Blog Posts by Lyndsey Parker

Last night's "American Idol" top three show was one of the strongest "Idol" episodes in weeks, as all three finalists experienced magical moments onstage. But unfortunately, the offstage drama surrounding the judges (namely news that all four of them--including Randy Jackson, who actually quit "Idol" today--may be leaving the show) cast a pall over what should have been a triumphant homecoming week for Angie, Candice, and Kree.

Today, my "The Day After" co-host Matt Whitfield and I talk about last night's episode and make our predictions for which ladies will be the last two standing (or singing). Enjoy the "Idol" chatter!

photo: Michael Becker/FoxIt's the end of an era, dawg. After a dozen seasons of faithful (dawgged?) service, "American Idol's" only constant judge, Randy Jackson, is no longer in it to win it. Randy has confirmed to E! News that he will be leaving "Idol" after Season 12.

"Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on 'American Idol' I have decided it is time to leave after this season," Randy announced in his characteristically colorful manner. "I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It's been a life-changing opportunity, but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures."

Randy's announcement comes the day after The Wrap reported that Fox supposedly intends to fire all of the current judges (and maybe even longtime producer Nigel Lythgoe) next season--so it's possible that this is a case of Randy jumping before he is pushed. This news also comes right after Yahoo!'s Reality Rocks reported that Randy is no longer managing the career of fellow judge Mariah Carey.

I have mixed feelings about this news. It can be argued--and it has been argued, by me, many times

Sarah in the kitchen [photo: Justin Goode]Season 10 "American Idol" alum and cool food blogger Sarah Sellers has been posting her viewing-party snack recipes in Reality Rocks for two "Idol" seasons now, and she's back this year to get your mouth watering every night of Season 12.

This week's "Idol" has a homecoming theme, so Texas-based Sarah is inspired by her favorite down-home comfort food. "This is definitely a homey recipe for me," she says. "Nothing says comfort like some cheesy quesadillas!"

photo: Michael Becker/FoxOn Wednesday, "American Idol's" final three--Angie Miller, Candice Glover, and Kree Harrison--sang for a chance to compete in next week's big season finale. But much of their fate was not in their own hands. Each girl had to sing three songs, and--breaking from the tradition of past seasons' top three shows--they didn't get to choose any of the songs themselves.

Round one consisted of songs selected by in-house advisor Jimmy Iovine; round two was judges' picks (oh, why didn't someone film those deliberations?); and round three was producers' picks. During the first two rounds, the song choices pretty much made sense, but towards the end of the episode, one contestant was assigned a truly sabotaging song that all but assured that the third round would result in her going home in third place.

photo: Tyler Golden/NBCThis Wednesday, "The Voice" top 12 were announced on the first publicly voted live results show of Season 4. Well, at least I think it was publicly voted. While it wasn't a huge shock how the four teams ultimately turned out, there were still a couple of surprises. And the biggest surprise was that many of America's votes didn't count at all.

Last night, "The Voice" Season 4 Live Playoffs continued with Team Blake and Team Shakira, and while the overall episode wasn't as strong as Monday's, there were two contestants--Blake's Danielle Bradbery and Shakira's Sasha Allen--who stood out enough to seem like potential winners of this entire season. Maybe Team Adam isn't the team to beat, after all.

Mariah Carey has been managed by her fellow "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson since 2011, and he reportedly was instrumental in brokering her record-setting $18 million deal to join him at the "Idol" judges' table this year. But Mariah is no longer Randy's star managerial client, a source has confirmed.

Sarah Sellers [photo: Justin Goode]Season 10 "American Idol" alum and cool food blogger Sarah Sellers has been posting her viewing-party snack recipes in Reality Rocks for two "Idol" seasons now, and she's back this year to get your mouth watering every night of Season 12.

Tonight, the top three "Idol" finalists will be singing three songs each: a producers' choice, a judges' choice, and a choice by in-house mentor Jimmy Iovine. So Sarah is going rogue and just serving up her own choice of favorite snack. Enjoy!