TVSquad

We scoured the earth (and the archives at various record companies for failed projects that showed vocal promise) to create the greatest assemblage of singing talent American Idol has ever seen! So what happened? After last year's virtual snooze-fest, how did a season that truly did give us perhaps the greatest depth of talent we've ever seen (an argument could be made for Season Five) give us such lackluster shows?

After Sanjaya-gate last year, the biggest controversy to come out this year was that finalist David Hernandez used to be a stripper and David Archuleta's dad might be a Mr. Meany-Pants. And we got to be pissed that Kristy Lee Cook outlasted the likes of Michael Johns. Not until we got to the finale of Davids did things get really intense.

(S07E27) Was Dolly's appearance as big as we all hoped? Are this year's mentors hit or miss? Did anyone do a great job last night? And most importanly, who's going home? Tonight's live chat of the American Idol results show will start shortly before 9pm ET. Check out the Ford commercial and see if Dolly's still got it herself as a performer (my guess is yes).. And see if America got it right ... or if Kristy Lee is still alive ... again.

You can join the chat by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.

(S07E26) The success of these live Idol chats just keeps growing and growing. So come on in and join the hottest American Idol party on the web this week during both the performance and results show. Tonight the festivities begin in time for the live 8pm ET performance show. This week's theme, mentor and guest performer tomorrow are all Dolly Parton. Dolly's written some great songs, but we've only got one hour tonight so expect wall-to-wall music. Come on in, the chatter's fine!

You can join the chat by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.

We got a tip from TV Squad reader 'Alice' detailing what 'she' claims is the set list for this week's performance show. Now, Entertainment Weekly has their own song list for "Dolly Parton Night." And the two lists couldn't be more different. EW's list comes from a "a pretty solid source" while mine comes from an anonymous person from Singapore or Zimbabwe named 'Alice' using a fake email address. But maybe Alice is the secret name Ryan Seacrest uses when he wants to feel special and he's got the real scoop. I'll know for sure he's legit if I get an offer to make millions of dollars just by transferring funds through my bank account. Ryan wouldn't lead me astray.

The celebrity mentor and theme is Dolly Parton (so they both got that much right), though reports have it that she refused to judge the contestants because she couldn't bring herself to be mean. I guess she decided that one Paula was enough. I'm glad to hear this as 90% of the celebrity guest judges do nothing but gush over everybody's performance, and I don't think I could take Dolly telling Kristy Lee Cook how she's such an amazing performer and could win the competition.

Hey, Brigitte here with TV Squad Daily. I'll be covering the TV stories I find interesting each day, Monday through Friday, in this video blog.

Today: on TV Squad Daily:

• Nickelodeon wants the kids to play outside tomorrow so they're broadcasting several hours of a black screen.
  
• Dolly Parton reminds us all that she is nice. Too nice to judge American Idol.
  
• I'm oddly intruiged by this: Knight Rider is might be coming back to TV next fall.
  

The video's embedded below, or you can subscribe to this podcast via our feed. Plus, you can also download the file directly.

Hey, Brigitte here with TV Squad Daily. I'll be covering the TV stories I find interesting each day, Monday through Friday, in this video blog.

Today on TV Squad Daily:

• Apparently taking a break from that memoir she's writing, Tori Spelling is having a yard sale today and tomorrow.
• Dolly Parton wasn't offended when Jessica Simpson flubbed her song at a her Kennedy Center tribute.
  
• Treat yourself to lunch with Walter Cronkite, or a private after-party with George Clooney. After all, it's for charity.

The video's embedded after the jump below, or you can download the file directly (Quicktime required). You can also subscribe to this vodcast via our feed.