My name is Mark Franklin.
I’ve been blogging about singing shows since American Idol Season 7.
In that time, I’ve watched Idol peak and wane in popularity. I’ve cheered the demise of Simon Cowell’s over-hyped and overblown The X Factor. I’ve tried to watch The Four on FOX and have never made it through an entire episode of Diddy’s disaster of a singing show. I hope I never have to try again.
Along the way, I became a big fan of The Voice (or at least artists on The Voice), with which NBC did what was once unthinkable — replacing Idol as the most entertaining singing show on TV.
And then producers did the unthinkable all over again, mucking the show up with so many gimmicks and mangling the format so badly that a resurgent Idol on ABC has regained that distinction. If you want to hear up-and-coming artists perform. Idol is again the show to watch.
Keep checking back and you’ll find live blogs when the shows air, predictions between shows and photo galleries.
I’ll also try my best to keep you posted on what former contestants are up to. But with 16 seasons of Idol and 15 seasons of The Voice in the books, there are a lot of them. So if I miss a new music release, don’t hesitate to give me a nudge.
You also can follow along on social media — here for American Idol: Twitter and Facebook; and here for The Voice — Twitter and Facebook.
And, please, if you disagree with anything you read … or, heck, even if you agree, feel free to comment. The more comments the better.
Hope you enjoy Idol Chatter / Voice Views. Feel free to email me at [email protected].
© Mark Franklin, Idol Chatter / Voice Views, 2008-2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Idol Chatter or Voice Views with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Featured Music
Luck of the Draw
Laci Kaye Booth, Top 5 on American Idol Season 17, recently dropped a new single. And if you somehow missed her 2024 album, "Loneliest Girl in the World," do yourself a favor and check it out!
The Voice Season 28 profiles
MORE BELOW
The Voice Season 28 Profiles
Conrad Khalil
Cori Kennedy
Daron Lameek
DEK of Hearts (Trio)
Dustin Dale Gaspard
Elias Gomez
Emmanuel Rey
Jack Austin
Jazz McKenzie
Kanard Thomas
Kayleigh Clark
Kenny Iko
Kirbi
Lauren Anderson
Letter to Elise
Leyton Robinson
Liam von Elbe
Lucas Beltran
Makenzie Phipps
Manny Costello
Marty O’Reilly
Max Chambers
Max Cooper III
Mindy Miller
Natalia Albertini
Peyton Kyle
Ralph Edwards
Revel Day
Rob Cole
Ryan Mitchell
Sadie Dahl
Shan Scott
Teo Ramdel
Toni Lorene
Trinity Giselle
Vinya Chhabra
Yoshihanaa (Ashton Beauchesne)
Archives
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Ousted singers talk about the American Idol experience
March 4, 2026 By Mark Franklin
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Song by song grades for the Top 8 on American Idol
April 29, 2024 By Mark Franklin -
Iam Tongi scores an Apple Music hit for American Idol
May 19, 2023 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for the Top 12 on The Voice
December 4, 2023 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for the Top 14 on American Idol
April 21, 2024 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for American Idol’s Top 24, Group 2
April 8, 2024 By Mark Franklin
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We haven’t heard the last from David Archuleta
February 21, 2011 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Hollie Cavanagh
January 30, 2012 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Jessica Sanchez
February 5, 2012 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Phillip Phillips
January 19, 2012 By Mark Franklin
Post-Voice Music
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A look at who should make the Top 20 on American Idol
March 7, 2026 By Mark Franklin -
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Song by song grades for the Top 8 on American Idol
April 29, 2024 By Mark Franklin -
Iam Tongi scores an Apple Music hit for American Idol
May 19, 2023 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for the Top 12 on The Voice
December 4, 2023 By Mark Franklin
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We haven’t heard the last from David Archuleta
February 21, 2011 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Hollie Cavanagh
January 30, 2012 By Mark Franklin
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