American Idol

Two of the most reliable predicters of 'American Idol' winners are pointing in different directions.

Screensavers.com, which has been flooded with 'Idol' downloads, says Chris Daughtry's downloads have out-numbered the other top contestants 2 to 1.

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Simon Cowell was on the set of 'EXTRA' yesterday with an unexpected guest on his lap -- a pug puppy!

Although it's not his pup, the pug won over Simon faster than any 'American Idol' winner. The notorious hard-shelled Cowell melted as the puppy warmed up to him, hanging out on his lap for the entire interview.

See the softer side of Simon come out as he gushes over the baby pup.

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Kellie Pickler has come a long way from Albemarle, NC, but it's become an expensive proposition for her Grandpa Clyde to support her by travelling to Hollywood. So, the Albemarle community has come up with clever ways to help with Grandpa Clyde's travel expenses, and it looks like they hit the Jackpot. All proceeds go to Grandpa Clyde.

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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

'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.

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As the 'American Idol' competition heats up, the divas have emerged -- and they are not Kellie, Paris or Katharine.

Sources connected with the show tell TMZ that Ace Young and Chris Daughtry are hands down the most difficult contestants for producers to handle. Once source called Ace and Chris, who are roommates, "constant complainers." They complain about everything from song selections to shopping.

'Bad Day' is currently the top song in the iTunes music store and the song all of America hears when contestants learn they have been voted off 'American Idol.' Not bad for a track off of an album that was made for $6,000.

Daniel Powter never had any aspirations to "be a big pop guy." He says, "For me it was mostly about trying to get on some sort of distribution, being able to get in front of people and play music and tour."

TMZ has learned that 'American Idol's' Taylor Hicks was offended by Simon Cowell's remark after Taylor's performance Tuesday night. Simon's comment -- "Are you drunk?" -- pushed a sensitive button with Taylor. Back in his hometown, Talylor has dealt with others affected by alcohol.

We're told Taylor will occasionally have a drink, but he is definitely not a drinker. While on 'Idol,' Taylor is strictly business, often drinking milk with dinner. Indeed, when two of his close friends visited recently, the friends downed beer after beer while Taylor limited his intake to Coca Cola.

Sources say that Taylor was so upset with Simon's "drunk" comment that he almost said something on the air, but resisted. After leaving the stage, Taylor made it clear that he was upset.

Brian Less of the Taylor Hicks Band back in Alabama told TMZ recently: "Right now, he (Taylor) knows that he's got to stay focused out there and do his best. So, Corona's not going to help him!"

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'American Idol' Judge Paula Abdul has given her once hot and heavy love interest actor Tony Schiena the boot. Sources tell TMZ that ever since her ex-boyfriend, Dante Spencer, came to her rescue after she was allegedly assaulted at a party last week, the two are "stuck like glue." Spencer suffered a cut above his eye during the scuffle and needed stitches to close the wound.

Spencer has been at Abdul's side non-stop since the incident. He's been hanging out in Abdul's dressing room on the 'Idol' set and in the greenroom during tapings.

As for the alleged assault, the LAPD is conducting an investigation. Paula claims her former agent knocked her down to the ground, rendering her unconscious. The New York Post reported Thursday that Abdul concocted the assault claim after being ejected from a club.

'American Idol's' Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks' last minute song changes won the judges over -- but ticked off producers.

Sources tell TMZ that McPhee and Hicks' decision to pull the plug on their initial song of choice mid-week ended up costing a significant amount of money. The 'Idol' band and backup singers scrambled to learn the new compositions and the entire crew, especially lighting, spent costly hours making changes. We're told producers were very frustrated.

In addition, sources tell TMZ that 'Idol' producers were surprised by Chris Daughtry's song choice -- 'Innuendo.' They even went as far as telling Daughtry during Tuesday's dress rehearsals -- moments before the contestants took the stage live -- that they disliked the song and wouldn't have picked it if they were him. Simon certainly wasn't impressed.

Could the backstage bashing have affected Daughtry's performance?

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(April 6, 5:20PM ET) -- America's shocking decision to vote Mandisa off 'American Idol' Wednesday night was not a shock at all to those backstage. Sources connected with 'Idol' tell TMZ the buzz behind the scenes last night was Mandisa getting the boot had nothing to do with her performance -- it was all about her openly anti-gay affiliations.

According to TMZ sources, lots of Hollywood types were backstage, including agents, PR flacks, managers and special guests. And the sentiment was clear; as one person put it, "Once you don't have the gays - forget about it."

During 'Idol's' March 28 show, which had a "Songs of the 21st Century" theme, Mandisa's choice "Wanna Praise You" raised eyebrows.

Before she began singing, Mandisa said, "This song goes out to everyone who wants to be free. Your addiction, lifestyle, or situation may be big, but God is bigger!" Mandisa said the song means a lot to her "because it's a testimony that there's nothing too hard for God."

Mandisa is openly a big fan of anti-gay author and lecturer Beth Moore. In her bio on the 'American Idol' website, Mandisa called Moore her "personal American Idol." Moore's website provides links to other sites that locate ministries for "those affected by homosexuality."

(April 6, 3:15PM ET) -- 'American Idol' judge Paula Abdul claims she was physically battered and suffered a spinal injury and possible concussion after an altercation at a Hollywood club on April 2.

According to law enforcement officials, Abdul claims a man at the club grabbed her by the arm and threw her against a wall, causing her to suffer "spinal injuries and concussion." Abdul told officers she sought her own medical treatment. The LAPD is investigating her claims.

US Magazine.com reports that Abdul and friends were out last Saturday night when she ran into one of her former agents. According to US, the agent resented Abdul's "smirky attitude" towards him and after a heated discussion, the agent "accidentally-on-purpose bumped into her" causing Abdul to fall on the floor. A witness told US a friend of Abdul's attempted to defend the star and allegedly punched the agent in the face.

US says a shaken Abdul was taken home, complaining of pain in her lower back and a possible concussion. The friend involved in the physical altercation was taken to the hospital where he received stitches for a cut below his eyebrow.

TMZ has confirmed that Paula is receiving medical treatment from a private physician for a concussion and spinal injuries stemming from this incident. Lieutenant Paul Vernon of the LAPD tells us, "At this time [the agent] is a suspect but has not been arrested or charged with a crime."

The 'Idol' contestants are staying in living quarters in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles. We're told a neighbor called FOX to complain about Chris Daughtry's loud music. The woman alleges that Chris' music is so loud and stressful that it killed her bird, Sweet Pea.

Chris Daughtry feels bad about the dead bird. His fellow contestants -- not so much. We're told a few of them joked that Chris should wear a t-shirt that says "R.I.P. Sweat Pea."

'A.I.' said goodbye to Lisa Tucker Wednesday night and we're told that the 16-year-old knew it was coming. Tucker's mom hung out at the studio all day Wednesday for moral support, knowing how hard it was on her daughter.

Tucker's mom told friends that Lisa was prepared to say "goodbye," taking comfort in the fact that 'Idol' had become a building block for a promising career. Mom also told friends that her daughter had received so many calls from networks and theatrical companies, it was sick. Disney is rumored to be one of them!

Ever wonder what happens to the fallen 'Idols' once they're booted off the show? TMZ has the lowdown on what happens the moment after the unlucky one watches their journey on tape -- set to Daniel Powter's 'Bad Day' song -- and steps off the stage for the last time.

After the remaining 'Idols' say goodbye to their comrade, the rejected 'Idol' is immediately taken into a private room, in which a psychologist and an 'Idol' management rep are present.


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