This was supposed to be the night for Matt Giraud to shine but he blew it. I am not getting Simon at all. It's like he lost his touch. And Paula's pre-written speeches are beginning to sound really annoying. Please give Paula her medication back!!!

American Idol judge Simon Cowell was recently dumped by longtime girlfriend Terri Seymour. According to the American Idol judge’s publicist, Cowell got the boot about six weeks ago because he wouldn't agree to have children with her.

"In the past Terri has said that she wants kids but that just isn't Simon," Cowell's rep, Max Clifford, told People magazine. Clifford also confirmed that Seymour broke off their relationship by phone reported the magazine.

Kara DioGuardi? Yes, American Idol has a new judge. Not that the three existing judges cost enough airtime as it is, but American Idol has hired a fourth judge for the show's eighth season.

Just who is Kara DioGuardi? She is perhaps the most relevant person sit on the judges table, as she is actively working with artists that people actually listen to today. While Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul have well-respected backgrounds, they are past their prime and may have lost touch with more contemporary audiences. DioGuardi is a songwriter and producer who works with the likes of Christina Aguilera, the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Faith Hill and Gwen Stefani, as well as American Idol alumni Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice and Clay Aiken.

Only 37, Kara DioGuardi will be the youngest of all the judges, who are all past 45. The move can work for the show as the new judge can invigorate the show and shake things up a little, it can also work against it. Does American Idol really need a new judge or should it just get rid of its irrelevant judges? Or are they phasing out the irrelevant judges?

Fantasia Barrino sang "Bore Me" on American Idol, a bold move as she tries to stage her transition from the musical "The Color Purple" and into her sophomore album. While her debut album was moderately successful and her stint on the musical was nothing but phenomenal, this song is a brave move as she prepares to mount her second collection. It's a manic song, and given American Idol's reach, she could have just polarized her audience as "Bore Me", admittedly, is a tough song to appreciate.

The lyrics of "Bore Me" goes:

You come creepin in six in the mornin
Like ain't nobody supposed to know (know)
Say you been workin
But get in bed smellin just like a fresh bar of soap (soap)
Ask you about it just turn your back and get mad and then fall asleep (sleep)
Got a lot on your mind and an argument is the last thing you need

Baby you trippin, it don't get that way
This ain't no movie...or a tyler perry play
If you really wanted to mess around that's all you had to say
It aint gonna be itty bitty silly me so don't waste your energy
Expect me to listen when all i keep hearin is you spittin nothin but game (game)
Expect me to stay when all you can say is one day everything will change
don't wanna leave wanna believe that you won't do me wrong
but you're startin to bore me bore me bore me

I ain't yellin i'm tellin you nothin bout how i heard you gettin down
In the theater with sista girl over on the other side of town
Sin't got no pictures but yall might as well been walkin right into me
Ain't no way in the hell imma let it right but you do it to me

Baby you trippin, it don't get that way
this ain't no movie...or a tyler perry play
if you really wanted to mess around that's all you had to say
It aint gonna be itty bitty silly me so don't waste your energy
Expect me to listen when all i keep hearin is you spittin nothin but game (game)
Expect me to stay when all you can say is one day everything will change
Don't wanna leave wanna believe that you gonna do me wrong
but you're startin to bore me bore me bore me

I'm tellin you that i refuse to let it go down like this
babygirl you musta bumped your head
Every time you go assuming you know you go make a fool out of you
Got them other girls out of my world and you're the only one
Tryna make it clear, hope you feel me my dear

(How you gonna expect me)expect me to listen when all you keep spittin nothin but game (game)
Expect me to stay when all you can say is one day everything will change (Where you been all night? Coming home in the light)
Don't wanna leave wanna believe that you gonna do me wrong
But you're startin to bore me bore me bore me

Expect me to listen when all i keep hearin is you spittin nothin but game (game)
Expect me to stay when all you can say is one day everything will change
Don't wanna leave wanna believe that you gonna do me wrong
But you're startin to bore me bore me bore me

It's hard to imagine that the song has that much lyrics given how manic Fantasia's performance was. But I loved it, for one it pushes R&B to another dimension: an up-tempo song requiring a lot of range and a lot of sass that not a lot of people can do. It can very well be the next angry anthem, only it's in R&B and not in rock as it usually is. But will people buy it?


Judging from Simon Cowell's reaction, it's going to be tough to sell. (Look at that face! A Simon Cowell classic!!!) However, a quick glance at iTunes pegs the song at #31 of top downloads for the day. Clearly, Fantasia Barrino's "Bore Me" has found its audience.

Fantasia Barrino definitely got balls. She does what she wants, and this song doesn't feel like a desperate sell but a statement she can afford to make. Red hair included. Whether you like "Bore Me" or not, you have to admit watching Fantasia sing and groove like that on stage that the song and Fantasia isn't anything but boring.

Simon Cowell is bashing Carly Smithson. I thought she deserved more credit than what she got considering all the other girls performed poorly and got something better out of the American Idol judge.

It's a star-studded night, and the Idols take a backseat to charity. American Idol opens with a show-stopping dance number by former So You Think You Can Dance stars! The American Idol contestants sing the lame “Please Don’t Stop the Music” and thankfully without the contrived dance moves that would put them to shame beside the So You Think You Can Dance routine.

Jimmy Johnson of NASCAR fame takes us to the first commercial break. George Lopez and Kylie Minogue ask for donations in pre-recorded messages and Maria Shriver lectures about volunteerism, surrounded by a horde of volunteers onstage. Ben Stiller gives a funny little comedy clip about plans for making a music album entitled “Ben Stiller whips Whitney’s Ass for Charity.” Ben Stiller is hilarious!

And American Idol has got all demographics covered. Snoop Doggy Dogg!!! Snoop Dawg! On American Idol? Now this is a first. (I wonder when AI would have rap night). Wrestler/entertainer Triple H asks for donations and I felt he was out of his element.

American Idol judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul introduce a clip of themselves visiting an impoverished area near the studios. These two always like to work with each other. I'm amazed at how much Paula can keep up.

James Denton from Desperate Housewives teaches Carrie Underwood how to fix the plumbing to allow Teri Hatcher to walk in to deliver the lines: “If you’re going to steal my man, then I’m going to steal your song!” I swear this is the funniest and most well-written American Idol show ever! Terri Hatcher appears onstage and sings Carrie Underwood's “Before He Cheats.” I thought this was a charity show. Anyway, she’s backed by a band composed of that guy from Heroes, one of the guys from “The Bachelor” on back-up vocals and James Denton.

How I wish they'd let the Idols sing instead.

Mary Murphy, the judge with a funny voice from So You Think You Can Dance, begs for donations and reminds us of why she chose a career related to dancing, that voice of hers is awful. And she wasn't even singing.

Billy Crystal introduces Miley Cyrus and a supposedly witty exchange between them ensues. Miley performs and I can feel Simon Cowell cringing on song selection. Ryan shows off the Top 12 who are taking phone calls for donations (their future right there) and introduces a clip of Bono in Africa.

Fergie performs with John Legend before introducing Heart, the group who sang "Alone", sung twice this season alone. They sing “Barracuda” and it was great! Fergie steals the show and throws in a couple of random one-handed cartwheels.

Peyton and Eli Manning make an appearance. And David Beckham.

More of Bono in Africa and Annie Lennox working with orphaned boys being tested for AIDS. Annie Lennox performs on piano.

Jimmy Kimmel comes out to roast Simon Cowell who laughs along. A tape of Simon’s visit to New York is shown where he visits a mobile medical clinic. He then introduces Carrie Underwood who sings “Praying for Time”.


Gloria Estefan performs “Get On Your Feet”. Sarah Silverman, Forest Whitaker and Reese Witherspoon make appearances. The American Idols go back and they sit around a piano to sing “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent. Clearly, the best group song of the season! And the wisest song selection by American Idol producers in all 7 seasons.

Dane Cook introduces Alicia Keys on her visit to Africa. Miley Cyrus performs. Again. Even if she admitted to not watching American Idol, and they show clips of her and dad Billy Ray visiting Clay County, Kentucky where Billy Ray grew up.

Ryan introduces the Robin Williams who comes out as a Russian Idol who manages to grab Simon’s ass! That made Simon laugh, sincerely this time.

David Spade introduces a film made by Brad Pitt in New Orleans about relief efforts on after hurricane Katrina . Brad Pitt makes an appearance on American Idol, his mic doesn't work and one of the stage managers comes in to remedy the situation saying: “I just wanted a chance to touch him.” Clearly, the funniest moment of the night. They should give this girl a show. Oh, Brad then introduces Daughtry in a film clip of their visit to Uganda.

Mariah Carey sings “Fly Like a Bird” with Randy Jackson on bass. I wonder what Simon has to say about this song. Then again, Mariah is known to make bad songs go to number one.

The American Idol contestants close the show singing “Shout to the Lord.”

Journal Online has posted reports that Pinoy Idol judge Wyngard Tracy is harsher and stricter than American Idol judge Simon Cowell.

Of course there has to be a harsh judge in the mix somewhere. It creates a narrative of resilience among the really determined contestants.

As opposed to the obsessive sugarcoating done by Paula Abdul, I think it is also more responsible to tell contestants whether or not investing their lives into the music business is practical given what they have. We've seen a lot of contestants give it their all only to disappear into obscurity. While we are not one to say as to what and where contestants should direct their aspirations, it wouldn't hurt to pull them down to the ground every so often to give them perspective on what they have done and how good they really are.

Having said that, I hope Wyngard Tracy becomes really strict. But fair.

Poor Ramiele is being singled out for elimination. It's bad enough that she had to sing with the flu, even worse to go in the contest first. She's done good on the first part of the song. It's the latter half that's been her crutch, and like what Simon said, it wasn't as bad as Randy said it was. Article from TMZ:

Influenza is turning out to be a bigger threat to "American Idol" than DUIs, stripper scandals or the massacring of Beatles songs!

Sources tell TMZ since this season's nasty flu has infected contestants, their family members and show staff more than ever, a meeting was called to warn the "Idols" about being aware of who they come in contact with, ways to protect their voices and how to try to avoid catching the virus. Wash your hands, wannabes! We're told that some contestants have really taken it seriously and even be spotted wearing medical masks. The return of SARS!

Last night, the flu may have caused Ramiele's voice to go "bye bye"-- tonight we'll find out if she will!

Hopefully, Simon's instincts are still on-point. If he says that was good enough to carry Ramiele through, then good. Then again, he once called Alaina Whitaker the dark horse on performance night only for her to be eliminated the night after.

Simon Cowell appears on Oprah and offers to pay the mortgage of a family whose daughter is stricken by cancer.