With only weeks left in their deal with 98 Degrees singer Jeff Timmons, the honchos at Chippendales are hunting for a new celebrity MC -- and TMZ has learned they're very interested in one very hunky "Idol" alum.



Sources close to the club tell us -- "Idol" Season 5 finalist Ace Young visited the Chippendales at the Rio in Vegas recently ... and was SUPER interested in donning the famous bow tie and shirt cuffs. 

According to sources, Young paid Chipps a visit to hang out with Timmons -- and to see how the whole guest-hosting thing works.

So far, there's no deal in place -- but it looks promising.

Kat McPhee and Jordin Sparks are performing at the big Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular.

Taylor Hicks is doing "A Capital Fourth" on PBS.

And Ace Young is doing the 18th Annual Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival in Tennessee -- where he is the fourth billed act behind Boys Like Girls, Good Charlotte and Metro Station.

Hey, a gig's a gig.

Ace Young's singing is almost a crime -- and the LAPD will back us up on that one.


In the middle of Young's performance, the former Idol says cops pulled the plug, citing a "noise complaint." Yeah, that's pretty much just another way of saying "your music blows!"

Taylor Hicks may have won 'American Idol' but he isn't the only finalist to get a record contract.

A source tells TMZ that RCA Music Group, which is home to all the past 'Idol' winners, will sign Katharine McPhee and is close to signing a solo deal with Chris Daughtry. Ace Young is also said to be in talks with the label.

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It looked like an 'AmericanI Idol' cast party Friday night at Hollywood hot spot Hyde. Ace Young, Chris Daughtry, Elliott Yamin and Bucky Covington hit up the clubs this past weekend, doing a bit of posing for the cameras and enjoying their new-found fame.

The four 'Idol' castoffs had no trouble getting to the front of the line -- despite being 'Idol' runner-ups. Chris even took the time to sign a few autographs for fans.

Check out this 'American Idol' edition of Star Catcher.

Related links

• See more Star Catcher!

TMZ has learned that the remaining 'American Idol' contestants will attend the Los Angeles Dodgers game Friday night and there's a buzz that they may perform.

We're also told everyone on the set was stunned Wednesday night that Chris Daughtry was in the bottom two.

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TMZ Exclusive Video: 'A.I.' Goodbye Dinner for Ace

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'Idol' contestants Chris Daughtry and Paris Bennett helped console their friend, Ace Young, after Ace was voted off of 'Idol' last night. A TMZ camera exclusively captured the 'Idol' hunks and Bennett at the The Whisper Lounge in Los Angeles after the results show.

Video

• Ace On the Town After Elimination
• 'Idol' Farewell Dinner

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Ace's girlfriend is ticked off. An 'Entourage' star causes tsunami pandemonium. Michael Douglas is on the hunt for Catherine's new lover.

Click to see the video!