American Idol: Search for a Superstar was first aired in June 2002, making this year its 9th consecutive year of being broadcast. It is the-most watched series in the Nielsen ratings and has been number one for six consecutive seasons. Part of the Idol franchise, American Idol aims to find the best singer in the country as voted for by viewers. A range of celebrity guests, including Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, make up a panel of judges who determine which contestants get through the initial rounds. The show is presented by radio DJ Ryan Seacrest.
American Idol is based on the British show Pop Idol, using the idea that a panel of judges is used to select singers in auditions who are then voted for by the public. The format is similar to many other reality contest shows and the telephone voting system has been in use for years in programs such as the Eurovision Song Contest. Initially the show Pop Idol was not a hit in the States but after being rebranded and renamed as American Idol in 2002, its first series as an instant success. The presence of judge Simon Cowell helped turn the show into a phenomenon and by 2005 it was one of the biggest television shows in the United States.
Contestants vary from ages 15 to 28 and must be US residents with no recording contracts. Over 10,000 aspiring singers show up to the initial stages but only 100 - 200 will make it to the auditions that are shown on the television. Once contestants have made it through to the television rounds where they have to perform in front of the judges panel, 10 to 60 from each city are then selected to go through to Hollywood. In Hollywood week the contestants go through several round before being selected for the live finals. From here everyone is voted for by the public and contestants are voted off each week until only one remains as the winner.
American Idol is based on the British show Pop Idol, using the idea that a panel of judges is used to select singers in auditions who are then voted for by the public. The format is similar to many other reality contest shows and the telephone voting system has been in use for years in programs such as the Eurovision Song Contest. Initially the show Pop Idol was not a hit in the States but after being rebranded and renamed as American Idol in 2002, its first series as an instant success. The presence of judge Simon Cowell helped turn the show into a phenomenon and by 2005 it was one of the biggest television shows in the United States.
Contestants vary from ages 15 to 28 and must be US residents with no recording contracts. Over 10,000 aspiring singers show up to the initial stages but only 100 - 200 will make it to the auditions that are shown on the television. Once contestants have made it through to the television rounds where they have to perform in front of the judges panel, 10 to 60 from each city are then selected to go through to Hollywood. In Hollywood week the contestants go through several round before being selected for the live finals. From here everyone is voted for by the public and contestants are voted off each week until only one remains as the winner.
