American Idol (2002– )
"American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (original title)

Twelve finalists and/or future singers (six men and six women) who were selected from America, compete in a talent contest in which they were asked to sing any song they like on this "Star ... See full summary »

Creator:

Simon Fuller

Stars:

Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell

Won 8 Primetime Emmys. Another 36 wins & 106 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Ryan Seacrest	...	Himself - Host (429 episodes, 2002-2013)
Randy Jackson	...	Himself - Judge (429 episodes, 2002-2013)
Simon Cowell	...	Himself - Judge (314 episodes, 2002-2010)
Paula Abdul	...	Herself - Judge (272 episodes, 2002-2010)

Storyline

Twelve finalists and/or future singers (six men and six women) who were selected from America, compete in a talent contest in which they were asked to sing any song they like on this "Star Search" clone. After each song that was sung, the judges, Abdul, Jackson and Cowell, then critique that finalist's chosen song. After each show's ending, America must vote for a finalist to whom they really think their performance is good using this AT&T (now Cingular Wireless) or any other cellular phone to cast votes with. Once the votes are locked in, the judges and America decides who has the most and the least amount of votes, and the contestant with the least amount of votes is eliminated, and it goes on each week's show until the winner is crowned as "American Idol," where he/she wins a recording contract worth up to $1,000,000. The rest of the other finalists to whom they have been voted off before (the runner-up) also get recording contracts, too.

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Plot Keywords:

manufactured pop | based on british tv series | singing | audition | music reality | 

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Taglines:

Thousands audition... Millions vote.... One wins.

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Genres:

Game-Show | Music | Reality-TV

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Fox Broadcasting Company [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 June 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

American Idol 10

Filming Locations:

Alex Theatre - 216 N. Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fremantle Media North America, Fremantle Media, 19 Television

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Top 12 Rankings (2007):

• Winner: Jordin Sparks,
• 2nd place: Blake Lewis,
• 3rd place: Melinda Doolittle,
• 4th place: Lakisha Jones,
• 5th place: Chris Richardson,
• 6th place: Phil Stacey,
• 7th place: Sanjaya Malakar,
• 8th place: Haley Scarnato,
• 9th place: Gina Glocksen,
• 10th place: Chris Sligh,
• 11th place: Stephanie Edwards,
• 12th place: Brandon Rogers

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Quotes

[says this catchphrase everytime before the intro credits begin]
Ryan Seacrest: This... is "American Idol"!

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Crazy Credits

Portions of this program not affecting the outcome have been edited.

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Connections

Version of Cesko slovenská superstar (2009)

User Reviews

Gives "Reality" TV a whole new meaning.

If it weren't for Simon Cowell, I have to wonder how many people would watch this show. I admit this says something of my character, but he's the reason I watch this show. His blunt matter of fact, tell-it-like-is approach to telling the unvarnished truth to the no-talent wannabes who audition is something I find very refreshing. Especially when their egos and attitudes are directly proportional to the extent that they suck -- meaning the more they suck, the more ego and attitude they tend to have. (Not with all, but certainly a lot of them) Then there are others who don't have attitude and are devastated by criticism and can be seen in tears later, and even if they were bad I feel a little sorry for them. But that's simply the reality, of the music business and if these kids can't handle it, then they shouldn't be trying to forge a career as a musical artist.

That's reality, and Simon gives them this much needed reality check. It's reality TV in every sense of the word.