simply the best

AI was the most popular television series of 2007, according to analysis by Nielsen Media Research. Get the full story here.

Do you think the title is warranted? After all the criticism of AI's last season, what -- other than Sanjaya, of course -- kept people watching?

spoiler fans, rejoice

We haven't even hit the one-month mark in the countdown before season 7 premieres, and there's already an AI spoiler scare.

And this one appears to be legit, many sources report.

Online AI forum JoesPlace has a list of this season's top 50 contestants, including singers who made it through Hollywood Week and ones who have been cut. It also gives info on the MySpace accounts, and personal Web sites, of many of the included contestants.

Interestingly enough, the site includes siblings of two singers who have already appeared on AI: Fantasia Barrino and Chris Sligh.

But is it real?

That's hard to say. This MTV article gives a pretty comprehensive look at the potential spoilers. The writer visited MySpace accounts of many of the mentioned singers, and concludes that several of the reported finalists seem to know each other.

An excerpt:

Despite living in separate cities and states, they've all been leaving each other friend comments, and most of them share the same top friends — each other. While that's not definitive evidence that the list is solid, we did hear from some "Idol" hopefuls — both in the running and out — who verified that at least some of the names appear to be legit.

Thoughts?

reason no. 3

The third reason to get excited about the seventh season of AI?

The infamous group song.

(Read: A guaranteed weekly results-show bathroom break.)

stacey in the studio

Phil Stacey, also known as the bald alien guy from last season, is in the studio working on his debut album, according to this article.

Let's just hope he doesn't sport his (unfortunate) trademark cancer patient hat on the disc's cover.

reason no. 2

And my second reason to be excited about season 7 of AI: the inevitable dirty-photo scandal.

in summary...

So a lot of AI-related stuff has happened since I last updated this blog. Not too much, however, to make me unable to recap the events in a five bullet summary.

Here goes:

*Last season's winner, Jordin Sparks, released an album. Unsuccessfully. She had the lowest-charting debut by an "Idol" champ, this article notes. Somewhere, Taylor Hicks is laughing. At a 50-and-older early bird buffet, most likely.

*Blake Lewis, last season's runner-up, also released an album. His first single is called "Break Anotha." I'll stop there.

*Melinda Doolittle, a sixth-season favorite also known as Shrek, has moved on to a prosperous future of Zaxby's commercials, which you can watch here.

*Fourth-season finalist Jessica Sierra's exploits continue to make headlines. Get the full story here. I think I'll skip on the possible sex tape, though...

*Season 7 auditions happened. I was there -- for part of the ordeal, at least. I also met Ryan Seacrest. My life has never been the same.

season seven, here i come

OK, so I vow this blog will be back in full force every day until season seven starts Jan. 15.

In addition to rumors and gossip, I'll be providing one reason a day to get excited about the new season.

Today's reason to be excited = The likelihood that your favorite contestant could soon have his or her very own mugshot.