American Idol

'American Idol' frontrunner Taylor Hicks now has his own version of a classic video game. Thanks to his faithful Soul Patrol fans, you can now play 'Taylor Hicks PacMan.'

One member of Taylor's Soul Patrol has designed a unique version of the vintage chomper game, in which Taylor is featured as PacMan and the ghosts are the other 'Idol's. The object of the game is to gobble up as many votes as you can while avoiding the deadly grasp of other 'Idol's.

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• Taylor Hicks PacMan

Song choice is critical when you're competing on 'American Idol'. Simon, Paula and Randy constantly bash 'Idols' based on their song selections alone. Now, TMZ has the lowdown on how the song selection process works -- and it's more involved than you would think.

'Idols' don't have a full range of songs to choose from. Instead, they're given a list of songs, and TMZ has seen the binder that the 'Idol's use in making their pivotal decisions. The list is a stapled packet almost one inch thick. Inside the packet are songs that are cleared by 'Idol's' legal team and by the artists themselves.

Ever since 'American Idol' favorite Chris Daughtry was voted off the show last week, attention has focused on which of the surviving contestants would win his fans' votes.

The answer: none of them.

Daughtry fans on 'A.I.' message boards say that now that their favorite has been eliminated, they plan on boycotting the 'Idol' voting entirely.

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• Daughtry out on the town
• Idol farewell dinner

On yesterday's episode of 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show,' Ellen welcomed two of the most popular guys on the music scene: Nick Lachey and Chris Daughtry.

Nick talked about moving on with his life ("You just have to live your life"), while former 'American Idol' frontrunner Chris talked about getting ousted from the show ("It was like a knife went in my stomach").

Take a look at the clips and check your local listing for when 'Ellen' airs.

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An astrologer who predicted last year's 'Idol' winner says the stars are lining up for Katharine McPhee to be the next 'American Idol.'

Jeff Jawer, an AOL Horoscopes astrologer, says the alignment of the Taurus moon with Venus and Pluto gives Katharine the edge over Taylor Hicks and Elliott Yamin. The 'Idol' winner will be picked on May 24.

Last year, Jawer correctly sized up the lunar signs and predicted that Capricorn Carrie Underwood would win the competition.

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• 'American Idol' '06: Who Has the Winning Stars?
  
• More 'American Idol' stories
  

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'American Idol' front-runner Taylor Hicks reunited with his band when the 'A.I.' star visited his hometown of Birmingham, Ala this past week. The success of Taylor's band has erupted ever since their lead singer made a splash on 'American Idol'. The Taylor Hicks Band, starring Taylor himself, performed in front of nearly 12,000 of Soul Patrol fans Friday with performances outside City Hall and the Galleria Shopping Mall. The band also performed on a live broadcast aired on the local FOX affiliate.

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• Taylor Hicks' Homecoming
• Taylor's Mom Speaks

Was it talent or luck that landed Taylor Hicks in the top three 'American Idol' slots? We found out that Taylor-- at least partially-- banked on luck.

In the past, Hicks has always carried two lucky charms with him when he performed with his band back in Alabama -- a Ray Charles bobble-head doll and a King of Clubs playing card. Why Ray Charles? Taylor's a huge fan. Why the King of Clubs? His bandmates tell TMZ that Taylor was the king of all nightclubs in his hometown.

When Taylor made it to the top 12, his bandmates flew to Hollywood to deliver the lucky charms. We can only assume Taylor was packing a King of Clubs when he sang on 'A.I.' As for the bobble-head, it probably ended up in his dressing room -- it's way too big for the 'A.I.' stage... and his pocket.

Click here to see the good luck charms.

TMZ was along for the ride Friday when 'American Idol' frontrunner Taylor Hicks paid his hometown of Birmingham, Ala a visit. He pumped up the "Soul Patrol" with two live performances.

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• Taylor Hicks' Homecoming

'American Idol' frontrunner Taylor Hicks visited his hometown in Birmingham, Ala. on Friday and received a hero's welcome.

The trip home included a parade, a performance at Alabama's largest shopping mall and a meeting with the governor. Fans swarmed Hicks for pictures and autographs at every stop.

Hicks performed the song 'Will It Go Round in Circles' for thousands of screaming fans at Linn Park and was given the key to the city by Mayor Bernard Kincaid.

The multi-platinum rock band Fuel has offered 'American Idol's' Chris Daughtry a gig with the band.

Click here to listen

Paula Abdul may have been shocked by his departure last night, but some of the country's top betting sites predicted Chris Daughtry's ouster from 'American Idol.'

Chris Daughtry will get an offer tonight to front a famous band. It will unfold on the television show 'EXTRA.'

Members of the band will appear on the 'EXTRA' set to make the offer.

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.

Related videos

• Daughtry out on the town
• 'Idol' farewell dinner

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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• Pickler hometown lowdown 
• 'Idol' farewell dinner

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