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

Creator:

Simon Fuller

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

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 | Singing Contest | Audition | Based On British TV Series | Manufactured Pop

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 22 wins & 52 nominations

Cast

Ryan Seacrest	...	Himself - Host (153 episodes, 2002-2008)
Simon Cowell	...	Himself - Judge / ... (153 episodes, 2002-2008)
Paula Abdul	...	Herself - Judge / ... (153 episodes, 2002-2008)
Randy Jackson	...	Himself - Judge / ... (153 episodes, 2002-2008)

Also Known As:

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

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:G (some episodes) | Malaysia:U | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Singapore:PG | 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:

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

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in The Fairly OddParents in Fairy Idol (2006) (TV)

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.