American Idol

American Idol is a famous talent show where many people compete on live TV to see who can win. After passing the trials with the three judges, the finalists compete live to earn the viewers' votes. Whoever wins becomes the next American Idol. It is one of the longest-running American talent shows along with Star Search.

Premise
Each season premiered with the audition round, taking places in different cities. The audition episodes typically features a mix of potential finalists, interesting characters and woefully inadequate contestants. Each successful contestant received a golden ticket to proceed on to the next round on Hollywood. Based on their performances during the Hollywood round (Las Vegas round for season 10 onward) 24 to 36 contestants were selected by the judges to participate in the semifinals. From the semifinals onward the contestants performed their songs live, with the judges making the critiques after each performance. The contestant were voted for by the viewing public, and the outcome of the public votes was then revealed in the results show typically on the following night. The results shows featured groups performances by the contestants as well as guest performers. The top-three results show also featured the homecoming events for the Top 3 finalists. The season reaches its climax in a two-hour results finale show, where the winner of the season was revealed.

With the exception of seasons one and two, the contestants in the semifinalists onwards performed in front of a studio audience. They performed with a full band in the finals. From season four to season nine, the "American Idol" band was led by Rickey Minor, from season ten onwards, Ray Chew. Assistance may also have be given by vocal coaches and song arranges, such as Michael Orland and Debra Byrd to contestants behind the scene. Starting with season seven, contestants may perform with a musical instrument from the Hollywood rounds onwards. In the first nine seasons, performances were usually aired live on Tuesday nights, followed by the results shows on Wednesday in the United States and Canada, but moved to Wednesday and Thursday since season ten.

Spinoffs
Idol Christmas - is a Christmas television special for the TV shows: American Idol, American Juniors and Canadian Idol but mostly focuses on American Idol.

Idol Gives Back - a special charity event started in season six featuring performances by celebrities and various fund raising initiatives. This event was also held in season seven and nine and has raised nearly $185 million in total.

Idol Extra - a television show on the FOX Reality Channel and Star! and commonly billed as "the show that picks up right where "American Idol" leaves off". The series features the first full-length interview with the most recent eliminated contestant and various "behind-the-scenes" material. Hosted by Jillian Reynolds and Ace Young.

American Idol Rewind - a syndicated television series that ran from September 30, 2006 until May 15, 2010. The hour-long series was a repurposed edition of the hit reality series featuring present day interview with the contestants, semi-finalists and rejected auditions in addition to extra audition, Hollywood Week and finals footage never previously aired. it featured the first five seasons of the original series.

Potential NBC/FOX Reboot
In 2017, FremantleMedia was once in negotiation to reboot the show for either its original network (FOX) or for its new home (NBC) according to an article from Variety.com (originally posted on February 9, 2017) However, because of a dispute between the show's producer, Fremantle and Core Media Group it was later reported that the reboot will not be moving forward.

ABC Reboot
It has recently been announced that ABC will revive American Idol this year. No word yet on hosts or judges, nor if Ryan Seacrest will be coming back. Additionally, the network made its bid to be slated to return in March 2018.

Katy Perry was recently named one of the new judges for the new show.

Judges
Simon Cowell (2002-2010, left for the US version of X Factor)

Randy Jackson (2002-2013)

Paula Abdul (2002-2009, joined Simon on X Factor)

Kara DioGuardi (2009–2010)

Ellen DeGeneres (2010)

Jennifer Lopez (2011–2012, 2014-2016)

Steven Tyler (2011–2012)

Mariah Carey (2013)

Nicki Minaj (2013)

Keith Urban (2013-2016)

Harry Connick, Jr. (2014-2016)

Winners

 * Season 1 - Kelly Clarkson
 * Season 2 - Ruben Studdard
 * Season 3 - Fantasia Barrino
 * Season 4 - Carrie Underwood
 * Season 5 - Taylor Hicks
 * Season 6 - Jordin Sparks
 * Season 7 - David Cook
 * Season 8 - Kris Allen
 * Season 9 - Lee DeWyze
 * Season 10 - Scotty McCreery
 * Season 11 - Phillip Phillips
 * Season 12 - Candice Glover
 * Season 13 - Caleb Johnson
 * Season 14 - Nick Fradiani
 * Season 15 - Trent Harmon

Notable American Idol Contestants
Kelly Clarkson

Adam Lambert

Justin Guarini

Ruben Studdard

Jennifer Hudson

Clay Aiken

Carrie Underwood

Fantasia Barrino

Jordin Sparks

Chris Daughtry

Inventor
Based on the British show Pop Idol by Simon Fuller.

In Popular Culture

 * Idol was parodied on Sesame Street as "The American I". The judges had to find the real American "I", or in this case, the letter I. The judges choose Prairie Dawn, the host, instead.
 * Idol was also parodied on MadTV. The judges made appearances on the show. Idol was parodied twice on MadTV.
 * On the FOX show, The Lang Report, American Idol was parodied as "All Star American Idol" where celebrities dressed up as other singing artists.
 * Idol was mentioned in the 2015 film Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip where The Chipettes were the guest judges.

Other Trivia
At Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum in New York City, there was an exhibit in the museum called "American Idol at Madam Tussaud's". The exhibit was similar to the show but it had karaoke singing on it. The judges were shown but they were realistic animatronics.

Spin-Offs & Similar Shows
American Juniors — Spin Off show with kids shown in 2001.

Idol Puerto Rico - Version for Puerto Rico

Idol Kids Puerto Rico - Puerto Rican version of American Juniors

World Idol - World version

America's Got Talent

Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento

The X Factor

Links
Official Site

Main Wiki