American Idol

Rosie O'Donnell has just a couple words for "American Idol's" Nigel Lythgoe: Whatever, dude.

That, in effect, was Rosie's response to Lythgoe's stinging criticism, just a couple of hours after the "Idol" honcho called her remarks about his show "absurd," "ridiculous," "self-promotional" and "without thought or knowledge." On her blog at rosie.com, "The View's" resident firestarter had this to say [warning: spellings unchanged] --

what can u say really
from the coca-cola red couch

i call it as i see it
nigel l - sam r
same same same
1985 - 2007
blah blah blah blha
blha blha blah blha

Nigel Lythgoe, executive producer of "American Idol," has just released a statement in response to criticism made against the show by "View" host Rosie O'Donnell. It reads:

"Without wishing to add to the obvious self-promotion of Ms. O'Donnell, I feel as though I must refute her absurd and ridiculous claims that 'American Idol' is racist and/or weightist.

"Ms. O'Donnell has, once again, spoken without thought or knowledge. Viewers need only look at the show tonight to realize that 'American Idol' constantly confirms to America that talent has nothing to do with weight or color."

It was Rosie's comments on Tuesday's episode of "The View" that drew "Idol's" ire. Rosie called the show "weightist and racist" over the way it has handled the Antonella Barba photo scandal this season, as opposed to when it booted contestant Frenchie Davis for the same thing. Although an "Idol" spy tells us that the difference is that Frenchie was paid for her pre-Idol porn, while Antonella's photos were private, and published without her knowledge or permission.

"Idol" has also banned "The View" from using clips from the show.

What's up for Antonella once she gets the "Idol" boot? TMZ has found one offer already on the table: Girls Gone Wild!

Joe Francis, the guy behind the GGW empire, has already offered the saucy Idolette a $250,000 contract to appear in a video as a celebrity host!

Francis tells TMZ, "We have reached out to Antonella Barba through her family and are trying to reach her directly in order to offer her a hosting job for one of our upcoming video projects. Just like the American Idol judges, we at Girls Gone Wild are looking for a girl next door, with sexiness, attitude, a carefree spirit and a presence that will command the attention of the Nation."

Hudson was in her hometown yesterday as Mayor Richard Daley proclaimed it Jennifer Hudson Day. When Hudson broke into song, she looked to the crowd to sing along with her. "Y'all want to help me out?" she asked. Apparently the answer was "No."

Antonella Barba, 20-year-old "American Idol" hopeful, has allegedly been seen in various racy photos circulating on the web, but the burning question remains: What will she do after the AI circus is finished? Wagerweb.com has some ideas ... that you can bet on.

Here are the odds on some of Barba's potential next moves:

She will appear nude in Playboy: 5 to 1
She will have an affair with Paula Abdul: 90 to 1
She will have an affair with Simon Cowell: 100 to 1
She will be photographed drunk with Paris Hilton: 12 to 1
She will shave her head: 20 to 1

This isn't the first time this time "American Idol" has dealt with nude pix. In 2003, the show dumped contestant Franchelle "Frenchie" Davis after it was revealed that she posed topless for an Internet porn site.

After "EXTRA" dug up several clips of Simon continually praising the Oscar winner during her run on the show, the acid-tongued judge had a surprising reaction, saying "Does she owe me an apology? No. I wouldn't expect an apology, funny enough."

But Cowell does expect Hudson to show some love for the people that helped her blow up. "I'd say thank your lucky stars, you've had two breaks in your life, "American Idol" and "Dreamgirls," doesn't get any better than that."

Sources have revealed to TMZ that there's a feud a brewin' backstage at "American Idol."

According to our spy, some of the religious female contestants are none too fond of one Miss Antonella Barba, since racy photos of the off-key idol began popping up on the net.

No confrontation has erupted, but it's been downright chilly behind the scenes, with the idolettes now waiting to see if America decides to keep the photogenic Barba around for another week, heaven forbid!

When contacted, reps for "Idol" had no comment.

Jennifer Hudson has been trash-talking "American Idol" and dissing on Simon Cowell. But the video evidence makes it clear -- the Dreamgirl is dreaming it all up.

"EXTRA" rolled back the tapes of Hudson on "Idol," and Simon clearly gave her props throughout the season, saying that she was a "front-runner" and calling her "great" multiple times -- high praise from the often harsh Cowell.

Sordid images have surfaced of the Simon-tweaking idolette, making her one of the most popular Internet searches ... and now she's been immortalized in a slice of toast.

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After Pickler revealed what she has been spending her post-"Idol" money on, the buxom blonde belted out her new single, "I Wonder."

From the looks of Kellie's latest accoutrements, wonder no more!

Jennifer Hudson, who finished in seventh place during the third season of "Idol," found better success at last night's Oscars when she took home the award for Best Supporting Actress. But if Simon Cowell was expecting some kind of shoutout, he'd have to go to Oscar.com to get it.

Hudson didn't thank "Idol" during the telecast, but did manage to squeeze in a nod on the Oscar website's "Thank You Cam," and then only after being reminded by someone off camera. Jennifer said, "Who else? Who else? Who else?" as she tried to remember who she forgot to thank, when an unseen woman mentioned "Idol."

"You know what? For every trial, and every tribulation, yes, 'Idol' is included in that." Hudson said in a seemingly begrudged afterthought.

As it turns out, it's sex over psycho on the Internet.

Even though Britney Spears has been on everyone's lips this week with her crazy, rehab-hopping, umbrella-wielding antics, she's not what people really want to see. Shockingly enough, it's "American Idol" contestant Antonella Barba that everyone's curious about -- at least yesterday -- when more people searched for Barba on AOL Search than on Britney, who's one of the most looked-for people in the history of the Internet.

Salacious snaps, purportedly showing the buxom Barba, have popped up on numerous sites, though "Idol" producers haven't yet taken action against the singer as a consequence.

FOX had no comment on the photos or her search popularity.

After jiggling her rack for the audience at "The Tyra Banks Show," Tyra asked the stacked "American Idol" runner-up if she could cop a feel to help dispel any rumors that she was artificially enhanced. Slick, Tyra!

Tyra went for it. Hardcore. You're welcome.

Would you like your child to grow up to be Taylor Hicks, or Katharine McPhee, for that matter? Well, now they can!

The people who brought you "American Idol" are bringing Idol to the summer -- summer camp, that is. They announced the first Idol Camp, described as a "performing arts summer camp" for kids 12-15 years old. Set in bucolic Northfield, Mass., far away from Hollywood, the camp will feature master classes from celeb guests, former Idols, and "other top industry pros." And just so they don't wear out their vocal chords, attendees will do regular kiddie-camp things like water sports.

Talent judge Simon Cowell took girlfriend Terri Seymour out for a spin in a brand new Ferrari yesterday afternoon in Beverly Hills. On last night's "Idol," Simon called hopeful Nicole Tranquillo "self-indulgent," and Ryan Seacrest shot back, "That's the pot calling the kettle black."

"I'm not indulgent," sniffed Cowell, to the sneers of Randy and Paula. Results tonight.

Robyn Troup was good enough to sing with Justin Timberlake on the Grammys on Sunday, but she was canned from the Hollywood hopefuls on last night's "American Idol."

With her "Idol" rejection taped long before she won the "My Grammy Moment" contest, Troup had a Jennifer Hudson moment by landing a major break after getting the "Idol" ax.