AY, MAY 23 **SEASON FINALE, PART 1**-"AMERICAN IDOL"-(8:00-9:00 PM Live ET/Tape-Delayed PT) CC-HDTV-In Stereo THE FINAL TWO BATTLE IT OUT FOR THE CROWN ON "AMERICAN IDOL" TUESDAY, MAY 23, ON FOX Tonight's Votes Determine the Next American Idol; Winner to be Revealed in Tomorrow Night's Two-Hour Finale On tonight's exciting performance show, the last of the season, the final two contestants will battle it out LIVE at the famed Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. One will be the next American Idol and one will go home. The Final 2 face the music on Part 1 of the season finale of AMERICAN IDOL Tuesday, May 23 (8:00-9:00 PM Live ET/tape-delayed PT) on FOX. (ID-533) (TV-G) WEDNESDAY, MAY 24 **2-HOUR SEASON FINALE, PART 2**-"AMERICAN IDOL"-(8:00-10:00 PM Live ET/Tape-Delayed PT) CC-HDTV-In Stereo THE WINNER IS CROWNED TONIGHT ON THE SEASON FINALE OF "AMERICAN IDOL" WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, ON FOX The most anticipated night of the television season is here! Two finalists, one American Idol - find out tonight who America has chosen. The Top 12 reunite on the Kodak Theatre stage one last time before the newest American Idol is crowned Wednesday, May 24 (8:00-10:00 PM Live ET/tape-delayed PT) on FOX.

Canadian pop singer Daniel Powter is set to thrill fans by appearing on the current season finale of talent show American Idol. The 30-year-old star will perform his hit single Bad Day, which has been the contest's closing tune this season on 23 May (06). One week before the end two finalists remain to battle it out for the title, Katherine McPhee and Taylor Hicks. Bad Day was also chosen by Coca-Cola as the theme tune to their European advertising campaign. Powter has plans for a mini-tour of North America scheduled to begin in July (06).

American Idol judge Paula Abdul has been accused of fabricating claims she was attacked at a private party earlier this month (02APR06). The former pop singer, who was enjoying a night out at Los Angeles hotspot Xenii, alleged Jim Lefkowitz "grabbed her by the arm and threw her against a wall", according to Los Angeles police spokeswoman April Harding. But Lefkowitz insists he has not been called in for questioning because Abdul's accusations are entirely unfounded. His lawyer Michael Nasatir tells PageSix, "The press accounts of the so-called altercation between Jim Lefkowitz and Paula Abdul at Xenii last Sunday morning are completely outrageous and utterly false. "Mr Lefkowitz did not have an argument with Ms Abdul nor did he have any physical contact with her whatsoever. He was merely an innocent bystander at an unfortunate incident." Abdul was said to have suffered concussion and spinal injuries as a result of the attack. Sources tell the website she concocted the elaborate story to cover up her eviction from the club for drunken behavior.

Pop star Prince's guest appearance on hit show American Idol appears unlikely after the star refused to meet with the show's contestants. Executives from the singer's record company had urged him to appear on the popular series to help maintain high album sales for his new release, 3121. The Purple Rain singer had been meeting with producers from the show, but the two sides failed to hammer out an agreement. Executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says, "I don't think so. "He did not want to talk with the kids and did not have the time."

American Idol producers are furious with Shakira, after she failed to attend a meeting with the contestants when she appeared on the series last week (29MAR06). The star made a guest appearance on the TV show with Wyclef Jean to perform their hit single Hips Don't Lie. American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe insists the singer was scheduled to meet with the contestants, but didn't bother to show up. He says, "Last week we had Shakira on and she didn't even meet with the kids. "She asked to meet with the contestants. She kept them waiting for half an hour and then didn't even bother getting off her a** and walking up the stairs. "The only thing Shakira taught them last week was how to have a big entourage and be discourteous."

NEW YORK, NY, April 6 /PRNewswire/ - And another one gets the axe. Mandisa Hundley's version of Shania Twain's "Any Man of Mine" during Tuesday's country music-themed performance was not enough to keep her on American Idol. Sportsbook.com bettors predicted her early exit as she received weak support of only 3.4% of all bets. Only Bucky Covington had fewer wagers on Sportsbook.com and this week's odds and betting sentiment suggest that he is the next to get the hook. At 70-1 and with only 0.9% per cent of bets the country crooner better pull off a show stopper if he wants to keep his Nashville dreams alive. Unchanged is the rivalry between top contenders Chris Daughtry at 7-5 and challenger Katharine McPhee at 13-5. Daughtry has the bettors support too - with 21.6% of Sportsbook.com wagers. McPhee follows with 17.0% and Taylor Hicks rounds out the top three at 12.4% and odds of 3-1. "American Idol fans are in control of this competition, not the judges. That was made clear last night with Mandisa leaving the show," said Alex Czajkowski, Marketing Director, Sportsbook.com. "Sportsbook.com bettors are enthusiastic fans, whether for basketball, baseball or reality television. The difference with American Idol is that fans have a direct impact on who will win." American Idol Season 5 (FOX) - Who Will Win? Odds Betting Trend Chris Daughtry 7-5 21.6% Katharine McPhee 13-5 17.0% Taylor Hicks 3-1 12.4% Kellie Pickler 6-1 8.7% Paris Bennett 15-1 10.0% Elliott Yamin 18-1 5.5% Ace Young 50-1 8.4% Bucky Covington 70-1 0.9% Rest 15.3% American Idol Season 5 (FOX) - Winner Will Be Male 5-9 45.9% Female 3-2 54.1% SOURCE Sportsbook.com

Beyonce Knowles' father Matthew has challenged American Idol judge Simon Cowell to a duel which will see the pair battle to create the hottest new female singer/group. Knowles is still smarting about comments Brit Cowell made about his chart-topping daughter last year (05). Acid-tongued Cowell described Beyonce as "not sexy" and "not a great singer". The American, who is his daughter's manager and put together Destiny's Child, made the challenge backstage during the live taping of Tuesday's (28FEB06) American Idol show after hearing another of Cowell's criticisms. Finalist Paris Bennett received rave reviews from judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul for her rendition of Beyonce's song Work it Out, but Cowell was less than impressed. He said, "I am sorry to put a damper on everything... You know what it reminded me of? It's like a little girl pretending to be Beyonce. Whoopee." Knowles fired back telling the New York Daily News, "I challenge him to put together a female group or female solo artist, and I will do the same, and then let the audience decide which is better. "It is even more clear to me that Simon wouldn't know a hit song, image or talent if it hit him in the face."