symone Black Auditions in Hollywood, Falls Off Stage

Give American Idol credit for airing a legitimate, soap opera-esque cliffhanger last night.

Or lament the show for exploiting what could be a serious injury to a 16-year old girl.

Either way, the competition concluded its first set of Hollywood auditions not with a high note, but with a thud. Literally, as Symone Black was talking to the judges about why she selected "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" when she took a couple uneven steps and then... WHAM! She fell off the stage and crashed to the floor.

Cue the credits and fade to black as producer Nigel Lythgoe called for a medic. Was this great television? Or a pathetic way for a fading series to try and recapture some headlines? Watch and decide for yourself:

Symone Black Auditions, Crashes to the Floor

Shannon Magrane: Fallin to Round Two?

Remember Shannon Magrane? This 16-year old got the attention of American Idol viewers two weeks ago in Savannah - and REALLY got the attention of Steven Tyler, for all the wrong, awkward reasons.

She was back last night, auditioning in Hollywood with a version of "Fallin" and impressing the judges enough to earn a pass on to the next round. Was it well deserved? Watch Magrane do her thing below and try to avoid any sketchy comments about her looks.

Seriously, she's really young, people...

Shannon Magrane in Hollywood

Phillip Phillips, Reed Grimm and Travis Orlando Audition in Hollywood

Phillip Phillips is clearly going to win American Idol. It's unclear why we're even letting season 11 play out.

The singer - who had never landed on a plane until he touched down in Hollywood and who impressed us so much with his initial audition of "Superstition" and "Thriller" - embodies pretty much every recent show champion, from David Cook to Kris Allen to Lee DeWyze to Scotty McCreery.

He once again proved his worth last night, as Idol took to California and Phillips took to the stage along with Reed Grimm and Travis Orlando.

Two of the three advanced to the next round. Who will join Phillip there? Watch and find out:

Phillip Phillips, Reed Grimm and Travis Orlando Group Audition

Phillip Phillips, Reed Grimm and Travis Orlando Audition in Hollywood

Phillip Phillips is clearly going to win American Idol. It's unclear why we're even letting season 11 play out.

The singer - who had never landed on a plane until he touched down in Hollywood and who impressed us so much with his initial audition of "Superstition" and "Thriller" - embodies pretty much every recent show champion, from David Cook to Kris Allen to Lee DeWyze to Scotty McCreery.

He once again proved his worth last night, as Idol took to California and Phillips took to the stage along with Reed Grimm and Travis Orlando.

Two of the three advanced to the next round. Who will join Phillip there? Watch and find out:

Phillip Phillips, Reed Grimm and Travis Orlando Group Audition

American Idol EP Nigel Lythgoe Doesn’t Sweat The Competition Or The Falling Ratings

In fact, he laughs in the face of those other "singing" shows!

This morning, during a press conference call, Nigel Lythgoe held nothing back when talking about the current standing of American Idol and defended it with everything he had in him. When the topic of declining ratings came up, he was quick to point out that the show, now in its 11th season, would always be "compared to itself" and while may not perform like the it did, it's still the "number one show on TV." Personally, he thinks the problem isn't AI, but the over-saturation of the market. He explained:

“We’ve got The Voice and X Factor going now, and we’re all feeding from the same talent pool and of course the same ratings pool…We’d always said we would never two Idols in a single year, and this is why. Now we have X Factor sitting there, and it feels just like Fox is doing two Idols a season. Add to that The Voice and of course there’s going to be viewer fatigue, as much you see when you have too many science fiction dramas or too many hospital dramas on television.”

He makes a valid point. (Read more...)

What Could Have Been! Katharine McPhee Almost Was Cast In The Hangover!

It's always so interesting to hear about this sort of thing!

Katharine McPhee has gone from American Idol to movies like The House Bunny and Shark Night to the lead in Smash, but according to the actress/singer, she was this close to being cast in the breakout comedy The Hangover!

She explains:

"It was between me and the girl who got it for The Hangover [as] the bride. I didn't get it, but I went all the way. I would have loved to play that part. It was so much better than I would have ever thought it could be. It was unbelievably hysterical, and I remember in the theater I was like, 'I wish I had gotten that part!' "

Of course it would have been fun to be involved in that project in any capacity, but we doubt she's too torn up about it!

The brides in those movies always have the least to do! Ha!

But hey!

We think that despite the rejection, you've landed pretty well on your feet, gurl!

Maybe there will be a part for you in the third one!

[Image via WENN.]

The Voice Debuts Big After The Bowl

Eat your heart out American Idol!

Last night X-Tina's The Voice's post-Super Bowl season debut made HUGE ratings!

The ratings weren't just good by NBC standers (two TVs in a bar) -- the season 2 premiere scored the best rating among 18-to-49-year-old demo for a show following the game since 2006.

The reality show attracted approximately 34 million viewers! That's 40% better than last year's airing of Glee on Fox, which pulled in 26.8 million viewers.

No joke, NBC literally hasn't gotten that good of ratings for an entertainment show since the finally of Friends in 2004.

Before we go congratulating Christina and and gang, we have to point out that this year's Super Bowl broke records with 111.3 million viewers -- making it the most-watched event in TV history.

Not a bad opener, if you ask us!

Kelly Clarkson Performs At The Super Bowl! Watch HERE!

Much better than Christina Aguilera last year!

Watch Kelly Clarkson tackle the National Anthem at the Super Bowl on Sunday (above)!