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  NBC to air Clay Aiken Christmas special on December 8

  November 18, 2004
  If you can't beat them, join them. Having watched Fox ride its American Idol series to ratings highs over the last three years, NBC has announced that it will broadcast A Clay Aiken Christmas, a one-hour holiday special showcasing Idol 2's extremely successful runner-up, on Wednesday, December 8 at 8PM ET.
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  Jennifer Hudson becomes the sixth 'American Idol' finalist to be eliminated

  April 22, 2004
  American Idol was hotter than the Copa on Tuesday night, as the remaining seven finalists performed songs from the Barry Manilow catalogue. Manilow joined the judges Tuesday in critiquing the performances, and last night he performed with the finalists. Then, during a shocking Wednesday live results show, it was announced that Jennifer Hudson, who was considered one of the favorites to win this season's contest, had been eliminated from the American Idol competition after receiving the fewest votes.
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  Jon Peter Lewis becomes the fifth 'American Idol' finalist to be eliminated

  April 16, 2004
  American Idol took the nation to the movies on Wednesday night, as the Top 8 finalists performed songs from their favorite films. Actor/director Quentin Tarantino joined the judges in critiquing the performances. During last night's live results show, it was announced that Jon Peter Lewis was eliminated from the American Idol competition after receiving the fewest votes.

• Clay Aiken fights to keep sexual "edge" out of 'Measure of a Man' CD - and wins

  October 7, 2003
  Time magazine reports that American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken and his record label, RCA Records, battled continually during the making of his debut CD Measure of a Man over both content and career direction. Clay’s goal, to produce an album free from both sexual innuendo and “edge,” was strongly resisted by RCA executives led by label chairman and music industry legend Clive Davis. However, Clay's CD, scheduled for release on October 14, ultimately came out "clean" -- the way that Clay wanted it.

• ABC's 'Extreme Makeover' returns with new episodes (and a new airtime) on Thursday, September 18

  September 17, 2003
  Following nationwide open casting calls and over 20,000 applicants, the first lucky individuals - Caroline, Catherine and Dan - were chosen for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to participate in "Extreme Makeover." The series of self-contained, one-hour episodes -- which will each feature people in their "before" phase, then as they undergo their various procedures and, finally, when the end results are revealed to their families and friends -- premieres on a new day and time, Thursday, September 18 (9-10 PM ET), on the ABC Television Network.

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