American Idol Returns - Much Too Soon

ABC says it will revive "American Idol" after it has spent only one year off the air.

The network announced Tuesday that the music competition show that dominated television in the 2000s and minted stars like Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson, will begin sometime in the next TV season. That season starts in September.

The series originally aired on Fox and was canceled due to fading ratings. But ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey called it a "pop culture staple that left the air too soon."

ABC left plenty of questions unanswered, including who will be the host and judges. ABC recently hired the show's old host, Ryan Seacrest, to be co-host with Kelly Ripa on the daytime talk show "Live."

The show, which had grown stale, is an expensive dinosaur because of the costs of the host and judges. It started off as a money making machine because the judges got paid next to nothing. When you are throwing away $100M to judges and the host that is way too much money.

Joanne Borgella Has Died

Joanne Borgella, a contestant on season 7 of American Idol and first winner of Mo'Nique's Fat Chance, died on Saturday morning after battling cancer. She was 32. 

Josh Gracin Put On 5150 Hold

It was a scary hectic day yesterday for the family of American Idol Season 2 finalist Josh Gracin. The former Marine turned singer posted what his friends and family and fans thought was a suicide note to his Facebook page. One of his family members called the police who went to the singer's house. There they found his wife who Josh had mentioned in his post. He said that he loved her for 17 years and had made mistakes and admitted them and that she turned her back on him when he needed her most. Police called Josh from the house and while he was on is way home intercepted him and had him follow them to the hospital where doctors placed him on a 5150 hold. This story could have been so much worse than it turned out to be. Thankfully someone took the time to call police and the police acted quickly.

Michael Johns Has Died

Australian born American Idol finalist Michael Johns died Friday from a blood clot in his ankle. Johns is the first finalist from American Idol to pass away. He finished eighth on Season 7. He was 35.

Sanjaya Looks A Whole Lot Different Now

Over the weekend, former American Idol contestant Sanjaya stopped by a pub in Seattle and sang about ten songs with a buddy of his. Apparently the crowd went crazy for him and if someone had not specifically told me he was Sanjaya I'm not sure I would have recognized him. I wonder how many other former contestants are still trying to make a go of a musical career and are playing in pubs and bars around the country trying to make a buck or get a record deal.

American Idol Judges And Ryan Seacrest Will Be Back

There might not be anyone watching and the winner will probably disappear into nowhere but the three judges of American Idol and Ryan Seacrest will be back earning more money than the GNP for some small countries. For a 14th season Ryan will be back and Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr and Keith Urban have all signed on for next season. With Matt Lauer signing an extension at Today and no word on a CNN job yet, Ryan will be doing his best to work more hours than anyone on earth while at the same time making sure his frosted locks are buried in Kris Jenner's rear. I can't even listen to his radio show here any longer because of the way he promotes that family. I know he makes a ton of money off each season of the show, but at this point does he need to talk about them everyday?

And The Winner Of American Idol Is

Last night American Idol crowned their 13th winner. Much like the previous four or five winners, Caleb Johnson will probably disappear after a year or so. After the obligatory few red carpets and radio appearances and launch of his record which will probably not do so well he will quietly be dropped from the label and in interviews in a couple of years will talk about how he is writing new material and can't wait to get back in the studio and sell a record that even less people will buy. It is too tough for winners to make their mark although they do much better than their other talent show competition. I think the winners think they will be catapulted into some type of Carrie Underwood or Kelly Clarkson life changing experience but that is really unlikely. If there is a chance for anyone it is probably Jena Irene Asciutto since she is just 17 and there always seems to be room for young teens to get a record made and sold. No guarantee, but I think she has a better shot. What you should do if you win is go ahead and make your record and hope for the best, but use your initial fame and go do some Broadway. That is something you can make a career of and your winning status will help you get leads you would never have received otherwise.

Scotty McCreery Robbed In Home Invasion

American Idol winner Scotty McCreery was on the receiving end of one of the scariest things that can happen to you. He was at a house in Raleigh, North Carolina with some friends when three armed men entered the house and took money and wallets and cell phones from several people who were at the house. No one was injured in the invasion. It happened about 2am Monday morning. Scotty said the police were great, but he won't be talking about it anymore right now.

My guess is that someone heard there was a little house party and it had an American Idol winner there and probably some easy money and the next thing you know there is an armed robbery. Someone told somebody which is how it happened. It is too much of a coincidence that they decided to rob this particular house, with people there unless they thought there would be some large quantities of stuff they could get easily.