American Idol

Here's something to mentally chew on as you start your workweek. All those folks on American Idol may have invested an awful lot to get there, according to this informative Bankrate slideshow about the costs of being on American Idol. The cash outlay starts early, with some people flying to tryouts in other cities --- and having to trek there again if they get called back. And let's not forget to mention the cost of abandoning any employment or other responsibilities (such as covering the rent)

With two new judges, a new night and no Simon Cowell, "American Idol" began its 10th season last week under some of the most intense scrutiny the Fox powerhouse has ever experienced. Critics and fans analyzed every strange remark by Steven Tyler or tear shed by Jennifer Lopez during the auditions. And is there anyone online who doesn't have an opinion on whether Randy Jackson was or wasn't filling Simon's old seat? But for all for that, few were watching the audiences for Wednesday and Thursday nights' debut telecasts more closely than the executives of the 206 Fox affiliates that carry the show — station managers like Bill Fanshawe, who runs WBFF-TV in Baltimore.

By conservative estimate, the 1980s have been hanging around for 30 years, though it feels much, much longer. Sure, the World War II era was hot for a while. And more recently, a revival of fashion from the early 1960s caused a stir. But for reasons that remain mysterious to those who lived through that era, the Me Decade has stubbornly refused to go out of style. For evidence, skeptics need look no farther than the Baltimore Museum of Art 's current exhibit, " Andy Warhol: the Last Decade," which covers the years leading up to the artist's death in 1987.

It's not uncommon for "American Idol" winners and finalists to sell countless albums after appearing on the show. But Katharine McPhee is one of a few "American Idol" contestants to break into film, TV and music alike. Besides releasing two albums, McPhee, 26, has appeared in "The House Bunny," "Community" and "CSI: NY." When she's not shooting the pilot for an NBC comedy called "The Pink House," McPhee is playing sporadic live shows — such as the Care For Kids Concert at Goucher College on Saturday.

F or all the buzz since Thursday on NBC's plan to move Jay Leno out of prime time after barely four months, there is one driving force behind the story that has largely been ignored: The arrival of a new season of "American Idol" on Fox Tuesday night. The story of affiliate anger over "the Leno Effect" is one major factor for the Dump Leno Movement at NBC. The "effect" involves Leno's weak lead-in at 11 p.m. weeknights dramatically driving down the audience size for late news on local affiliates across the country.

Reality show refugees Syesha Mercado and Shane Sparks couldn't have reacted more differently to landing key positions in the national touring production of "Dreamgirls," which opens Wednesday in Baltimore. Mercado, a third-place finisher on "American Idol," wanted so desperately to land the role of tomboy-turned-diva Deena that she submitted to a grueling, five-month audition process. Sparks, the hip-hop choreographer on "So You Can Think You Can Dance," came up with excuse after excuse to avoid working on his first Broadway show.

"American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert is anything but subtle. When the 27-year-old singer made his "Idol" debut, audiences couldn't help but notice Lambert's spiky mop of devilishly disheveled hair, his dark guyliner and darker fingernail polish. But Lambert wasn't about to tone himself down just to appeal to more people. And because of that, he never thought he'd get too far on the show. "I remember getting into the competition and feeling like, 'Oh, I hope I crack the top 10,' " he said.

Report: Paula Abdul's return to 'American Idol' doubtful Paula Abdul's new manager says she may not be returning to American Idol. According to a Los Angeles Times report, David Sonenberg says he doesn't have a proposal for a new contract for Abdul. He says it doesn't appear she'll be back. Sonenberg began representing Abdul a few weeks ago. Auditions for the ninth season of the highly rated Fox talent competition begin next month. Abdul said recently that she'd been invited to remain as an American Idol judge and was optimistic about negotiating a new contract.