The Return of American Idol

On January 13th American Idol returns with the often hilarious tryouts of Season 8. There are plenty of changes to keep things fresh this time around... For instance, this season there will be a Top 36 instead of a Top 24. There will be a "wildcard" round in which the judges can give good performers a free pass to advance. The Top 36 will not be limited to themes (like Disco Songs or Rod Stewart songs), and instead will be able to choose any song that has been a Billboard Top 10 hit. After reducing the field to only 12 contestants, themes will reportedly return to the show.

As we've done in the past, we've created a poll for you to pick your favorite American Idol winner from the past. Kelly Clarkson has won the last two polls, but Carrie Underwood has gained a lot of popularity since the last poll began. Vote in the poll here.

- THO Polls
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New Pop/Top 40 Songs on the Radio - January 2009

New songs recently added to pop/top 40 playlists in the U.S.:


All-American Rejects - Gives You Hell
Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
The Cab - Bounce
Mariah Carey - I Stay In Love
David Cook - Light On
Kardinal Offishall f/ Keri Hilson - Numba 1 (Tide Is High)
Maroon 5 - Goodnight Goodnight
Metro Station - Seventeen Forever
Ne-Yo - Mad
New Kids On The Block & Ne-Yo - Single
Katy Perry - Thinking Of You
Pink - Sober
Pussycat Dolls - I Hate This Part
Rihanna - Rehab
Lesley Roy - Unbeautiful
Britney Spears - Circus
The Veronicas - Untouched
We The Kings - Secret Valentine

- New Songs Google Gadget
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New Album Releases for November 18, 2008

Beyonce - I Am...Sasha Fierce [2 CDs]
David Cook - David Cook
Il Divo - The Promise
Nickelback - Dark Horse
Mudvayne - New Game
Blake Shelton - Startin' Fires
Dido - Safe Trip Home
Slim - Love's Crazy
Shontelle - Shontelligence
Ace Hood - Gutta
Laura Pausini - Primavera Anticipada (Italian Version)
Ricardo Arjona - Quinto Piso
Zac Brown Band - The Foundation
Lil Keke - Loved By Few, Hated By Many
Belle & Sebastian - The BBC Sessions
The Priests - The Priests
Chris Botti - Live In Boston [Live]
Rod Stewart - The Definitive Rod Stewart [2 CDs + DVD]
Sammy Hagar - Cosmic Universal Fashion
Randy Houser - Anything Goes
Soundtrack - Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
The Love Willows - Hey! Hey!

- Full list of new and future releases
- 2008 Holiday albums
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New Pop/Top 40 Songs

New Pop/Top 40 songs recently appearing on U.S. radio stations:

New Kids On The Block - Summertime
Katy Perry (pictured) - I Kissed A Girl
Maroon 5 f/ Rihanna - If I Never See Your Face Again
Shwayze f/ Cisco Adler - Buzzin'
Miley Cyrus - 7 Things
Lee Carr - Stilettos
David Cook - The Time Of My Life
Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up
Usher - Moving Mountains
Lesley Roy - I'm Gone, I'm Going
Boys Like Girls - Thunder
Rihanna - Disturbia
Jordin Sparks - One Step At A Time
Secondhand Serenade - Fall For You
Jonas Brothers - Burnin' Up
Menudo - Lost
Foreigner - Too Late
Mariah Carey - I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time



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