'Idol' odds 'n ends: Paula Abdul says Howard Stern "hates" 'Idol'

The following are Idol-related odds and ends that happened this week:

>A lot of Idol alums were dishing their two cents on the rampant rumors that Howard Stern would be replacing Simon Cowell, and Paula Abdul refused to sit herself out of the discussion. When TMZ caught up with her earlier today, she had a few things to say about her matter. Watch her comments below:

Paula's remark that Stern "hates the show" is pretty strong, but she's probably right. Countdown to Paula being bashed on his Siruis radio show in 3...2...1...

>Kelly Clarkson continued her streak of outspokenness when she subliminally dissed her record label, RCA Records, and the "men in suits" she's had to work with all these years at the opening night of her European tour. Watch her speak to fans candidly about the remaining two albums in her six-album contract below:




Kelly performed at the Manchester Apollo in Manchester, UK, on Sunday. She will next perform in concert tomorrow at O2 Birmingham Academy in Birmingham, UK.

>Jason Castro got some nice promotion for his upcoming debut album release, as his current single "Let's Just Fall In Love Again" is featured in Overstock.com's latest commercial. Watch the ad below:




Jason excitedly tweeted about the commercial. After releasing The Love Uncompromised - EP in January, Jason's self-titled album will be out April 13.

>Jordin Sparks was one of many female celebrities to strut her stuff on the catwalk at last night's Heart Truth's Red Dress Fashion Show in New York City in support of Heart Disease Awareness Month.

Jordin and her fellow female celebs were all decked out in red dresses to raise awareness for the special occasion.

Other celebrities to walk down the runway included Kristin Chenoweth, Kim Kardashian, Estelle, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Robin Roberts and Raven Symone among others.

>Kimberly Caldwell has been hitting the pavement in support of her forthcoming debut album Without Regret, and her appearances on HLN's The Joy Behar Show was just her latest venue to dish on all things pop culture. Watch her serve as a panelist in the following collection of clips from Monday's episode:




Joy Behar has been making the inclusion of Idol alums on her talk show a regular habit as of late, as Katharine McPhee will appear on the show tonight and Ayla Brown will tape a segment for Monday's episode.

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'Idol' odds 'n ends: Diana, Eric the Midget & Stern unite!

The following are Idol-related odds and ends that happened this week:

>It was a grand ol' time when Diana DeGarmo, Eric the Midget and Howard Stern all met together in Stern's studio on his Sirius satellite radio program on Mon., Nov. 3. This was the first meeting of the three all in person, and the first time Diana was able to respond to the incessant talk about her between Eric and Stern and his crew that has carried on for the past two years. Watch a clip of the exchange on HowardTV.

>It was announced this week that the two-hour premiere of the eighth season of Idol (already?) will be Tues., Jan 13 at 8 p.m. ET. Can't wait.

>Carrie Underwood made the cover of Elle magazine for the Dec. 2008 issue. In the issue, Carrie apologizes for the comments she made about ex-boyfriend Tony Romo, saying she's "just not about drama...at all." Not to be outdone, Carly Smithson and Michael Johns had a photo shoot in the same issue.

>Justin Guarini will fulfill the token Idol alum on the third season of CMT's Gone Country. Following the shadow of Diana DeGarmo (Season 1) and Mikalah Gordon (Season 2), Justin will appear with such has-beens as Taylor Dayne, former Miss USA Tara Connor and George Clinton. The season premieres in January 2009.

>Chris Daughtry will be one of many celebrities to appear at Alicia Keys' annual Black Ball fund-raiser in New York City on Thurs., Nov. 13. The benefit will raise money for the Keep a Child Alive foundation.

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