American Idol

A spinoff from entertainment executive Simon Fuller's British reality television show Pop Idol, American Idol first debuted in the United States June 11, 2002 on Fox network. It is a reality television show whose primary purpose is to identify the music artist that most defines who will become a singing sensation, or "American Idol," by holding nationwide auditions to select contestants to appear on the show.

Contestants are restricted to ages 16-28, can't currently have a record deal or management agreements, and can't have formal training to sing in the past. Thousands of contestants show up at each audition, and must make it through two cuts by producers before auditioning for the show judges. Judges determine which contestants are invited to the competition during Hollywood Week. Of the thousands who audition, only forty or so make it through to Hollywood, and those numbers are reduced to 12 male and 12 female contestants for the semi-final rounds.

Seasons one through seven were judged by Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson.  In season eight, a fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi, will be added to the show. The judges give critiques of the performances in the final rounds, but it is the American public who decides the winner by phoning in votes for the finalists.

by Ultimat1 Are you a writer, passionate about this or any other topic? Join Blogcritics!

Latest blogosphere posts tagged “American Idol”

• Adam Lambert Billboard Interview

  
  ShowHype - Top Television News, Videos, and Blogs — Authority: 172
  Adam Lambert is on yet ANOTHER Mag. Why? Because he is that awesome. This one is Billboard Magazine and actually he is on it with Kris Allen. Which is pretty cool! I’m not sure if they have ever been on a magazine together?!He talks about in the interview, of how his new Album ‘For ... My American Idol found ...
  4 hours ago

• David Archuleta Weekly Wrapup –

  
  ShowHype - Top Television News, Videos, and Blogs — Authority: 172
  pikepss Weekly on David ArchuletaGood Morning to all Honeybees and Fans of David Archuleta!Many people believe Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays. Actually, one of the most notable occasions is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is surprisingly a widely celebrated holiday that crosses ... American Idol Buzz ...
  4 hours ago

• Kris Allen & Adam Lambert On The Cover Image of Billboard

  
  Sponkit Celebrity Blog — Authority: 492
  “American Idol” stars Kris Allen and Adam Lambert became the cover image of Billboard for its latest issue. Kris opened up on his new album, upcoming tour and what he learned from Wikipedia if he is going to collaborate with someone he is not familiar with. He dished that his inspiration for “Red Guitar” ...
  4 hours ago

• Matt Giraud – Cornerstone Church Concert – Videos

  
  mjsbigblog — Authority: 658
  Matt Giraud performed two shows to a packed house at the Cornerstone church in Caledonia, Mi on Saturday. His set list included a some covers, including a Michael Jackson tribute, several Idol favorites, plus 5 original songs, co-written by Matt. The originals were “Go On and Sing, Boy” co-written with Marcus ...
  5 hours ago

• Demi Lovato: Fiesta por sus 17 años – Video

  
  ShowHype - Top Television News, Videos, and Blogs — Authority: 172
  Último vídeo subido a la cuenta de Demi Lovato en youtube (therealdemilovato) con escenas de su tan comentada fiesta de 17 años... y más American Idol Buzz found this 3 hours ago on jonasbrothers4ever.com Find more top entertainment news, videos, and blogs on ShowHype: American Idol , Brothers
  6 hours ago

• Number Two Syndrome

  
  ShowHype - Top Television News, Videos, and Blogs — Authority: 172
  ODD isn’t the only affliction that David’s fans suffer. Recent events suggest that we should also be diagnosed with Number Two Syndrome.David deserved to win American Idol. His voice, musicianship, and talent went way beyond the confines of that cheesy reality show. But many viewers ... American Idol Buzz found ...
  6 hours ago

• Carrie Underwood – CNN Heroes Awards

  
  ShowHype - Top Television News, Videos, and Blogs — Authority: 172
  Carrie Underwood – CNN Heroes Awards is a post from: American Idol Carrie Underwood at the CNN Heroes Awards red carpet at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Filipino “pushcart educator” Efren Penaflorida was named CNN Hero of the Year . The awards will be aired on ... Rover found this 4 hours ago on ...
  6 hours ago

• Carrie Underwood to Sing “Changes” on the CNN Heroes Awards

  
  mjsbigblog — Authority: 658
  Carrie Underwood hit the red carpet tonight (Nov 22) for the 2009 CNN Heroes Awards . Carrie will be performing a special orchestral arrangement of  “Change” from her new album Play On. Leona Lewis and Maxwell will also be singing on the program.  Idol judge, Randy Jackson , will appear as a presenter. ...
  6 hours ago

• John Stevens Update: The Wonder of It All

  
  mjsbigblog — Authority: 658
  Do you remember John Stevens ? He was the red-haired teen-aged crooner from Season 3, eliminated in 6th place. After leaving Idol and releasing his debut album, Red , on Maverick Records, John disappeared into academic life at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. These days, John performs with a local Boston ...
  9 hours ago

• Chris Sligh Signs a New Record Deal

  
  mjsbigblog — Authority: 658
  Chris Sligh had blogged that a “major record deal” was in the works, but that some of the finer details–publishing rights in particular–still had to be ironed out. Finally, Chris posts that the deal is done: Well, the deal is finally done. We got everything worked out with everyone involved and are finally ...
  10 hours ago

• Glee: Madonna Episode Sneak Peek!

  
  ShowHype - Top Television News, Videos, and Blogs — Authority: 172
  This week, it’s the all- Madonna episode of Glee . And here is your sneak peek. Quinn ( Dianna Agron ) and Puck ( Mark Salling ) babysit for Mrs. Shue’s sister’s bratty kids. Quinn calms them down with a version of “Papa Don’t Preach” with Puck ... mjsbigblog posted 109 minutes ago from mjsbigblog.com ...
  12 hours ago

• LEAVE IT ALL ON THE IDOL STAGE, SO SAYS CARRIE UNDERWOOD

  
  Hollywood Outbreak — Authority: 595
  Former American Idol champ Carrie Underwood is also one of country music’s biggest stars, and for the blonde beauty having great pipes doesn’t guarantee one a ticket to Hollywood or better yet, a shot at the crown.   For Underwood , a little guts and moxie goes a long way, especially if impressing ...
  15 hours ago

• Video: Matt Giraud excited about beginning his solo career after American Idol

  
  Detroit Business News — Authority: 830
  Check out interview with Giraud before his Caledonia performances Saturday.
  17 hours ago

• Music Video Weekend: Gary Jules & Michael Andrews, “Mad World”

  
  James Preller's Blog — Authority: 422
  Not sure where I’ve been, but I just discovered this song — or this version of the song — as sung by Gary Jules for the Donnie Darko soundtrack. I have to listen to it every day. Sounds a little like Erik Satie meet Elliott Smith, and that’s a good thing. It was originally written by Roland Orzabal and sung ...
  17 hours ago

• Kris Allen & Adam Lambert Cover Billboard (Videos)

  
  Backseat Cuddler — Authority: 605
  This has been a huge year for Adam Lambert and Kris Allen.  Their post American Idol success has been amazing to watch.  Both of these blooming artists just had debut albums drop and the doors keep swinging open for them.SEE ADAM LAMBERT ON ‘OUT’ MAGAZINE HEREThese major talents are covering Billboard Magazine ...
  18 hours ago

• X Factor – Week 7 – Performance

  
  ShowHype - Top Television News, Videos, and Blogs — Authority: 172
  Here is your X Factor post for the Week 7 performance show. The Top 6 sing the music of Wham! Excuse me while I….LULZ!!!!!!! mjsbigblog posted 98 minutes ago from mjsbigblog.com Find more top entertainment news, videos, and blogs on ShowHype: American Idol , X Factor , American Idol
  18 hours ago

• FOE4 Musings: FOX’s Glee and the Limitations of Reality Competition Narrative

  
  Cultural Learnings — Authority: 476
  Glee and the Limitations of Reality Competition Narrative November 21st, 2009 Following along with this weekend’s Futures of Entertainment 4 Conference at MIT (through the Twitter Hashtag #foe4 ) has been a really unique experience in many ways, engaging with an academic community I’ve only seen from ...
  19 hours ago

• Adam Lamberts Big Year is Just Getting Started

  
  ShowHype - Top Celebrity Gossip News, Videos, and Blogs — Authority: 170
  Let the onslaught begin. read more American Idol 9 - Rickey.org found this 101 minutes ago on afterelton.com Find more top entertainment news, videos, and blogs on ShowHype: Celebrities , Adam Lambert , American Idol
  20 hours ago

• Adam Lamberts Big Year is Just Getting Started

  
  AfterElton.com - Because visibility matters — Authority: 641
  Let the onslaught begin.read more
  21 hours ago

• Kris Allen and Adam Lambert on Billboard Magazine

  
  American Idol 9 - Rickey.org — Authority: 159
  Kris Allen and Adam Lambert on Billboard Magazine is a post from: American Idol Kris Allen shares the cover of Billboard Magazine with Adam Lambert. Thanks Billboard! Kris says: “It would be fun to write with Adele, actually. She seems like a fun girl to write with. I’m still new in the music business-it ...
  21 hours ago

Comments about American Idol