'Idol' odds 'n ends: New 'Idol' commercial hits airwaves

>FOX began airing a new promo for the ninth season of American Idol this week. Watch it below:

Considering it's FOX, this TV spot isn't all that bad. Still, if there was ever a show that could make a splash with a cheesy ad, Idol's definitely got that title. Expect to see this in heavy rotation in the coming week, especially during football games.

>Amazon.com posted a behind the scenes video of Katharine McPhee on the online retailer's page for her forthcoming album Unbroken (Jan. 5, 2010) called "To NYC and Back: It's a Wrap." In the video, Katharine is shown filming her video for "Had It All," recording in the studio and just goofing off in general. Watch the video below:



Katharine had a busy week, as she spent two hours of her time on Wednesday at one of the "12 Stops of Christmas" by the 5 Buck Music Truck in LA. Proceeds from the event benefited City of Hope, a research, treatment and education center for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

>Jennifer Hudson's Christmas special Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home For Christmas aired Monday night on ABC, marking the second Idol-related holiday special to air on network television in one week. The special featured Jennifer returning to her hometown of Chicago, where she performed at various spots throughout the one-hour program. Watch the first part of the special below:



Some of the songs Jennifer performed include "This Christmas," "Silent Night" and a duet of "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" with Michael Buble. Jennifer also briefly mentioned her family tragedy and how now more than ever it's important for her family to stay close this Christmas.

>The latest issue of SELF magazine features Carrie Underwood on the cover in addition to an inside story on a host of topics, one of which is a future family. Carrie says:

“Not that I have a husband to have one with yet, but someday I’d like a family—not a big one, but not a small one either. Two kids is good; three is fine. Four? Somebody’s getting something done, because we ain’t having five!"

The issue will be available for purchase nationwide on Tues., Dec. 22.

>Kris Allen is an unlikely target for the paparazzi, but they managed to catch up with him the other day to pester him with questions about none other than...Tiger Woods? Watch the clip below to hear everything in context:

Good for Kris not giving the photogs anything to make a story out of despite keeping a smile on his face, which is a tactic that will serve him well in the future.