IDOL LIVE's Top 10 most memorable moments of 2008 - Part 1

IDOL LIVE has compiled a list of the 10 most memorable moments of 2008 in relation to everything Idol. Everything from joy to tragedy, odd to oddly a big deal are included in the countdown. The bottom five moments are listed below:

10) Jordin Sparks makes waves at MTV's Video Music Awards

Jordin Sparks had a big year in terms of success and opportunities to wow audiences, from her Grammy nomination to the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XLII. One of her more contentious moments, however, was when she came to the defense of The Jonas Brothers at MTV's 2008 Video Music Awards after host Russell Brand lambasted them in his opening monologue for promising chastity until marriage.

Jordin retorted when it was her turn to present an award, saying that people wear purity rings because "not everyone wants to be a slut," which set off a firestorm of praise and criticism on from everyone, whether on morning shows, blogs or mainstream media outlets. Jordin eventually appeared on FOX News Channel's Hannity & Colmes to clarify her statement.

09) Contestants' pasts come back to haunt them

2008 was the year that the term "plant" took on a whole new meaning. As soon as the Top 24 was announced, stories emerged on certain contestants' musical backgrounds, many of whom had previously been signed to major label deals and released albums. Carly Smithson was the largest target after it was revealed that she only managed to sell 300 copies of her album Ultimate High while on MCA Records as Carly Hennessy despite a $2 million promotional price tag.

Other finalists that had record deals before joining the show with either major or indie labels were Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Brooke White and David Cook, while some like David Archuleta had appeared on talent shows like Star Search.

And then there was David Hernandez, whose stripper past overshadowed his short stay on Idol in similar fashion to the media's fascination with Antonella Barba's racy pics from last year.

If history is any indication, we are only going to see more of the same with the next crop of hopefuls.

08) Michael Johns ousted in "cruel shocker" on "Idol Gives Back"

Australia's Michael Johns was considered by many to be the frontrunner for the title of American Idol winner 2008. But when it came time for the results to be read on "Idol Gives Back" night, everyone seemed to be doubting the warning issued from Ryan that someone would indeed be leaving, unlike the "surprise" that kept Jordin Sparks from going home the same night the previous year (although Jordin did not have the lowest vote totals anyway and was never in danger).

But when the results were read and Ryan held out the possibility that once again the lowest vote-getter would be spared, it was like a dagger to the heart for many fans when he said that Michael would indeed by leaving. This generated much criticism of Ryan from the media for being "cruel." While the fact that Michael was ousted when he was did not put this moment on the countdown on its own, the way it was carried out by all those involved and the circumstances were enough to make this the eighth most memorable Idol moment of 2008.

07) Big changes announced for Season 8

After signs that America's #1 show was waning in popularity became too blatant to ignore, the executives behind Idol announced some sizable changes for the upcoming season of the show, beginning with the firing/departure of executive producer Nigel Lythgoe.

Lythgoe's exit was followed closely by Kara DioGuardi's entrance, as the songwriter was hired as a fourth judge. More substantial changes to the show were announced in December, with the establishment of a Top 36 instead of a Top 24, the bringing back of the popular Wildcard round and the slashing of the "Idol Gives Back" special.

Hopefully these changes are enough to reignite the spark that has been slowly waning in regards to the excitement factor of the show.

06) Paula Abdul flubs her lines on Idol

It was the single most horrific train wreck Idol had ever seen (until Fantasia's screamfest of a performance a few weeks later). Paula Abdul mysteriously critiqued Jason Castro's second song before he had even sung it, sending the contestants, the judges and the millions watching at home into a frenzied confusion. Apparently Paula could not handle the quick adaptations television can prompt its stars to make when under the gun of fitting everything into an hour or two.

But it caused more than just a brief bit of confusion. It reignited the long held suspicion by many that Idol is in fact rigged. Even after many apologies were issued by Paula, her coworkers and the show's execs, there still lingered a feeling that all was not right in the state of California. But just as it has done with the countless other controversies that have emerged, the show weathered the storm and more or less so did Paula's seemingly bulletproof reputation. It is going to take a lot to finally bring her down.

Stay tuned for the remainder of IDOL LIVE's Top 10 most memorable moments of 2008, as moments #5-1 will be revealed tomorrow. Do you agree with the choices for moments #10-6?