John Kennedy of CanWest News Service interviews the second winner of Canadian Idol:

• Post-Idol Kalan puts mom first
  “By the time Porter was crowned Canadian Idol in 2004, previous winner Ryan Malcolm was already on his way to being the answer to a trivia question. “I think sometimes people assume that it’s going to be a guaranteed career,” says Porter, “and I think it’s just sort of that foot in the door, that jump start to a possible career.” But Porter had better luck than his predecessor. His multi-platinum first single, Awake in a Dream, propelled his debut album, 219 Days, to the top of the charts and sparked a virtually sold-out 65-stop tour. Porter earned three Juno nominations and a MuchMusic Video Award. Still, Porter says he had mixed feelings about Idol.”

From CTV:

Below is a chronological listing of July 20 – 31 programming highlights. All programming is subject to change (all times ET; visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times):

Friday, July 20
4 p.m. – Canadian Idol: All Access – SERIES PREMIERE – on The CTV Broadband Network at CTV.ca
Hosted by Canadian Idol reporter Dave Kerr, Canadian Idol: All Access is an extra night of Idol programming that sums up each week’s events by giving viewers unprecedented access to what happens beyond the television screen. All Access will focus on content that Canadian Idol doesn’t provide, with cameras recording the action before, during and after each performance and results shows.

Monday, July 23
9 p.m. – Canadian Idol
Canadian Idol continues as the Top 9 battle it out for the Idol crown.

Tuesday, July 24
9:30 p.m. – Canadian Idol
One member of the Top 9 goes home in tonight’s live results show, revealing the Top 8.

Thursday, July 26
4 p.m. – Canadian Idol: All Access – on The CTV Broadband Network at CTV.ca
All Access features the post-show journey that each competitor takes immediately after they are eliminated; a panel of pundits deliberate the week’s water cooler moments; and a hint at what the remaining competitors are working on for the following week.

Monday, July 30
9 p.m. – Canadian Idol
Enrique Iglesias – the biggest-selling Spanish-language singer in the world –coaches the Top 8 competitors in tonight’s “Unplugged” episode.

Tuesday, July 31
9:30 p.m. – Canadian Idol
Enrique Iglesias performs live on the Canadian Idol stage and one member of the Top 8 is sent home, revealing the Top 7.

From CTV:

• Enrique Iglesias to workshop with Top 8 competitors
  “Latino legend Enrique Iglesias — the biggest-selling Spanish-language singer in the world — will join Canadian Idol’s Top 8 competitors for an unplugged episode and live performance, CTV announced on Wednesday.”

From Sofi Papamarko of Chart Attack:

• Canadian Idol Update: Mila Miller’s Fate Is Signed, Sealed, Delivered
  Mila Miller was sent packing from Canadian Idol after the first individual elimination of the season on Wednesday evening.

From CTV:

• Rihanna advises Idols to work like they have a hit
  “I thought ‘if I can be an inspiration to these young people who want to be entertainers jus like I am then it’s a great cause,'” she said, adding that she also looks for any excuse to come back to Canada.

From the Regina Leader-Post:

• Express yourself, judges tell Regina singer
  “More than 2.5 million Canadian Idol fans voted following Tuesday night’s show and Regina’s Matt Rapley survived the first cut.”

From Nova News Now:

• Dwight d’Eon survives another week on Canadian Idol
  “The suspense of whether Dwight d’Eon would move forward to the Top 9 ended quickly Wednesday night as the West Pubnico singer and Tara Oram from Newfoundland were the first two competitors to be told they had survived the elimination round.”

From Reality TV Calendar:

• Canadian Idol: Signed, Sealed, Eliminated
  “Tonight we finally find out who will be in Canadian Idol’s coveted Top 10. This week, the men stepped it up and the ladies changed it up. Honestly, it’s anyone’s guess figuring out who will be in this year’s Top 10.”

From Sofi Papamarko of Chart Attack:

• Canadian Idol Update: #1 Hits And Misses
  “Kicking off the top 10 performance show, judge Zack Werner said that they were looking for the “unexpected wow factor.” Unfortunately for Werner and the rest of Canada, last night’s parade of adequate performances turned the show into a bit of a snooze fest.”

From the Canadian Press:

• Rihanna shows ‘Canadian Idol’ hopeful the ropes as one is sent packing
  “Chart-topping pop star Rihanna showed “Canadian Idol” hopefuls how it’s done Wednesday in a celebrity guest appearance that saw 17-year-old would-be diva Mila Miller kicked off the televised singing contest.”

From the Edmonton Sun:

• Canadian Idol to hit the road?
  “Idol host Ben Mulroney says bringing the finale to another city could be a great way to embrace ardent fans in other parts of Canada while giving Hogtown a kick in the pants.”