• 'American Idol' Season 14 Recap & Review: 5 of the Best Solo Performances from Hollywood

    "It's A-Game or Plan-B." That was the introductory message for tonight's (Feb. 12) episode. The group performances were over and contestants had to face Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban solo. This time, they were accompanied by a house band, making song choice all the more important. Some rose to the challenge. Others weren't so lucky.

  • 'American Idol' Season 14 Recap & Review

    Hollywood week, as Ryan Seacrest noted at the start of the episode, is an "emotional roller coaster." American Idol judges Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban now expect everyone's best, even if that means performances that aren't technically perfect. We moved through the final solo performances into the much more exciting group displays. Contestants were forced to work out a song with others and stand out while putting together a cohesive performance. Sounds easy enough, right?

  • 'American Idol' Season 14 Recap & Review: Hollywood

    Hollywood week is here, and we're stoked about it. We know you are too. "You have to figure out how to stand out to survive," Keith Urban said following advice by Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. Some singers were able to distinguish themselves right from the start, while others let the nerves take hold. One missed opportunity in Hollywood could mean the end of the line though.

  • 'American Idol' Season 14 Recap & Review: Final Audition Show May Have Been the Best

    Well, we made it. The second part of the San Francisco saga was billed as having "the best for last." And American Idol wasn't joking. Jennfier Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. were handing out golden tickets a lot. It was a nice end to what we'll call a solid audition run. San Francisco certainly tied, if not exceeded, New York's talent pool.

  • 'American Idol' Season 14 Recap & Review: San Francisco Shows Off Some Fun Personalities

    American Idol bounced back last Thursday (Jan. 22) in New Orleans, Harry Connick Jr.'s hometown, after a lackluster episode in Minneapolis. For the final audition week, Ryan Seacrest, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Connick sorted through talent in San Francisco. The City by the Bay's first episode was decent (still better than Minneapolis), but Idol probably saved the best auditions for tomorrow (Jan. 29). The talent and the singing styles were varied, which added to the episode's success.

  • 'American Idol' Season 14 Recap & Review: 5 Best Auditions from Jennifer Lopez's Hometown and Adam Lambert's Return

    The gang headed to Jennifer Lopez's native New York City for the fourth auditions episode of American Idol Season 14. Jenny from the Block ...As an added bonus, former runner-up and current Queen frontman Adam Lambert stopped by to fill in for Keith Urban, effectively putting the country star's bromance with Harry Connick Jr. on hiatus (Urban was thankfully on tour during the shooting).

  • 'American Idol' Season 14 Recap & Review: Series Looks to Bounce Back from Last Week's Low Ratings

    Last week's American Idol premiere was an all-time low for the series. The first audition episode, held in Nashville, scored 11.2 million viewers with a 3.2 rating percent ratings in 18-49 demographic. In comparison, 15.2 million people watched Season 13's premiere last year, earning the show a 4.7 percent rating. It looks like the safe, family friendly format is slowing killing off the once powerful hit.

  • 'American Idol' Season 14 Recap & Review: 5 More Impressive Auditions from Nashville and Kansas City

    After American Idol's Season 14 opener, judges Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban both shared some words with the press about the talent they've seen so far. The New Orleans jazz artist promised viewers that the judges have seen plenty of contestants capable of attaining superstar status. Urban stressed the importance of finding someone with great singing abilities, studio presence and live skills.

  • Harry Connick Jr. Talks 'American Idol' Season 14 Talent, Randy Jackson's Departure

    The 14th season of "American Idol" kicked off last night, Jan. 7, with the judges searching for singing talent in Keith Urban's favorite town: Nashville. The show will also roll through the Bronx in honor of Jennifer Lopez as well as Harry Connick Jr.'s New Orleans. The latter spoke to "The Hollywood Reporter" recently about the new season's talent and the departure of the show's last original judge, Randy Jackson. "We are trying to find someone who can sell records and become a big superstar," Connick said. "Given the talent we've seen, that isn't going to be an issue. We are going to be OK." Last night's highlights included Riley Bria on an Urban tune, Cameron Bedell sharing some soul on a Ray LaMontangne track and Michael Simeon taking on Sam Smith's hit "Stay With Me." But Connick assured fans there were plenty of other yes votes from the Nashville session, which continues tonight on Fox. "We had a ridiculous amount of talent through the door," he said. "At one point, there were 10 unanimous yeses. That has never happened before. It was really encouraging." Connick also talked about the departure of OG judge Jackson, who moved into a mentor role last season and announced his departure from the show in November. Connick now sits in Jackson's old seat.

  • 'American Idol' Season 14 Recap & Review: 5 Best Auditions from the Show's Nashville Premiere

    American Idol looks much different from what I remember. Full disclosure, I ditched the show after its midway point in Season Seven when David Cook earned the title. The judges - Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban - are prettier than the original three, way less failed auditions air, and Coca Cola bailed on the competition. What remains (and this is what keeps the series on the air) is the allure that in a matter of months a nobody can become a household name and be propelled into the limelight. Oh yeah, and Ryan Seacrest is still here too.
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