American Idol

Simon Cowell got put on blast when a paparazzo dared to bring up the "M" word while Simon's girlfriend, Lauren Silverman, was feet away -- and you gotta see the ex-'Idol' judge's reaction.

Truth is ... this clip is weird all around. Cowell was partying at Ago in West Hollywood after the "American Idol" finale, but did NOT seem like the guy America came to love/hate.

He talked about crappy old 'Idol' wannabes, replacing Howard Stern and even baby diapers -- and not ONE negative word from the guy ... until the whole marriage thing came up.

Two people responsible for putting "American Idol" on the map are definitely returning for the final shows, and we don't mean Kelly Clarkson and Simon Cowell.

Yes, they'll be there too ... but more importantly, original 'Idol' co-host Brian Dunkleman will open the show and crowd favorite William Hung will sing on Thursday's series finale ... TMZ has learned.

That's not all ... we're told the show's trying to bring back every 'AI' winner and most of the top 3 from all 15 seasons for a big performance. No small feat, considering some of the superstars that would involve.

Clarkson's appearance will be pre-taped since she's about to pop with baby number 2.

On the host side ... we're told Simon's a shoo-in -- along with Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson -- even though he's claimed it wouldn't fit in his schedule.

We're told the plan is he'll surprise Ryan Seacrest. Oops.

The usually flawless Jennifer Lopez finally made a questionable wardrobe decision during a recent taping of "American Idol."

The color screams failed bridesmaid dress -- and it's way too loose on her -- but thankfully the curves underneath are still 100% Jenny from the block.

Kelly Clarkson was a trooper Wednesday, braving the crowds and the 80 degree heat as she trudged through Disneyland ... 9 months pregnant!

Kelly hit all the hots spots ... Small World, Autopia, Tomorrowland, the works. She had a VIP handler but no entourage.

Kelly's due any day. What we don't know ... whether she's walking a lot to induce labor.

Assuming all the walking didn't do the trick, she's supposed to appear as a guest judge and performer Thursday night on "American Idol."

Clay Aiken went on an incredibly bitchy tirade Wednesday night, zeroing in on "American Idol," the show that made him famous and gave him opportunities.

The second place, second season contestant went on a Twitter rant, starting with a high school-like diss ... "Watching @americanidol for the first time in a decade," suggesting he's been too busy.

He goes on ... "Well .... now I know why the ratings are down."

It didn't stop there ... Aiken mused, "Oh good Lord ... those boring ass responses from the judges? Where is Simon when you need him. That guy need a hook to pull him off stage."

And then there's this ... "I've watched root canals more entertaining than these judges."

And he ends this way ... "When your favorite team that you've cheered for years happens to play a s****y game, you're absolutely allowed to be upset by it." Interesting he's cheered, because he started by saying he hasn't bothered to watch the show in 10 years.

Gratitude ... it's not for everyone.

4:35 PM PST -- Joey tells TMZ she had the marijuana to treat her epilepsy. She apologizes to her fans for any inconvenience caused from the arrest and says she'll be more cautious of state laws when traveling in the future. Joey says she'll be at her show in Denver tonight.

"American Idol" contestant Joey Cook just got served by the long arm of the law ... getting busted for weed in a Wyoming airport.

Cook was arrested early Friday morning in Rock Springs, WY for possession of marijuana. She spent a brief 5 hours in jail before getting in front of the judge. Court officials tell us Joey paid a $240 fine and was put on 12 months of probation.

TSA found the pot in her luggage as she was trying to fly outta town. She's on tour and has a show in Denver Friday night.

Joey finished in 7th place on the last season of the show.

Marque Lynche -- the former Mouseketeer found dead in his apartment -- got into a bizarre fight with an NYPD officer ... just a few months before he passed away.

The ex-Mouseketeer and former "American Idol" semi-finalist illegally jumped a subway turnstile back in August and when cops approached him ... he lashed out, punching one of them in the face and smashing him in the head with a bottle of soda.

Lynche was charged with assault. There's no mention of drugs or alcohol in the police docs.

One of Britney Spears and Ryan Gosling's former 'All New Mickey Mouse Club' co-stars was found dead in his NYC apartment ... TMZ has learned.

According to law enforcement sources Marque "Tate" Lynche's roommate found him on Sunday afternoon. He was only 34 years old. The medical examiner's office conducted an exam of the body on Monday, but hasn't determined a cause of death yet.

Lynche was a Mousketeer from 1993 to 1995 -- and shared the camera with Britney, Ryan, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. He later appeared on Season 3 of "American Idol" and made it to the semi-finals.

Some "American Idol" alums play Madison Square Garden ... Corey Clark drives an Uber.

Our photog spotted Clark behind the wheel of what looks like an UberX in Bev Hills. Corey made it seem he was going to an important meeting, but the big sticker in the window suggested otherwise ...

He eventually comes around. Hey, who needs Madison Square Garden when you got a Chevy?

Kanye West was so pumped and confident after performing for Prez Obama, he mustered up the courage to audition to become the very last American Idol.

Yeezy must have figured since he was in SFO anyway, why not go down the road where JLo, Harry Connick, Jr. and Keith Urban, who were holding auditions for their show.

Kanye performed as Kim Kardashian memorialized it all on camera.

The judges made it look like it was all one big surprise, and it might have been ... but then again, it wouldn't hurt ratings to watch Kim's hubby on "A.I."

Goin' out with a bang.

Former "American Idol" contestant Corey Clark's arrest was the result of a conspiracy -- set in place by his estranged wife and her detective stepfather ... at least that's what Clark is claiming now.

Clark got busted September 23 in Yuma, AZ, and was eventually charged with misdemeanor domestic violence. But Tuesday in L.A. he told us the whole thing was a revenge plot.

Clark says he'd filed a report against Monica Clark just prior to his arrest, claiming she was violating their child custody agreement. Clark thinks it's no coincidence he was arrested right after that, especially because his wife's stepfather is a Yuma PD detective.

We've reached out to Yuma PD for a response ... so far, no word back.

Simon Cowell is still transfixed by his girlfriend ... or at least her boobs.

Simon and Lauren Silverman were at a fancy event in London, at the Dorchester hotel no less, when they posed for this pic.

More power to you Simon ... and Lauren.

5:50 PM PT -- Police reviewed the case and changed the charge to misdemeanor domestic violence.He's still facing a felony for aggravated harassment.

Corey Clark -- the season 2 "American Idol" contestant who was famously rumored to have had an affair with Paula Abdul -- was arrested Wednesday night for felony domestic violence.

Clark was cuffed by Yuma, Arizona cops and is currently behind bars at the Yuma County Detention Center.

In addition to the felony domestic violence charge, Clark was also booked for aggravated harassment and failure to comply. We don't know the nature of the relationship between Clark and the alleged victim.

Clark is due in court Thursday afternoon.

Clark sued Fox after he was dropped from the show for not disclosing a prior arrest. He had been arrested after a scuffle with his sister. He pleaded no contest.

John Mayer's ex-manager plotted to jack "American Idol" champ Phillip Phillips out from under his contract with the show -- according to a new lawsuit, but the bigger news is Phil is a freakin' millionaire!

In the suit ... 19 Entertainment, the management company for all 'Idol' singers, claims Michael McDonald (not the singer or the actor) gave Phillips the opening act gig on a John Mayer tour back in 2013, and spent that time cozying up to him.

McDonald has a management company called Mick Management -- and in the docs, 19 Ent. says McDonald lured Phillips to sign ... partially out of desperation because founding client Mayer was bailing.

Cut to December 2014 ... when Phillips informed 'Idol' he wanted out of his contract, presumably to jump ship to Mick Management.

19 Ent. isn't giving up its cash cow without a fight, because while some people think Phillips has been a commercial failure -- 19 Ent. points out he reportedly netted about $5 million in 2013 and even more in 2014.

And that's for a guy who's only had one major hit and one moderate hit!

Bottom line, Phil's 'Idol' overlords want at least $4 million from McDonald for poaching their guy.

It's better to leave a little early than a little late ... so says former "American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe ... who agrees it was time to put the legendary show to bed.

We got Nigel in New York City ... just hours after the news broke that FOX was pulling the plug on 'AI' after one more season.

Lythgoe -- who was EP during the show's heyday -- was a little surprised, but says bowing out now ... will actually enhance the show's legacy. Watch, his theory makes sense.

As they say in rock and roll: Better to burn out, than fade away.

Speaking of which ... Season one co-host Brian Dunkelman couldn't resist reacting to Idol's demise.

"American Idol" -- once the king of all reality shows and the godfather of shows like "The Voice" and "The X Factor" -- will be sent off to pasture in 2016. It was 15 seasons old.

"Idol" began in 2002 and at its height averaged 30 million viewers a season. The show introduced Simon Cowell to the United States and made Ryan Seacrest a household name.

Among the singers who owe their careers to the show: Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino and Taylor Hicks. "Idol" even briefly brought Paula Abdul back into the limelight.

Fact is ... on multiple levels it's one of the most successful shows in the history of television.

The final season of the show will begin next January.