"American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002) TV series 2002-????

Creator:

Simon Fuller

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | unknown

Release Date:

11 June 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Game-Show | Music | Reality-TV

Tagline:

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

Plot:

Twelve finalists and/or future singers (six men and six women) who were selected from America, compete...

Plot Keywords:

American Idol | Pop Music | Based On British TV Series | Audition | Music Reality

Awards:

Won 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 29 wins & 70 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Jan. 12	8:00 PM	Fox
Wed. Jan. 13	8:00 PM	Fox

Cast

Ryan Seacrest	...	Himself - Host / ... (198 episodes, 2002-2010)
Simon Cowell	...	Himself - Judge / ... (198 episodes, 2002-2010)
Randy Jackson	...	Himself - Judge / ... (198 episodes, 2002-2010)
Paula Abdul	...	Herself - Judge / ... (194 episodes, 2002-2009)

Also Known As:

American Idol (USA) (new title)
American Idol 2 (USA) (promotional title)
American Idol 3 (USA) (alternative title)
American Idol 4 (USA) (fourth season title)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Malaysia:U | Singapore:PG | Australia:G (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | USA:TV-G | USA:TV-PG (audition segments)

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Fremantle Media North America

Trivia:

The rapping male nanny featured on the 2005 San Francisco auditions was actually comedian Chris Wylde in disguise. Wylde adopted a nerdy persona as a nanny, donned clunky black glasses and auditioned under his real name, Christopher Noll. Instead of singing, he performed a humorous original rap about judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and guest judge, Brandy. Abdul and Brandy praised his performance, which was panned by Cowell. After getting rejected, Wylde spewed out a mouthful of obscenities. According to the New York Post, Idol producers were unaware the audition was a stunt.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Paul O'Grady Show: (2009-04-30)" (2009)

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.