Fox TV's "American Idol" has a shortage of judges at the moment, but it's doing fine with would-be contestants. Nearly 50,000 people have turned out in the first four cities where tryouts have been held, according to series producers.

"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest said Tuesday that it could be weeks before the show's new judges are announced.

"America's Got Talent" judge Piers Morgan appears to be the front-runner to claim the CNN talk show long hosted by Larry King.

Larry King, who has interviewed statesmen and stars from a prime-time perch at CNN for 25 years but has seen his ratings sag recently, said Tuesday that he will step down this fall from his nightly show.

A man who stalked Ryan Seacrest was sentenced Monday to two years in state prison and ordered to stay away from the host of "American Idol" for 10 years.

Lee DeWyze, the bashful paint sales clerk championed early by the biting British judge on the Fox singing contest, was crowned "Idol" on Wednesday over single mother Crystal Bowersox.

The new "American Idol" is Lee DeWyze, a paint store clerk who overcame his shyness and prevailed over soulful Crystal Bowersox in the singing contest's ninth season.

The final competition of this season's "American Idol" was a lovefest, with Crystal Bowersox getting a big share of the affection Tuesday.

Casey James was cut Wednesday from "American Idol," leaving Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze to duke it out in the finale of the popular Fox singing competition next week.

Not enough "American Idol" viewers were inspired to vote for Tim Urban.

Crystal Bowersox was brought to tears Tuesday on "American Idol." The soulful, 24-year-old musician from Toledo, Ohio, was overcome with emotion at the conclusion of her moody rendition of The Impressions' "People Get Ready" on the Fox singing competition.

"American Idol" viewers were cruel to Andrew Garcia and Katie Stevens.

The soulful 26-year-old personal trainer and father from Queens, N.Y., was saved Wednesday by the judges on the ninth season of the Fox singing competition.

"American Idol" finalists Michael Lynche and Katie Stevens don't need any help from their friends.

Didi Benami has a reason to be brokenhearted on "American Idol." The 23-year-old waitress from Los Angeles was eliminated from the ninth season of the Fox singing competition Wednesday.