Kris Allen

"American Idol" viewers could be in for a serious case of deja vu if Phillip Phillips wins on the Fox talent contest's 11th season finale next week. While the soulful strummer from Leesburg, Ga., has certainly proved he can be a risk-taking showman by transforming songs like Usher's "U Got It Bad" into searing acoustic covers, a victory for the 21-year-old would prove something that everyone has suspected for a while: "Idol" voters prefer humble Caucasian heartthrobs over, well, anyone else.

Phillip Phillips, a bluesy Georgia guitar man, was crowned the new "American Idol" on Wednesday after defeating teenager Jessica Sanchez in record viewer voting. He was the fifth male "Idol" winner in a row. Phillips, 21, a pawn shop worker from Leesburg, Ga., looked stunned after host Ryan Seacrest announced his name, then wordlessly accepted a hug from Sanchez and congratulations from his fellow finalists. He dissolved into tears as he sang "Home," the song that may be his first single.

Pop Kris Allen Kris Allen 19/Jive ESSENTIAL “Alright With Me’’ It’s tough to say that “American Idol’’ winner Kris Allen’s debut is disappointing because it’s just the type of record anyone who watched the show last season would expect him to make. It’s a polite mix of soft rock with hints of boundary jumping that, unfortunately, never truly come. There’s really nothing wrong with the set; it’s sweetly executed and produced.

"American Idol" viewers could be in for a serious case of deja vu if Phillip Phillips wins on the Fox talent contest's 11th season finale next week. While the soulful strummer from Leesburg, Ga., has certainly proved he can be a risk-taking showman by transforming songs like Usher's "U Got It Bad" into searing acoustic covers, a victory for the 21-year-old would prove something that everyone has suspected for a while: "Idol" voters prefer humble Caucasian heartthrobs over, well, anyone else.

He avoided elimination all through his "American Idol" run, but season 9 winner Lee DeWyze has reached the end of the road at RCA Records. Newly appointed RCA Records CEO Peter Edge confirmed that the 25-year-old DeWyze is no longer on the label. His debut album, 2010's "Live It Up," sold just over 168,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Other "Idol" winners who remain on the RCA roster include season 8's Kris Allen , season 7's David Cook , season 6's Jordin Sparks , as well as the show's biggest successes, season 4's Carrie Underwood and the first winner, Kelly Clarkson ....

Scotty McCreery won the “American Idol’’ battle of the fresh-faced country crooners Wednesday, pulling more of a record 122 million-plus viewer votes than competitor Lauren Alaina. “I never in my wildest dreams,’’ said McCreery, a 17-year-old with a strikingly deep, old-soul voice that contrasts with his youth. “I’ve got to thank the Lord first … he got me here.’’ McCreery of Garner, N.C., and Alaina, 16, of Rossville, Ga., represent the first all-country finale and the youngest duo ever to compete on “Idol,’’ which is in its 10th season.

Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade 10 a.m., Channel 5 Is there anything that Ryan Seacrest doesn’t host these days? He and Kelly Ripa will hold down the fort while Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, the Jonas Brothers, Kris Allen, and Yanni perform. Look for all the expected icons, including Snow White, Mickey Mouse, and Donald Duck, as well as loads of Disney promo. Yay Christmas. Don’t You Forget About Me 6:40 p.m., Encore John Hughes died this year, and Encore is paying tribute to him tonight with back-to-back airings of “The Breakfast Club,’’ “Sixteen...

LOS ANGELES — Kara DioGuardi is following Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell out the door at “American Idol.’’ Her departure leaves Randy Jackson, who’s been with the singing contest from the start, the last judge standing, for now. Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are the reported front-runners for the panel. Entertainment mogul Simon Fuller, creator of the British show “Pop Idol’’ that was the template for the US series he produces, called DioGuardi a standout songwriter whom he planned to work with in music “for many...

To go to an “American Idols Live’’ concert is to commit to the entirety of it, the happy, safe mediocrity of the world’s greatest karaoke show. It is to know that you will endure the wobbly warbles of Megan Joy Corkrey before getting to the tougher tones of Allison Iraheta. It is to know that after Adam Lambert rules every inch of the stage, you still have to sit through Kris Allen. Yes, poor likable “Idol’’ winner Allen, with his plaid shirt and his hi-tops and his acoustic guitar, functioned as a sweet and hardworking...

Sweet Smell of Success 8 p.m., TCM I love mentioning this one when it airs on TV. It's one of a small group of movies - including "Nashville," "A Face in the Crowd," and "The King of Comedy" - that is timeless, or ahead of its time, when it comes to the subject of how celebrity and reality collide. It's dark and gritty, and the dialogue has a kind of vernacular poetry to it. Plus, Tony Curtis (left) and Burt Lancaster. The film was not a box office success when it was released in 1957.

He avoided elimination all through his "American Idol" run, but season 9 winner Lee DeWyze has reached the end of the road at RCA Records. Newly appointed RCA Records CEO Peter Edge confirmed that the 25-year-old DeWyze is no longer on the label. His debut album, 2010's "Live It Up," sold just over 168,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Other "Idol" winners who remain on the RCA roster include season 8's Kris Allen , season 7's David Cook , season 6's Jordin Sparks , as well as the show's biggest successes, season 4's Carrie Underwood and the first...

Scotty McCreery won the “American Idol’’ battle of the fresh-faced country crooners Wednesday, pulling more of a record 122 million-plus viewer votes than competitor Lauren Alaina. “I never in my wildest dreams,’’ said McCreery, a 17-year-old with a strikingly deep, old-soul voice that contrasts with his youth. “I’ve got to thank the Lord first … he got me here.’’ McCreery of Garner, N.C., and Alaina, 16, of Rossville, Ga., represent the first all-country finale and the youngest duo ever to compete on “Idol,’’ which is in its 10th season.

LOS ANGELES — Kara DioGuardi is following Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell out the door at “American Idol.’’ Her departure leaves Randy Jackson, who’s been with the singing contest from the start, the last judge standing, for now. Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are the reported front-runners for the panel. Entertainment mogul Simon Fuller, creator of the British show “Pop Idol’’ that was the template for the US series he produces, called DioGuardi a standout songwriter whom he planned to work with in music “for...

LOS ANGELES - “American Idol’’ was the colossus that dominated television in the new century’s first decade, generating top ratings, a heady share of buzz, and a handful of bankable stars including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson. Whether it can retain its status this year, let alone through the second decade, is a crucial question for its home base, Fox, as well as the network’s competitors and the seemingly bottomless well of aspiring singers who see it as a shortcut to discovery.