It was a gorgeous sunny Friday in Los Angeles, and although the proverbial clouds still hung over last night's eliminated foursome -- Haeley Vaughn, Michelle Delamor, John Park and Jermaine Sellers -- they seemed to have a better attitude than the previous crop of Top 24 hopefuls when they greeted the press.

Certainly, the eternally smiley Haeley got things off to a cheery start. Asked whether she felt the judges' flip-flops were sending a mixed message, she countered by saying, "I felt like the judges had really good comments and feedback to give. I'll definitely learn from it." The 16-year-old Colorado native who sang Miley Cyrus' "The Climb" also attributed many of Wednesday's shaky performances to nerves. "We were all freaking out the first week," she said. "It was really tough. We were all super nervous and scared and worried about our song choice. Nerves are always going to play a huge factor in what we do on the show."

Still, in looking back, Haeley says that she "wouldn't change anything," but would do the same song better. " 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand' is my favorite Beatles song and 'The Climb' means a lot to me," she says. Now that the journey is over, Haeley's eyeing Disney. "My favorite show is 'Hannah Montana.' It's a big inspiration to me," she says. "I'm going to keep working on my career, and hopefully doors will open up for me. I'm a big fan of Disney, I love Miley Cyrus.... If I were given the chance to do that, I would definitely jump on it."

The surprisingly candid Michelle Delamor was up next. Though we never really got to see the true range of her talent, one thing was for sure: Kara DioGuardi's 180-degree switch in opinion from Wednesday to Thursday must have been hard to handle. "It was a little bit disappointing," she admits, "but I know I didn't do my best. I understood where she was coming from." In fact, Michelle says she was more thrown by Kara's initial overly positive comments. "I was shocked when she said it was my best performance, so when she took it back, I wasn't too surprised."

One thing she would take back? Choosing the Creed hit "With Arms Wide Open." "What messed me up a little bit was that I questioned it when I got on that stage," she reveals. "When you're not sure of the song you're performing, it's gonna be noticed." Next up for Michelle? The Florida native says she's sticking around L.A. for a stint. "I'm doing everything I can to make something big come out of this."

Equally forthcoming was Chicago's John Park, who blamed his elimination on a combination of song choice and nerves. "I definitely got distracted by the camera and the fact that the judges were going to be criticizing me in front of 30 million people," he said. "That took away my concentration to sing the song honestly." But he's not bitter about any of the judges' comments, even Simon Cowell's jab about a capella group Purple Haze. "He was basically saying that I might go home this weekend," John explained. "Of course, he dramatizes it so people at home can get a kick out of it, but after the elimination happened and I sang my last song, he came up to me, shook my hand and said, 'Good job coming this far.' He's not that mean, actually."

Chicago's Jermaine Sellers was equally optimistic. "I took it the best way I could," he said of the judges' criticisms, namely addressing his vocal style. "As an artist, you have to stay true to yourself, and I felt like pulled back a lot." As for his choice of Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On?", Jermaine explained that there was meaning to it. "The reason I did 'What's Goin' On?' right then and there is [because] I felt like we weren't paying another attention to what's going on in Haiti and Chile.... I wanted songs with meaning behind them." Jermaine went on to say that "'American Idol' has a lot of teeny boppers who want to hear more current stuff, but that's not where my soul is. I'm more about reality -- what's going on right now."

Because Jermaine was one of the more vocal contestants, he quickly developed a bit of a diva reputation. He acknowledged that portrayal during the call. "The camera can make you look more arrogant and diva-ish," he said. "I hated that I was made out to look like something that I'm not, but it's television. I felt like every night, I went out there and sang from my heart. The part that messed me up was that I couldn't focus because I was so scared of what was going to be said this week. I never got my point across because I let fear conquer me."

-- Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Photos: Clockwise from top left, Haeley Vaughn, John Park, Michelle Delamor and Jermaine Sellers. Credit: Frank Micelotta / Fox

It was hard for Season 8 alumnus Danny Gokey to contain his excitement on Thursday night, and he's acutely aware of it. Back on the "Idol" stage for the first time since his elimination in May, Danny's post-performance emotions got the best of him, while his mouth tried to keep up.

"I had so much to say, it was hard to get it all out," Danny explained following the show at a CD signing held at the Grove's Barnes & Noble. Of course, that's not to say he didn't try -- at a mile a minute. "I went back and regretted everything I did say," he admitted with a nervous laugh. "I'm one of those guys who over-analyzes everything. Right after the show, I was, like, 'I shouldn't have said this or that... freak, freak, freak!' Oh well, it is what it is."

Danny may have been a little hard on himself. With a new album to promote and the single, "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me," climbing up the charts (Danny's label Sony Nashville is hoping he'll have the highest chart position for a male country album debut), who can blame him for plugging his website?

Besides, his shameless fawning over new judge Ellen DeGeneres looks like it landed him a booking on her talk show. "Dude, it was like I totally forgot I was on live television," he said. "She and I were talking before about how I was the only Idol who hadn't been on her show. Because usually, when you get off of ['Idol'], you hit all these rounds of TV. But not me; I was eliminated and had to go right into the finale. And finally when I did make the rounds, her show went on break for the summer."

An official date has yet to be set, but needless to say, Ellen may be Danny's favorite new judge. "Having Paula was a great run, but Ellen really cracks me up," he commented. "I just wanted to hug each and every one of the judges. It was amazing to see them."

Wearing Ed Hardy glasses adorned with fiery dragons, Danny added that, even though he hasn't been watching the show (what with his demanding promo schedule), he was looking forward to meeting the contestants -- though it never quite materialized. "I went upstairs to try and talk to them but they were kind of busy," he said. "I wanted to tell them that I feel for them and I understand what they're going through on this show -- it's a lot."

Still, there's no better way to cut the new artist line than by appearing on "American Idol" -- a fact that's not lost on Danny during this critical first week of an album cycle. "The show did a lot for me," he acknowledged. "And I'm so grateful to it."

-- Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Photo: Danny Gokey performs "My Best Days are Ahead of Me" on "American Idol."

Credit: Frank Micelotta / Fox

It goes without saying, but Thursday night was not a good night for at least four of Season 9's 20 hopefuls. The contestants with the fewest votes? Former front-runner and Colorado cutie-pie Haeley Vaughn, the little-known Michelle Delamor, who showed major Whitney potential but never really got to strut her stuff, God-praising Jermaine Sellers and the foxy but ineffectual John Park.

Now, before we start analyzing their song choices, bum notes, and overall disconnect from the "Idol" audience, let us point out one unfortunate fact: This second Top 24 elimination was, as our music critic Ann Powers put it on Twitter, a "racial purge." Indeed, four minorities were eliminated, leaving Paige Myles, Michael Lynche, Todrick Hall and Andrew Garcia to represent the multicultural melting pot that is America. What gives?

Well, as much as some would like to draw red and blue lines in the sand, there's no denying that all four contestants gave less than stellar performances this week. Haeley's "The Climb" felt more like a crash, while Michelle's choice of Creed's "With Arms Wide Open" was a head-scratcher all around, in spite of her creative arrangement. On the boys' side, John Park underwhelmed with his version of John Mayer's "Gravity" while Jermaine Sellers' committed the ultimate "Idol" sin in attempting to take on a Marvin Gaye song and coming up short. All four hit their share of flat notes and overly ambitious runs, and none displayed a true emotional connection with their song choices. Hence, their dismissal.

Then again, isn't this the Top 24's main purpose? To weed out the weaker contenders and allow the true talent to shine? What do you think, "Idol" fans? Did America get it right this week? 

-- Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Photo: "Idol's" Top 16, from left to right starting with the back row: Didi Benami, Michael Lynche, Andrew Garcia, Siobahn Magnus, Alex Lambert, Katie Stevens, Lee DeWyze, Todrick Hall, Lacey Brown, Tim Urban, Katelyn Epperly, Casey James, Crytal Bowersox, Lilly Scott, Aaron Kelly, Paige Myles. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

Little bit of a shakeup this week. Simon continues to reign, Kara downplays her love of Casey, Randy continues to confuse while still getting paid, and Ellen takes a turn for the worse thanks to Tim Urban. This week's judge rankings:

SIMON

Goes overboard with the praise for Michael. Have we forgotten superior folks like George Huff? -4
Todrick. Not Tondrick, Simon. Come on, now. Don't you get $45 million a year or something? -8
Comparing Aaron unfavorably to Justin Bieber. That will get you everywhere with me. +5
The shot of a two-story trailer. You know Randy's not rolling around in that... +7
Takes back last week's misplaced Crystal diss... and then compares her to the might of Kelly Clarkson +5
Pretends Seacrest doesn't exist. Who does that pipsqueak think he is questioning harsh words for Haeley? +20
Dismissing Paige's performance of the Kara DioGuardi-penned "Walk Away" as "forgettable"... then looking Kara dead in the eye. Yikes. Kinda harsh! Don't blame the song. -5
Pounces on Didi's cat-screech performance. And pouncing on her "meowing." +5
Total points: 25
Last week's rank: 1
This week's rank: 1

KARA

Hair down, not good. Hair up, not also good. And in need of weed whacker? Let's work some happy medium out next week. -3
Calls out Casey for his idiot choice to sing Gavin DeGraw's well-worn "I Don't Wanna Be"... and pronouncing it awful +50. Being motivated by last week's "cougar" situation. -40
Bopping along to Aaron's "My Girl"? -3
Helping to build up Alex's confidence. Noble. +20 Comparing Haeley to Alex one day later, when Alex is actually capable of carrying a tune. -10
Continuing to say contestants like Didi, Lacey and Lilly have unique tones to their voices. Just like Colbie Caillat and Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson and Kate Voegele and... -7 Having the sense to tell Didi "it really wasn't good." +7
Total points: 14
Last week's rank: 3
This week's rank: 2

RANDY

Telling the girls that "the boys were hot last night...the boys were in the hunt." They barely listen to you, dawg, and you're going to lie on top of that? -5
Calls up Jimi Hendrix in a not-negative way when talking about Casey. -15
Praise for Crystal: "To me, in life, truth is reality. You are the truth. You do what you do." And for this, Randy is paid money.  +20.
Calls Haley's performance of "The Climb" "excruciating." Ding! Ding! +10 Follows it up with "But you can sing." -11
Calling up the energy after a lethargic girls' night. Letting loose a "That was dope! You slayed it!" for Siobhan. Impressive and correct (even though Siobhan herself continues to puzzle. In a good way. I think.) +7
Total points: 6
Last week's rank: 2
This week's rank: 3

ELLEN

Stretching that banana metaphor an extra week for the forces of good. Alex, you're just one ever-ripening  banana aren't you? +8
Correctly advising Todrick. He needs to be both dancing and singing up there. Even though it's probably too late for him now. +5
Continues to praise Andrew's "Straight Up." Yes, Ellen, nothing could possibly top that. False. -3
Producers replayed Ellen telling John Park that last week's "Bless the Child" was good. That can't feel good. -2 Then this week saying that "you can't go wrong" with John Mayer's McSoulful "Gravity." We need to learn from our mistakes, Ellen! -4
Telling tone deaf Tim Urban that since he's good-looking he should act and sing on "Glee" -1,000,000
Uses the word "adorable" on Lacey. -5
Tells former front-runner Katie that she doesn't wanna hear her sing songs that you would hear in a dentist's office -- but looks as though she realizes that such hope is doomed +20
Letting Katelyn know that slowing down a Coldplay song will induce narcolepsy by confusing the words "piano" and "guitar." (Let's call it a not-subtle hint, since Katelyn's one of the stronger girls). +10
Total points: -999,971
Last week's rank: 4
This week's rank: 4

-- Denise Martin

RELATED

Last week: The 'American Idol' Judge Power Rankings: Top 24

Ann Powers: The men, in their own world

Ann Powers: The 'Idol' girls try to go universal, but mostly miss

Photos: Simon Cowell (Charles Pulliam / Associated Press), Kara DioGuardi (Peter Kramer /AP),  Randy Jackson (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times), Ellen DeGeneres (Michael Rozman / AP)

Thursday night's "American Idol" elimination episode features Danny Gokey performing his new single, and Idol Tracker has learned that an episode next week will feature another Season 8 alum.

Scott MacIntyre will return to the "Idol" stage on March 11 to sing the song "Heartstrings," off his album of the same name, which is being released that day.

[Updated at 1:10 p.m.: We hear that Matt Giraud, fellow Season 8 finalist, will be singing with Scott, but it won't be the song "Heartstrings."]

The vision-impaired piano man was a fan favorite last year, having risen up the "Idol" ranks to make the top 12. He was eliminated just about a year ago, after singing "The Search is Over." 

Since exiting "Idol," MacIntyre has been hard at work on his music and words -- he, like David Archuleta, has an inspirational memoir on deck. "I feel like a book would really let me say what I want to say to people in an uncut way," he told E! last year. "I’ve received thousands of e-mails from fans telling me how the little bit of my story they’ve seen on the show has made an impact on their life."

Tune in on to see Scott perform live and check out his MySpace for more music.

-- Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter
 
Photo: "American Idol" Season 8 contestant Scott MacIntyre. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

Here's an early elimination America didn't even get a chance to vote on: The official individual Twitter and Facebook pages of the "American Idol" contestants are a thing of the past. They've been consolidated into one central page shared by all of the contestants on each social networking site. Same goes for MySpace.

Twitter followers of the remaining contestants were treated to the following message Wednesday night, alerting them to the switcheroo: "Thanks so much for following me! All my updates from now on will be on our Official Ai9 Twitter Page, please follow me there @AI9Contestants." Their Facebook fans received a similar message, directing them to the Official American Idol 9 Contestant Page: AI9 Contestants.

The media response to the change has been one of vague suspicion. The going theory is that "Idol" producers were likely concerned that the discrepancies between the number of contestants' followers may have eroded the suspense about who America prefers -- and may even have affected the way the audience voted.

Personally, I'm cool with the switch. It's handy to have all the posts in one place, easier to scan through the flurry of posts expressing excitement and thanking fans for their support in order to spot the rare moment of revelation. Wouldn't want to miss Crystal Bowersox's post assuring fans, "Don't worry, my 'beetus [diabetes] is under control..." or the chance to learn that Lilly Scott has issues other than "Idol" on her mind at the moment.

Scott, it turns out, is an alumna of the Colorado school where that terrible shooting occurred last week. "My heart goes out to the students and staff at my former middle school Deer Creek in Littleton," she tweeted. "My hometown has experienced significant tragedy but peace will overcome! My song tonight goes out to all of you…"

-- Amy Reiter

Photo: Lilly Scott performs Wednesday night. Credit: Frank Micelotta/ Fox.

In Thursday's Entertainment section, check out L.A. Times television critic Mary McNamara's take on Ellen DeGeneres' "American Idol" journey thus far. McNamara sees the veteran talk-show host as offering somewhat tepid commentary in her assessment of season 9 contestants. Still, Paula Abdul she's not, especially with Kara DioGuardi fully embracing her zany side. So where does that leave Ellen? 

A snippet:

Read the full article here, and let us know your thoughts: Is Ellen still finding her rhythm? Should she crack more jokes or fewer? Or is this particular foursome doomed, no matter what?

-- Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter 

Photo: Ellen DeGeneres, Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest, Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

There should be more room to breathe on Thursday night's hourlong "Idol," what with only 20 hopefuls left and four marked for elimination. If there's one thing we learned over the last two weeks, you're either good or bad with not much gray area to speak of. That should make predicting who's heading home slightly easier this week. In the danger zone: Haeley Vaughn, Lacey Brown and Jermaine Sellers, with Todrick Hall, John Park and Tim Urban not far behind as far as weak performances are concerned. Tune in at 8 p.m. for your results.

Danny Gokey has a busy and stressful Thursday as well, not the least of which involves singing his new single, "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me," for some 20-million people. Season 8's third-place finisher is the special-guest performer for this elimination night, after which he'll head next door to the Grove for a CD signing at Barnes & Noble (7:30 p.m.). Danny's debut album, "My Best Days," was released on Tuesday.

Elsewhere on the TV dial, Katharine McPhee guest stars on NBC's "Community" (8 p.m.), playing Chevy Chase's stepdaughter, Amber. The Season 5 runner-up says she's a huge fan of the show -- especially star Joel McHale -- and has the entire series on TiVo. Check out the video below for an on-the-set chat with Kat.

-- Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Related:

Katharine McPhee: 'Acting is still a huge focus for me'

"[T]here are not two genders," wrote the late feminist scholar Monique Wittig in one of her groundbreaking essays. "There is only one: the feminine, the 'masculine' not being a gender. For the masculine is not the masculine but the general."

What could this heady quote possibly have to do with "American Idol"? It may not be obvious. But Wednesday, as this year's women tried to recover from last week's horror (as a few of the men had the previous night), that fundamental tenet of feminist thinking -- that a woman's voice is rarely thought to speak for everyone, the way a man's can -- kept popping into my mind. 

It wasn't just that the pre-performance interviews had most contestants confiding their tres femme preoccupations (Refurbishing furniture in polka dot patterns! Saying "kiss me" in different languages! Coloring! Coloring?), or that instead of getting feisty with critical judges, these hopefuls tend to apologize and swallow even the worst advice. It was something about the singing. Why is it so hard for most of  these women to break out of their gilded cages and transcend?

They're already so trapped in their routines, these scared young ladies. I once held out hope for the erratic but interesting Haeley Vaughn, but her nervous grin somehow became a vocal tic -- unremitting chirpiness -- in her terrible take on Miley Cyrus' "The Climb," cementing her lack of range.

Similar fevers of self-limitation descended upon Didi Benami, who seemed to start in the wrong key on the Bill Withers classic "Lean on Me" and never recovered, and Lacey Brown, mind-numbingly cute while obeying Kara's dictum of last week to perform the sugar-pop favorite "Kiss Me." Katie Steven gave Corinne Bailey Rae's "Put Your Records On" a pretty spin that showed no depth. Paige Miles at least mustered some spirit (and chops!) paying tribute to Kelly Clarkson, but her classic-pop rafter-rattling was more technically accomplished than emotionally affecting.

It didn't matter whether the song these strivers chose had been a hit for a male singer: No switcheroo brought that thrill of surprise. Michelle Delamor's disorganized take on Creed's "Arms Wide Open" made scraps of an already cheap cut of meat. And Katelyn Epperly dragged her beautiful timbre through Coldplay's "The Scientist," connecting with that band's famously menschy singer, Chris Martin, at the exact epicenter of his blandness.

Three contenders did manage to put their fists through the walls of propriety and quickly built personae enclosing the others. It's interesting that each preceded her performance with a story that showed she'd struggled with that problem of the male universal before.

Lilly Scott showed off her skills as a multi-instrumentalist and bedroom auteur -- musical identities traditionally claimed by dudes, but increasingly open to gutsy weirdos like this platinum-blond forest spirit. She then offered a rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" that, while neither subtle nor penetrating, did have a certain triumphant ebullience.

Siobhan Magnus admitted to rocking a Mohawk a few years back (the first in "Idol" history?); that punk gesture was further indication of her daring, something she'd also undoubtedly built up as an apprentice in the extremely macho world of glass art. Then she frantically laid claim to Aretha Franklin's "Think." Her version of this simultaneously overdone and unassailable soul chestnut was mostly, let's be honest, a mess. But she brashly reached for Aretha's famous high note and hit it -- the way a baseball hits a plate glass window. It was surely a memorable moment, if not a pretty one, and the judges were duly impressed.

Finally, the one woman of Idol 2010 who really seems to know and accept herself gave another performance that asked nothing but that people listen, and yet said more than any flashy gesture could. Crystal Bowersox, fresh from a hospitalization for complications of her Type 1 diabetes, invested her full voice and hopeful, weary heart into a reading of the Creedence Clearwater Revival song "I Can See the Light." Randy Jackson judged it best when he told her, guru style, "Truth is reality ... you are the truth."

And the little-known fact of her life that Crystal shared in her persona-building interview? She has a twin. A brother. It seems she's been looking at that male universal her whole life. And she's figured out a pretty healthy way to define herself within, against, and beyond it.

-- Ann Powers

Related:

Ann Powers: The men, in their own world

Photo: (Seated, left to right) Katelyn Epperly, Lilly Scott, Paige Miles, Haeley Vaughn and Katie Stevens; (standing, left to right) Didi Benami, Crystal Bowersox, Michelle Delamor, Lacey Brown and Siobhan Magnus. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

Last night, "American Idol" Top 24 contender Lee DeWyze proved his vocal might when he took on Hinder's "Lips of an Angel." Though the judges pointed out some minor pitch problems and a terrified look on his face, for the most part, their reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Kara DioGuardi told the 23-year-old Mount Prospect, Ill., native that his voice was a good fit for "radio right now," Ellen DeGeneres called his performance "great," while Simon Cowell declared that Lee was "head and shoulders above everyone else" and "may be the one to beat."

But what did the guy who originally sang the 2006 hit think of Lee's take? We reached out to Hinder frontman Austin Winkler and asked if he happened to catch the performance. "Yes, I did see it and was happy to see somebody sing ['Lips of an Angel'], especially Lee!" he tells Idol Tracker. "I think he is a front-runner and has a great voice! But hey, Lee, where is that falsetto at, buddy? Just kidding."

Hear Hinder's version below, and tune in Thursday night to see if Lee will be back next week.

-- Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Photo: Lee DeWyze performs "Lips of an Angel" on "American Idol." Credit: Frank Micelotta / Fox

Inset: Hinder frontman Austin Winkler. Credit: Florian Schneider

According to "American Idol" executive producer Ken Warwick, as of Wednesday morning, it was still unclear whether Crystal Bowersox, who was hospitalized Tuesday for undisclosed reasons (believed to be diabetes-related), would be joining the other nine girls competing for spots on the much-coveted Top 12.

Speaking to Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM morning show (see video below), Warwick says the producers are considering several options should the doctor advise Crystal not to perform Wednesday night, including allowing the viewers to vote based on rehearsal footage. Warwick did not rule out a disqualification. Should that be the case, only one girl will be eliminated on Thursday.

When will we know for sure? Probably right around show time, as Warwick himself stated he didn't expect a prognosis earlier than midday. ("Idol" goes live at 5 p.m. PST).

Normally, we'd make a crack about the show working up some drama, but since the situation is apparently quite serious, we just want to wish Crystal a speedy recovery.

-- Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Looks like Sarah Palin got a double dose of "American Idol" on Tuesday. First, the former governor of Alaska and vice presidential candidate chatted with Jay Leno on his second night back on "The Tonight Show" -- a show "Idol" alum Adam Lambert closed with a rousing rendition of his song "Sleepwalker" from his debut album "For Your Entertainment." Then Palin and her family apparently slipped into the "Idol" audience to watch the men perform.

"In the audience tonight at idol? @sarahpalinusa and her kids..." tweeted "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest shortly after the show aired. "she came over after taping Leno. You wont see her on camera but she was there."

Also not seen on camera: Palin and Lambert actually occupying the same space at the "Tonight Show." ("The producers would love to have Sarah and Adam meet face-to-face on camera. It would be ratings gold. However, that is not going to happen," an insider told PopEater.com last week. "Both camps have made it clear they have no interest in meeting backstage or onstage.")

While Palin, who appeared at the beginning of the show and gamely delivered a few jokes in a "monologue," gushed about the guest who came after her, Olympic snowboarder Shaun White, and described an exciting backstage encounter with the flame-haired gold medalist, she didn't mention Lambert. And when Lambert, all a-sparkle with rhinestones, finished his dazzling performance, Leno and White came out to shake his hand. ("Great job!" Jay enthused.) Palin, an outspoken opponent of gay marriage, was nowhere in sight.

A backstage video -- a "Tonight Show" Web feature called "Backstage with Bryan" -- tells a similar story of ships passing in the night. Palin, clad in a simple black jacket, jeans and heels, can be seen lightheartedly bowing to White, whose studded leather jacket gave Lambert's glittering glam garb a run for its money.

Later, as Lambert thanks his fans, some of whom apparently camped out all night to catch a glimpse of him, Leno pops in to tell Lambert that "Sleepwalker" is his "best song," predicting that it will be his "biggest hit so far." But by that time, Palin and her family appear to have skipped the scene.

 Guess they had an "Idol" performance to catch.

-- Amy Reiter

Ellen DeGeneres will have her life story told in comic-book form at the end of this month. The comedian, talk-show host and "American Idol" judge joins the ranks of accomplished women including Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Stephenie Meyer, J.K. Rowling, Judge Sonia Sotomayor and Barbara Walters, who all have been subjects of the "Female Force" series, published by Bluewater Productions.

Telling Ellen's story in pictures (with words by Sandra C. Ruckdeschel and penciling by Pedro Ponzo), the comic book covers every chapter of her life, both personal and professional, starting in childhood and winding its way to college, Ellen's formative years in New Orleans, the comedy-club circuit and early successes on television. The biography also delves into Ellen's advocacy for gay rights and her love of animals. (Ellen requested that a percentage of the proceeds from sales of the comic book go toward the Humane Society.) Even her signature dance made it in.

The illustrated history wraps with Ellen's "Idol" gig (see panel above), in which she outlines her goals for the season: "To be a compassionate judge while still being honest." It also shows a, shall we say, liberal rendering of the "American Idol" judges.

What do you think of this skillful reinterpretation? Did they get it right, or does Randy Jackson look more like Akon? Or maybe Quincy Jones?

-- Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Image: Bluewater Productions

Last week, "American Idol" entered its always risky semifinal phase and plunged right into territory that made it seem like yet another remake of the "Poseidon Adventure". Our favorite television pleasure vessel sure seemed to be taking on water, and fast: Nearly every contestant cringed and caterwauled through foolish song selections, and the judges only made things worse with flat comments, rude clowning and utterly undisguised pessimism. The general tackiness of the two performance nights, followed by the voting off of Tyler Grady, the one kid confident enough to show some Sanjaya-style sangfroid, suggested that this season might capsize the franchise completely.

But what is serial television, if not a renewable resource? The programs that make a lasting impact often flounder, only to be rescued by some new plot line, performer or simple twist of fate.

Tuesday night's "Idol" felt like a save, if only a partial one. Forced to perform a day earlier than expected  because of female contestant Crystal Bowersox's unexpected illness, the remaining male hopefuls came closer to finding themselves. There were memorable performances, and the judges seemed happy and hopeful. The guys mostly came through by focusing on the very idea of what makes a man powerful -- a singing man, that is, whose charisma doesn't always fulfill the stereotypes of virility -- and it added up to a valuable glimpse into the nature of pop masculinity right now.

Michael Lynche set the tone with a gesture that, like the gentle giant himself, was both completely forthright and a little surprising. After admitting a youthful penchant for musical theater, he quickly reasserted his macho bona fides by announcing his selection: "It's a Man's Man's Man's World," by James Brown. The Godfather of Soul! It doesn't get more patriarchal than that.

What was excellent about Big Mike's take on the signature ballad of funk's pomaded Zeus was the way it worked against the song's easy associations. Brown preached it like the gospel revisionist he was, punctuating every phrase with a near-operatic verve. (In fact, he once performed the song with Luciano Pavarotti.) Lynche started out with a band, but toned down the song's aggressiveness by leaning into its darker notes, recalling sophisticated bluesmen such as Robert Cray, whose music speaks of the burdens of traditional manhood as much as its power.

Lynche's turn was the night's most sophisticated, but he had company in the game of employing pop's favorite male archetypes to gain emotional, if not always musical, ground. Not John Park, sadly, who just can't find the right vehicle for his rich, precise instrument. And not Andrew Garcia, the early favorite who stumbled trying on a few classic soul moves of his own. Elsewhere, though, guy-pop cliches abounded and were enlivened (marginally, at times) by the earnestness of the young strivers trying them on.

The Rocker Dude appeared in version both Classic and 2.0. First, Casey James busted out a few squealy but potent electric guitar licks to toughen up Gavin DeGraw's bubbly "I Don't Want To Be"; and then, in the coveted final spot, Lee DeWyze laid claim to the one rock stance that has proved triumphant on "Idol" -- the Nickelback groan -- by covering Hinder's "Lips of an Angel" with such note-wrecking sincerity that it caused visions of Cookies to dance in Simon's head.

The judge declared that DeWyze has the best male voice on the show, which is poppycock. What the former Extreme Karaoke regular has is that heavy, battered tone, the one that means manliness now, in an era of beaten-down average Joes. It will likely take him far, for better or worse.

Maybe this year's generally panicked mood (both on "Idol" and in the larger world) is why DeWyze's mirror opposites, the gender benders, aren't faring well. Also, both are African American this year, and thus less likely to appeal to the Queen and Bowie fans, nostalgic for their youth, who supported the great Adam Lambert.

I wish the Idol voters -- and judges -- would more readily applaud Todrick Hall and Jermaine Sellers for the risks they're taking. Hall's theatricality and overt challenges to the masculine paradigm -- twice now, he's performed songs made famous by women -- deserve more than the casual dismissals he's getting from the judges' table. And Sellers, though less cerebral, is exploring a falsetto range that, with proper vocal coaching, could be really exquisite. But, defensive as he is -- he declared God on his side this evening, inviting Simon to church --  he's never going to get there without at least one judge standing up for his pure talent.

They're too busy, right now at least, encouraging Aaron Kelly and Tim Urban, this year's milk-fed pretty white boys, both of whom showed signs of getting into their lanes as teen idols on this show. Kelly ingeniously erased the context of a soul classic ("My Girl," by the Temptations), rendering it as clean as Tom Sawyer's fence. Urban, who seemed marked for death after a horrible turn last week, sold himself as the lost Jonas Brother, and this trick of association probably earned him another week.

Puppy lovers, man's men, peacocks, dirty-sweet bad boys -- the male Idols played their roles well, if predictably. As usual, however, the best turn of the night came from outside the frame. After a painful introductory segment in which he talked about vomiting before his performances -- a tendency, sadly, more often pegged as feminine -- Alex Lambert took his place under the spotlight armed with an acoustic guitar and a song by John Legend, a guy who wears his own masculinity lightly and without fuss. He sang, in that slightly strange, androgynous voice of his, without the slightest hint of swagger or bluster. He seemed thoughtful and sweet. A person worth getting to know better.

-- Ann Powers

Photo: (Front Row, L-R) Tim Urban, Jermaine Sellers, John Park, and Alex Lambert. (Back Row, L-R) Aaron Kelly, Michael Lynche, Casey James, Andrew Garcia, Lee Dewyze and Todrick Hall. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

An "American Idol" insider assures us that Crystal Bowersox will be back to perform on Wednesday's show. The 24-year-old season 9 contender and mother of one, who's believed to be a diabetic, was hospitalized Tuesday, causing the show to switch up its semifinals order and allow the boys to sing first. Another source reveals that the guys were alerted at around 10:30 a.m. when their call time was pushed up by an hour to allow for more rehearsal time.

The last-minute change posed its share of logistical problems. For instance, viewers who texted their votes got an automatic reply thanking them for voting for the corresponding girl (if you're curious what the girls' order would have been -- and it's telling, so we don't blame you -- here it is: Crystal Bowersox, Haeley Vaughn, Lacey Brown, Katie Stevens, Didi Benami, Michelle Delamore, Lilly Scott, Katelyn Epperly, Paige Miles, Siobhan Magnus). And while some surmised that the guys would be at a disadvantage with one less day of rehearsal, that didn't seem to be the case. General post-show consensus is that the boys made significant strides since their underwhelming debut.

Of course, it's not the first time "American Idol" has had to make last-minute adjustments to its broadcast -- back in 2005, the show displayed incorrect phone numbers for three Top 11 contestants, Anwar Robinson, Mikalah Gordon and Jessica Sierra, which prompted a new performance episode and all the original votes to be thrown out. And Crystal is not the first "Idol" contender to take the 1.3 mile trip from the "Idol" studio to the hospital. While competing on season 7, David Cook spent some
time at L.A.'s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for high blood pressure and heart palpitations. Cook had also reportedly collapsed earlier in the competition but decided to continue on, and was coping with his brother's battle with cancer (Adam Cook succumbed to the disease in May 2009).

Similarly, season 6 winner Jordin Sparks was dealing with the death of her best friend while making her way to the Top 24. "I was just like, ‘I don’t know if I can go out there,’ ” she told People in 2008. “I went to the funeral and came back and then my uncle passed away – and then my grandma … and so I had three deaths go on during the show.”

To date, a contestant has never taken a leave of absence on "American Idol," but back on season 7, then-executive producer Nigel Lythgoe (in addressing Cook's hospital stint) cited a U.K. "Pop Idol" contestant (Rik Waller) who was allowed a week off to recover from a throat infection. 

Whether Crystal had left the hospital by showtime (5 p.m. PST) was not entirely clear, so we ask you: If she's under doctor's orders not to sing on Wednesday, should Crystal Bowersox be allowed a week to recuperate? What would be a fair way to handle a front-runner? 

-- Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Upper photo: Season 9 "American Idol" semifinalist Crystal Bowersox. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

Lower photo: "American Idol" season 7 winner David Cook. Credit: Courtesy RCA Music Group

"American Idol" hopeful Crystal Bowersox has been taken to the hospital for medical issues, causing a switcheroo in this week's "Idol" performance schedule.

[Updated 2:49 p.m.: A rep for Fox would not confirm if Bowersox has been hospitalized.]

The remaining 10 girls had been scheduled to sing Tuesday night but instead the boys will perform. A show insider tells Idol Tracker that Bowersox is expected to perform with the girls on Wednesday. Another source says that Bowersox is battling "serious health issues."

According to US Weekly, Bowersox, the 24-year-old Ohio mom who wowed the "American Idol" judges last week with her performance of Alanis Morissette's "Hand in My Pocket," has been hospitalized and is recovering from diabetes complications.

Fox issued the following statement Tuesday afternoon: "Due to medical issues which would prevent Crystal Bowersox from performing tonight, the 10 male semifinalists will perform this evening, and the 10 female semifinalists will perform tomorrow night."

The last-minute switch isn't expected to give the girls an unfair advantage with extra rehearsal time; the boys are said to be rehearsing for tonight's performance.

-- Denise Martin and Shirley Halperin

Photo: "American Idol" season 9 contender Crystal Bowersox. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

Katharine McPhee is still in the throes of promoting her new album, "Unbroken," but that's not stopping her from stepping into the TV world. The Season 5 runner-up will play the lead role of Emily in a new NBC pilot called "The Pink House," reports THR. The comedy centers on twentysomethings John "Fitz" Fitzgerald and Rob "Bernie" Burnett, recent transplants from the Midwest looking to make the most of their new lives in L.A. Kat's character lives in an apartment behind the guys' house, 'natch.

Elsewhere on NBC, Kat will make a guest appearance on "Community" on March 11, playing Chevy Chase's stepdaughter and a potential love interest for Joel McHale's character. And, of course, who can forget her hilarious turn as Anna Farris' pregnant sorority sister in "The House Bunny."

In January, Kat told Idol Tracker: "Acting is still a huge focus for me. I still meet with my acting coach, regardless of whether I have auditions. I just want to keep growing so that when a part comes along that I’m meant to play, I’ll be prepared. It’s just a matter of time until I find the right project." Perhaps that time is now.

-- Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Photo: Katharine McPhee in 2007 (credit: Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times)

And then there were 20...

If you're feeling at all squeamish about tonight's episode of "American Idol" (Fox, 8 p.m.), take comfort in knowing you are not alone. Last week's disastrous debut -- on both sides of the gender divide -- has left many in "Idol" land simply befuddled. Of the girls, a couple dazzled, but most disappointed. Among the few promising performers? Perennial favorite Didi Benami, the quirky Lilly Scott, beyond-her-years Katie Stevens and the earthy Crystal Bowersox. Though we're starting to get to know these contenders a little better -- we've learned that Didi (real name: Vered) has roots in Israel and that Siobhan Magnus has an uncle who played bass for '80s metal band Stryper (wonder if he and Randy Jackson ever crossed paths back in the day) -- some of us are still struggling to bond; wouldn't you agree? So the gals have a lot to prove tonight, and here's hoping it's  not a repeat performance.

Speaking of encores, Adam Lambert returns to greet Jay Leno and "The Tonight Show" stage for the second time in just over three months (Adam's ABC ban is apparently still in effect). The Season 8 runner-up shares billing with guests Shaun White and Sarah Palin (potential gag? you betcha!) and will perform the song "Music Again" from his album "For Your Entertainment" (NBC, 11:30 p.m.). [Updated March 3, 12:35 a.m.: Adam performed the song "Sleepwalker."]

And get ready for your next obsession, "If I Can Dream." "Idol" creator Simon Fuller's latest reality project is "The Truman Show" realized. A technological feat involving more than 60 cameras positioned throughout a Hollywood Hills mansion, where viewers at home can zoom in to see what one of five young hopefuls is doing at any given moment as they go about their lives and try to land the job of their dreams. Think: a truly voyeuristic version of "The Real World." Check out the "Journey to Hollywood" special below. It launches Tuesday on Hulu.   

-- Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Photo: Season 9's Top 20. Credit: Michael Becker / Fox

With the Chilean earthquake prompting the need for additional aid, and images of Haiti still fresh in our hearts and minds, it's a good thing (in so many ways) that "Idol Gives Back" is just around the corner. April 21, to be exact. But that's not to say that our Idols are sitting idly by.

Last week, season 8 winner Kris Allen took to the "Idol" stage for a moving rendition of "Let It Be." Following the performance, sales of the download, available on iTunes, went directly to benefit the United Nations Foundation.

Season 7's runner-up, David Archuleta, meanwhile, recently returned from Miami, where he joined Gloria and Emilio Estefan, along with an all-star assembly of Latino artists (including Shakira, Ricky Martin, Paulina Rubio, Juanes, Jose Feliciano, Andy Garcia and Thalia) for the Spanish-language version of "We Are the World." The song is set to premiere Monday night on Univision's "The Cristina Show," after which it will also be available for download on iTunes, with proceeds going to Help with Haiti Relief.

And the Christian community also banded together for the song "Come Together Now." Superstar singer Michael W. Smith, who had already traveled to the ravaged island nation, led the charge, with season 6's Phil Stacey and Chris Sligh and season 5's Mandisa (see photo) all joining in to lend a voice.

"It was a real fine event to be a part of," Phil told Idol Tracker. "Michael W. Smith is very passionate about Haiti; his wife lived there for a season, and he was heartbroken when this whole thing happened. So he sent a memo to all the Christian artists in Nashville asking for soloists and a choir, and I was thrilled to be asked." (Check out the video here.)

The corporate sponsors and nonprofit beneficiaries for "Idol Gives Back" have already been announced; what or who would you like to see on the show this year?

-- Shirley Halperin

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

Upper photo: Kris Allen performs "Let It Be" on "American Idol." Credit: Frank Micellotta  / Fox

Lower photo: Mandisa, Phil Stacey and Chris Sligh recording "Come Together Now" at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Studio. Credit: Courtesy Phil Stacey.