Blake Lewis Returns to American Idol on 3/6 We can now confirm the rumors that have been swirling about Blake’s return to American Idol…he will in fact appear on the March 6th results show to perform his new single, “How Many Words.” Yay! Team Plaid Studdard to sing ‘Idol’ farewell Ruben Studdard is back on “American Idol’s” radar. The Season 2 winner will perform the “farewell song” used to play off contestants as they are eliminated from the top 12. This year, the song will be a cover of Kenny Loggins’ “Celebrate Me Home,” in a new version produced by Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam. “It’s very soulful, very heartfelt,” Lewis said. “Ruben is singing his pants off.” As part of “Idol’s” new sponsorship with iTunes this season, “Celebrate Me Home” will be made available digitally starting March 12, the day the first of the top 12 will be sung off. It’s also expected to be included on one of the compilation albums annually released by “American Idol,” according to Iain Pirie, head of 19 Entertainment U.S. Hollywood Reporter Read more »

• Michael Johns is safe
• Chikezie is safe
• Jason Castro is safe
• Danny Noriega is safe

Jason Yeager is eliminated

• Kristie Lee Cook is safe
• Asia’h Epperson is safe
• Brooke White is safe
• Amanda Overmeyer is safe

Alexandrea Lushington is eliminated

• Carly Smithson is safe
• Ramiele Malubay is safe
• Syesha Mercado  is safe
• Kady Malloy is in the bottom 3 (according to Ryan) and is safe

Alaina Whitiker is eliminated Robbie Carrico is Eliminated VIDEOS!

• Jason Yeager is eliminated
• Alexandrea Lushington is eliminated
• Alaina Whitiker is eliminated
• Robbie Carrico is eliminated

Idol Gets Beatlemania It’s been a hard day’s night for American Idol, but the show finally has a ticket to ride. The music publisher that controls the Beatles’ John Lennon-Paul McCartney composed hits has given Idol the go-ahead to let its contestants have their way with the likes of “Yesterday,” “Let It Be” and, should someone be so brave, “I Am the Walrus.” The scoop was served up Wednesday on Idol host Ryan Seacrest’s morning radio show in Los Angeles. “It’s something we’ve waited for for seven seasons now,” Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told Seacrest. “Sony has agreed to release the Lennon and McCartney songbook to us.” Eonline ‘American Idol’ to feature Beatles songs when Top 12 finalists perform “When the Top 12 sing for the first time this season, it will be the music of Lennon and McCartney,” he told Seacrest. “We’ve given them a list because it’s all of the early songs — from ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ to ‘Got to Get You Into My Life.’ These fantastic songs. It’s one of the few areas that everybody knows.” Idol’s ability to secure the songbook’s usage apparently happened fairly quickly. During a December conference call with reporters, Lythgoe said Idol still didn’t have the rights to the songbook. “If that Lennon/McCartney songbook were open to us, I would love that,” gushed Lythgoe. “At the same time, I would really like it when we have got our best singers. I would hate to ruin Beatles material. I really would.” During his conversation with Seacrest, Lythgoe allegedly that the talent level of Idol’s seventh-season contestants is the reason why Sony/ATV made the songbook available. Reality TV World Read more »

THE most reliable spoiler out there right now, Joesplace, just posted song spoilers for the Top 10 Girls on her blog. The girls taped their performance show tonight. Check out what the girls sang and in what order… After the jump… Read more »

Simon Predicts Idol Winner, Addresses Exit Rumors Simon Cowell might bash contestants right and left, but he has high hopes for at least one them. On Tuesday’s Extra, he predicts this year’s winner: David Archuleta. Describing why he think’s Archuleta’s winner material, Cowell said “He’s cute. He’s likeable. [He has] a big voice. He’s the one to beat.” But what about the dapper Chikezie? “He’s never going to win unless the other 18 resign.” TV Guide ‘Idol’ director may be leaving show Longtime “American Idol” director Bruce Gowers may be departing the hit Fox competish show. Particulars behind Gowers’ departure — and whether it’s permanent or a temporary hiatus — were tough to come by over the weekend; when word of Gowers’ departure first surfaced Thursday night, “Idol” was in the middle of a special live broadcast from CBS Television City. Insiders said an incident on the “Idol” set may have triggered talk of Gower’s departure. Producer FremantleMedia declined comment, noting that it doesn’t comment on personnel matters. Variety Read more »