MTV Buzzworthy Blog › Justin-Guarini

No, not Justin TIMBERLAKE... Justin GUARINI... Remember? American Idol's first-ever runner-up, who cleared the paths for future runners-up like Clay Aiken and David Archuleta, both of whom would go on to totally eclipse him to degrees so extreme it's almost preposterous? THAT Justin Guarini! With the broccoli-shaped hair!

Well, while pulling photos for my epic Grammys fashion recap, I noticed that Justin Guarini was AT THE GRAMMYS, people! The 2009 Grammys. I know it's hard to believe he wasn't nominated, but he actually is still doing music... COUNTRY music. He's on the CMT show Gone Country 3, which means he's, um, gone country. I wish him all the luck in the world, but I also wish I had a copy of From Justin To Kelly to watch... Wait a second! I've got 99 cents!

Tags American Idol, Clay Aiken, David Archuleta, Grammys, Justin Timberlake, Justin-Guarini, Kelly Clarkson

We're still totally exhausted from watching the American Idol season premiere … did it really need to be four hours spread over two nights? We like laughing at the crazy and crappy singers just as much as the next guy, but sometimes, as Chris Daughtry rightfully pointed out, it's a bit much. What we really get into is watching the top 12 duke it out and placing our bets on who will be crowned the next Idol. But does winning really mean anything anymore?

In recent weeks, past winners Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard and season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee were all kicked to the curb by their record labels. For every Daughtry or Jennifer Hudson, there's a Justin Guarini or Constantine Maroulis or Diana DeGarmo or … well, you get the point. And, in last week's Entertainment Weekly, the show's executive producer clearly dissed all of the season 6 contestants, saying, "We had nobody outstanding." Um … we're guessing that this is news to Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis, who better hope their albums pick up some serious sales momentum fast or they could be axed next.  

As season 7 gets underway, we're wondering if there's another Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood waiting to be discovered. What do you think … is American Idol still the place to find gems or is it just a joke?

Tags American Idol, Blake Lewis, Carrie Underwood, Celebrity, Constantine Maroulis, Daughtry, Diana-DeGarmo, Jennifer-Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Justin-Guarini, Katharine McPhee, Kelly Clarkson, Music, Ruben-Studdard, Taylor-Hicks