American Idol

"American Idol" judge Simon Cowell's known for quashing dreams and ruining people's lives -- not saving them! But this past week, the king of reality TV helped save one woman from a deadly disease.

During a recent audition episode of Cowell's Brit series, "The X Factor," Simon was listening to 46-year-old warbler Jacqui Gray and noticed something strange in her voice.

In an announcement to FOX News, Simon Cowell says that, among other things, getting her "away from her stupid friends" will help revive her career.

"MTV ratings are up and all we're hearing is Britney, Britney, Britney!" Simon said. "She can turn it around." Could this bring Britney's career back from its Las Vegas grave?

It is unclear whether they want Britney to be a guest star or a contestant.

TMZ caught retoothed "American Idol" wannabeen Elliot Yamin leaving the Ivy yesterday afternoon, where he told our photog he though Brit's "performance" was "awesome ... I give it a thumbs up!"

Was he watching the same show?!

TMZ cameras caught the "Idol" host before his jog outside the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in NYC on Sunday -- sporting an iPod and an inconspicuous Ed Hardy hat. When asked about the upcoming season of the juggernaut that is "American Idol," Ryan said they "weren't great ... for 20,000 people, we only found a few good ones." Is that a change?

Auditions continue this week in Charleston, with stops to follow in Miami, San Diego, Atlanta, Dallas and (random) Omaha. The new season premieres in January on FOX.

The 45-year-old reality star was strutting in the 90210 holding a her plastic-wrapped lunch. No liquid lunch for Paula! She has been busy with QVC, launching her own fragrance (what's that smell?) and a rumored new album.

The train wreck that is Corey Clark is in trouble again. Shocker!

Clark, of failed "American Idol" fame, was in a North Little Rock District Court last week where he plead guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The Arkansas judge fined him a total of $850 plus court costs, and gave him two years probation. He also waived his extradition rights -- which means he can now face charges on two outstanding warrants he's facing in Arizona. Sweet!

The warrants are for aggravated harassment and interference in judicial proceedings, both misdemeanors. As we speak, he's being transported "Harrison Ford in 'The Fugitive' style" back to Arizona. Help me, Paula Abdul!

"Idol: The Musical," billed as a satirical look at a troupe of Clay-mates from Ohio, opened two days ago at the 45th Street Theater, and promptly flopped like Clay's clammy hand on Kelly Ripa's mouth just a day later. The show's producer, Todd Ellis, said that he was shutting down the show because of a "lack of advance ticket sales, a lack of positive feedback from audience members and critics and a lack of sustainable financial resources." The rough English translation? It sucked real bad.

The fallen "Idol" gave snappers a shot of her pink panties and a flesh colored bodysuit on the L.A. set of the upcoming "Untitled Anna Faris Project," after a gust of wind almost sent McPhee into orbit. After the flash, McPhee returned her dress to the local El Torito.

Antonella Barba, the wannabeen "American Idol" with the racy pics, was recorded while "singing" the Star Spangled Banner at an event that seems to be a high school homecoming or junior high graduation -- which she then posted on her MySpace music page. Rollover Francis Scott Key!

Either nerves got to the winged songbird, or she wasn't sure which country's anthem she was singing -- because when Barba didn't quite know the words, like any pro, she just made 'em up! Genius!

Her mistakes were minor ... like changing "through the

perilous fight" into "ooh the perilous fight," and "bombs bursting in air" to "bombs bursting in there." In where, gurl?! Every song should end on a good note -- although she might not have gotten that memo. Ant ends with "O'er the land of the free, IN the home of the brave!" Classic! Keep those hits coming!

The two are set to record an entire album of cover songs -- can ya smell a yummy rendition of "I Got You Babe" coming on? Meanwhile, there's been precious little news with regard to runner-up Blake Lewis and winner Jordin Sparks, but the rest of the rejects sure are trudging along!

Let's not forget about Amanda Collucio, the sassy Idol vixen who loves to "Push N Touch!"

TMZ has learned audiences at the Laugh Factory in West Hollywood were shocked and awed last week, after axed Season One "American Idol" co-host Brian Dunkleman (memba him? no?) went on a tirade against Ryan Seacrest. Girls behaving badly!

During his set, Dunkleman, now an alleged comedian, poked fun at his stint on "Idol," but when he began making inappropriate comments like, "If wishes came true Ryan Seacrest would have AIDS," the laughter stopped faster than it does at a screening of "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry."

We're told the sad sap went on to spew that Seacrest "probably already has AIDS." Because, really, what's funnier than incurable life-threatening epidemics?! Luckily, once Dunkleman was done with his vicious diatribe, other comics like Godfrey brought life back into the room by actually being funny!

Unlike last year's "Idol" tour, this time, all ten contestants -- even winner Jordin Sparks -- happily stopped by to meet and greet their fans. No Daughtry divas this season!

While performing on Friday for a sold-out crowd at West Hollywood gay club Popstarz at Factory, the ex-brunette 19-year-old revealed her all growed up Spicy look -- a blonde Posh bob, cha-cha heels and luscious leggz! Zigazig ha!

Before giving it to the boys, M.Go belted out a few for the ladies who love ladies at GirlBar next door. Everybody loves this chick! Mikalah then brought the house down singing Alannah Myles' "Black Velvet," Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child" and Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name" -- sans annoying Blake Lewis beat boxing!

The 30-year-old Season 5 "American Idol" "winner" has just released his "inspirational memoir" called "Heart Full of Soul." Zzzzzzzzz.

In addition to covering his lackluster post-"Idol" career, the 272-page lullaby mentions how Hicks realized "Eminem has it right: when you only have one shot, you'd better lose yourself in the music." Mission accomplished Taylor -- you lost it alright!