The Voice's first season just ended, which means now it's time for record deals, tours and contract renewals.

Tags: Adam Levine, American Idol, Andy Richter, Being Human, Ben Lawson, Better with You, Blake Shelton, Cee-Lo, Christina Aguilera, Dien Lachman, Fear Factor, James Tupper, Jennifer Finnigan, Jennifer Lopez, Joe Rogan, randy jackson, revenge, Steven Tyler, The Voice, Wild Card

We admit that we were more than a little skeptical when we heard that Simon was leaving American Idol and that they'd ousted all of the other judges besides the typically useless Randy Jackson. And we were still skeptical after the first couple of audition episodes in which Steven Tyler was just talking crazy and Jennifer Lopez refused to be mean. But since the first Hollywood week, this season has completely turned around, and instead of hoping that it would fade away after this year, we're totally enjoying it. Well, as much as we can enjoy a glorified karaoke competition. Here's why Idol is now better than it's been in ages:

Tags: american idol, jennifer lopez, randy jackson, steve tyler, twop 10

It's finally Friday, and as usual the week has been full of ghastly people behaving terribly on reality shows, so let's do this thing: Five horrible nominees, one trash king crowned at the end. As always, feel free to play along in the comments.

Tags: Alexis Bellino, American Idol, Carson Daly, Khloe & Lamar, Randy Jackson, Sonja Morgan, The Real Housewives of New York, The Real Housewives of Orange County, The Voice

Today's special is TV news, with three side dishes available: new pilots, silly law suits, or one small order of Bikini Boy.

Tags: ABDC, Aziz Ansari, Bikini Boy, Brothers & Sisters, Conan, Jonas Bros., MacGruber, Randy Jackson, Virginia Madsen, Zooey Deschanel

It's early yet, but American Idol is already cleaning house for next season. Not all of it is official, but most of the news seems pretty definite, at least for the time being. Ellen's out (that's been confirmed). Kara's probably out, and being replaced by J.Lo. Randy, easily the most universally hated judge in the show's history, is reportedly staying, for reasons I cannot for the life of me discern. Seacrest isn't going anywhere, of course, and then there's the most baffling of all the news: Steven Tyler may replace Simon. Well, that should be terrifying.

Tags: American Idol, Ellen Degeneres, Jennifer Lopez, Kara Dioguardi, Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest, Steven Tyler

What has six legs, three heads and destroys dreams? Answer: The judging table of American Idol. Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson have been breaking untalented American hearts for years, but now they're about to grow a new head, because four heads can break hearts 30% faster. Award-winning songwriter Kara DioGuardi -- who's lived with Paula Abdul, worked with multiple AI contestants and writes half of the mainstream pop played on radios nowadays -- is joining the judges' table in Tuesday night's premiere. To get to know this newcomer/industry veteran, we sat in on a conference call where she talked about her catchphrase, the new Cowell-centric voting system and which former Idol she'd like to work with.

Tags: American Idol, Kara DioGuardi, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Season 8, Simon Cowell

In preparation for next week's big fancy premiere date, Simon Cowell got on the horn with the media (including us -- we're totally the media) recently to share all the AI secrets he hides in his infamous pecs. I have to say, he was surprisingly affable and gracious, but then again that's probably just because nobody was singing at him. He was frank about how risky this season's changes could be, and his praise for new judge Kara DioGuardi wasn't exactly overwhelming, but it's Simon, and he's just not a gusher of praise in general. Personally, I have a good feeling about the new judge. Not that I have anything to base that on other than the brief call I had with her back in August, but all I can say is this show needs a coherent female who also has a good ear, and she is undeniably that. Anyway, read on for Simon's thoughts on Kara, Paula's trash talk, what sucked about last season and all manner of other things Idol below.

Tags: American Idol, Kara DioGuardi, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell