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April 2016

April 08, 2016

Carrie Underwood Celebrates the Power of Baptism on “American Idol” Finale

(Artwork/Photo property of Fox) On last night's series finale of "American Idol" (yes, it pains...

April 06, 2016

As “American Idol” Says Farewell, A Look Back at the God Factor in Contestants’ Lives

(Photo property of Fox) If God were a regular TV watcher, I suspect "American Idol"...

March 2016

March 18, 2016

Could a Catholic School Graduate Win the Farewell Season of “American Idol”?

(Photo property of Fox) On last night's "American Idol," viewers got to see videos featuring...

March 04, 2016

Go Rest High on That Mountain

One of the things the TV landscape will be losing when "American Idol" ends its...

February 2016

February 26, 2016

Kelly Clarkson Makes “American Idol” a Family Affair, Calls on Men to Be Devoted Dads

A seven-months-pregnant Kelly Clarkson served as a guest judge on "American Idol" last night and...

March 2015

March 24, 2015

Blue Hair Ain’t Just for Old Ladies Anymore (& Other “American Idol” Musings)

(All photos property of Fox and American Idol) One of the noveltys on "American Idol"...

March 04, 2015

UPDATE: Kelly Clarkson on Sexual Imagery, Curt Schilling on Bullies, & “House of Cards” on Jesus

A few quick observations on topics in the news today: 1. Since winning "American Idol"...

January 2015

January 15, 2015

Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban Duet on “Beverly Hillbillies” Theme

Last night's "American Idol" included an accordion player, a banjo player, yodeling, and Harry Connick...

November 2014

November 18, 2014

Look to Him for Your Sight and Find Something Divine Inside

Two-time "Christopher Closeup" guest and "American Idol" alum Brooke White posted a new song online...

August 2014

August 03, 2014

UPDATE: Michael Johns Brought Soul to “American Idol.” Now May His Soul Rest in Peace

There's no shortage of stories that make you realize how fragile life is. That fact...

June 2014

June 16, 2014

Superstars Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman Duet on “Amazing Grace” at Children’s Hospital

Keith Urban has always come across as a genuinely nice guy during his two judging...

May 2014

May 05, 2014

Role Models, Celebrities Behaving Admirably, & Patheos’s Fifth Anniversary

Now that "Star Wars Day" is over (May the 4th be with you), it's time...

February 2014

February 24, 2014

Harry Connick Jr. Kicks Into ‘Dad Mode’ Again After Contestant’s Sexually Suggestive Song

Since I've been watching the Olympics for the past two weeks, my "American Idol" viewing...

January 2014

January 27, 2014

UPDATE: Overcoming Troubles Leads to Life, Hope and a Grammy Award

I just read that former "Christopher Closeup" guest Mandisa won her first ever Grammy Award...

January 23, 2014

Harry Connick Jr. Goes to Confession

In a previous blog post, I looked at the Catholic backgrounds of 2014 "American Idol"...

January 17, 2014

“American Idol’s” Catholic Judging Panel

It's well-known that the United States Supreme Court includes a number of Catholic judges. But...

October 2013

October 17, 2013

The Condition of Our Hearts Affects the Way We See: An Interview with Danny Gokey

“Fear and faith have one thing in common: they both ask you to believe in...

June 2013

June 27, 2013

Can Music Heal a Broken Family: A Review of the Hallmark Channel’s “Banner 4th of July”

Most Hallmark Channel movies attempt to convey a sense of uplift, poignancy or inspiration strictly...

May 2013

May 17, 2013

“American Idol” winner Candice Glover and Other Women Who Derive Their Self-Worth from God

Candice Glover was crowned the winner of "American Idol" season 12 last night - and...

January 2013

January 07, 2013

2012: A Blog Year in Review

Happy Belated New Year to Everybody! After three weeks of being largely offline, it's taking...

December 2012

December 11, 2012

Two “Idols” Celebrate the Savior: Christmas Music & Conversation with Scotty McCreery and Brooke White

Christopher Closeup Podcast - Guests: 1) Scotty McCreery, 2) Brooke White, Part 1 Christopher Closeup...

October 2012

October 18, 2012

Realizing I’m Broken Gives God Room to Work: A Conversation with American Idol’s Colton Dixon

There’s a short list of people who can say that Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and...

March 2012

March 29, 2012

Brief Thoughts on “American Idol” and “Touch”

1. There was an interesting emotional moment on "American Idol" last night during Stevie Nicks'...

March 28, 2012

David Archuleta’s Farewell

Though we practice different faiths, I can't help but admire David Archuleta's decision to step...

March 01, 2012

The Harmony of ‘Jack and White’

Harmony in modern music - as in modern life - can sometimes be elusive. Thankfully,...