The History of American Idol

American Idol is the US version of British TV hit show Pop Idol. American Idol is featured on the Fox Network in the United States, and other versions of the show are broadcast on CTV in Canada (Canadian Idol), and Australian Idol on Ten Network in Australia. Pop Idol/Amercan Idol was created by Simon Fuller (creator of the Spice Girls and S Club 7) and Simon Cowell, the latter being one of the judges on both Pop Idol and American Idol. American Idol is singing talent contest in which viewers can call in and vote on contestants to determine the best “undiscovered” young singer in the United States, with the winner receiving a major record deal, although many runners-up — most of the top twelve of each season — have achieved enough fame and popularity to sign record deals of their own.

American Idol is produced by Fremantle North America which is owned by German Bertelsmann. Each contestant gets a contract with one of Bertelsmann’s many music labels because Bertelsmann owns half of Sony BMG.

n the show, hosted by Ryan Seacrest (lone host since season 2), hopeful contestants, after being screened by preliminary panels which select for singing talent or humorous potential and human interest, audition before three judges (Simon Cowell (one of the judges from Pop Idol), Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson) in cities across the United States (sometimes a celebrity fourth judge is added). These are generally held at large convention centers where thousands of people wait in line for auditions. In order to be eligible, the contestants are not permitted to have any current recording or talent management agreements (but may have had one at some point in the past). Based on turnout and availability, producers select a certain number from the crowd to audition before the three judges (this usually takes 2-4 rounds). Contestants are required to sing a cappella. Those who impress the majority of the judges move on to the second round auditions which take place in Hollywood (typically only several dozen out of the thousands in each city move on). The contestants selected despite lack of singing talent for appearance before the panel provide a major attraction to the viewing audience as they simultaneously proclaim their talent while turning out gut-wrenching performances which are ridiculed by the judges.

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