Feature: The Fifth Judge

American Idol recaps from a true American Idol fan, who calls it how she hears it. It's a new season; we have new judge, Ellen DeGeneres, and Simon Cowell continues to provide reasons to make us want to yell back at our TVs. The Fifth Judge critiques performances and song choices every week from the remaining contestants, while maintaining a sense of humor along the way. There's snark, favoritism, and random Idol tidbits sprinkled about for good measure. Sit back, relax, and keep some ear plugs on hand as season nine of the most popular reality TV show rolls on to crown a new American Idol.

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• American Idol: And The Judges Are...

  It's official! Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez join Randy Jackson on the American Idol panel for season 10.

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on Sep 22, 2010

• Interview: Casey James from American Idol

  Catching up with Casey James while on the road during the American Idol Live tour.

  Interview by Kirsten Coachman — on Aug 24, 2010

• Interview: Didi Benami from American Idol

  Catching up with Didi Benami while on the road with the American Idol Live tour.

  Interview by Kirsten Coachman — on Aug 22, 2010

• Interview: Tim Urban from American Idol

  Catching up with Tim Urban while on the road with the American Idol Live tour.

  Interview by Kirsten Coachman — on Aug 22, 2010

• Interview: Aaron Kelly from American Idol

  Catching up with high school student Aaron Kelly while on the road with the American Idol Live tour.

  Interview by Kirsten Coachman — on Aug 22, 2010

• Interview: Crystal Bowersox from American Idol

  Catching up with Crystal Bowersox while on the road with the American Idol Live tour.

  Interview by Kirsten Coachman — on Aug 20, 2010

• Concert Review: American Idol Live, 08/14/2010, Mountain View, CA

  Aaron Kelly shines while on tour with the rest of American Idol season nine’s top 10.

  Review by Kirsten Coachman — on Aug 16, 2010

• American Idol: Ellen DeGeneres Done After One Season

  Idol rumors are running rampant now that Ellen DeGeneres is out and Jennifer Lopez is possibly in.

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on Jul 30, 2010

• American Idol: We Have A Winner!

  The season nine American Idol winner is revealed and former Idols return in a tribute to Simon Cowell.

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on May 27, 2010

• American Idol: Don't Stop BeLEEving!

  The Top Two fumble through their songs on the way to the Idol finale.

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on May 26, 2010

• American Idol Flashback: Favorite Finale Performances

  The Fifth Judge revisits her favorite moments from past Top Two weeks on American Idol.

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on May 25, 2010

• American Idol: The Last Two Standing

  Plenty of cheers and tears during Idol results as the Top Two contestants were revealed.

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on May 20, 2010

• American Idol: Lee DeWyze Shines During Top Three Night

  Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox once again steal the show this week on Idol.

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on May 19, 2010

• American Idol: The Judges Have Spoken

  Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi's song picks for the Top Three contestants are revealed.

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on May 14, 2010

• American Idol: Here's To You, Mrs. Robinson

  Daughtry and Fantasia return to perform, and an unlikely Idol contestant advances into the Top Three.

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on May 13, 2010

• American Idol: Pitchy, Predictable And Pandering

  The Top Four take on "Songs of the Cinema," and Jamie Foxx mentors the Idols for the second consecutive year.

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on May 12, 2010

• American Idol Flashback: Top Five Week Favorites

  The Fifth Judge shares her favorite performances from Top Five weeks of American Idol's past.

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on May 06, 2010

• American Idol: Smile And Nod

  Harry Connick Jr. defines what it means to be an American Idol mentor.

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on May 05, 2010

• American Idol: It's Still The Season of The Female Winner, Right?

  With Crystal Bowersox being the last female contestant standing, can the front runner still be the next American Idol?

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on Apr 29, 2010

• American Idol: All Aboard The Shania Twain!

  The remaining six Idol contestants take on Shania Twain's songbook this week.

  Opinion by Kirsten Coachman — on Apr 28, 2010