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.

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Latest blogosphere posts tagged “American idol”

• Simon Cowell Quitting American Idol?!

  
  iBlog126 — Authority: 146
  Yes, you read correctly? The mean bully and everybodys favorite judge to hate on American Idol has decided to quit the show when his contract ends in 2010. Since the show started in 2002, it has always been a hit for viewers and fans across the United States and across the globe. Simon Cowell simply feels that his ...
  2 hours ago

• Jennifer Hudson Reportedly Pregnant With Second Child

  
  D210 TV | Dallas Texas | Entertainment | Celebrity News and Events — Authority: 149
  Jennifer Hudson is pregnant with her second child, Star Magazine claims in an exclusive report on its site. According to her close friend, Jennifer and actor fiance David Otunga learned about the news on December 10. The not-yet-confirmed pregnancy claim comes just four months after the “ American Idol ” alum ...
  2 hours ago

• It’s (Not Quite) Official: Simon Cowell To Leave ‘American Idol’

  
  Idolator: Music News, Reviews, And Gossip — Authority: 647
  Uh oh. Has Ellen jumped onto a steadily sinking ship? British paper The Sun reports this morning that Simon Cowell’s brother has confirmed that the American Idol judge is indeed leaving the popular Fox reality singing competition once its ninth season is over next year—a rumor that’s been getting louder ...
  3 hours ago

• New Rules for the New Year at American Idol

  
  ArtsBeat — Authority: 743
  The popular Fox singing competition said that it would return to its traditional format in which 24 semifinalists - 12 women and 12 men - are chosen in the shows Hollywood rounds to vie for the title.
  3 hours ago

• Kris Allen Answers Questions From Fans

  
  mjsbigblog — Authority: 566
  Kris Allen answers questions from his street team… Kris sees no acting in his future…but Hey! In 5 years he could be doing soap operas or something. Heh. And here all about the band’s “Plaid Rule”. Yes, the band has a plaid rule. Check it out after the JUMP…
  3 hours ago

• Idol Headlines for 12/23/09

  
  mjsbigblog — Authority: 566
  ‘American Idol’ And The Making Of A Star Now, I have no musical aspirations myself — no desire or talent to become a pop star or a songwriter. But when they announced that they’d let a viewer write the big ballad, they had me hooked. I immediately began sketching out what I believed to be the perfect ...
  4 hours ago

• American Idol: Will you watch if Simon Cowell leaves?

  
  The TV Guy — Authority: 615
  Simon Cowell will be back with “American Idol ” this season. But after that, there’s a question of whether the most cutting judge might cut himself lose from the Fox singing contest. Well, here’s some news likely to make Cowell’s ego swell: Fans like him. They really like him. (Cowell is shown in this AP ...
  4 hours ago

• Simon Cowells Possible Departure From American Idol

  
  Tuned In — Authority: 648
  Jim is on vacation, but he sent in this breaking news post via iPhone from somewhere on Interstate 80.According to a report attributed to Simon Cowells brother, Cowell is planning to leave American Idol at the end of 2010 when his current contract is up. (There are other conflicting reports, one claiming he might stay ...
  4 hours ago

• Simon Cowell’s Pendulous Manboobs To Leave American Idol?

  
  Hecklerspray — Authority: 575
  If your favourite thing about American Idol is Simon Cowell, we have a little bit of bad news for you. He might be leaving American Idol . Simon’s brother said so in a podcast yesterday. But if your favourite thing about American Idol is Randy Jackson , we have some good news for you – he isn’t leaving ...
  5 hours ago

• Simon Cowell Will Leave "American Idol": Report

  
  ShowHype - Top Celebrity Gossip News, Videos, and Blogs — Authority: 172
  LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell has decided to quit the top-rated TV talent show when his contract ends in 2010, according to a report in British tabloid The Sun, which would deal a blow to the Fox network. Cowell, 50, has been with the TV juggernaut since the start ... AfterElton.com - ...
  5 hours ago

• Simon Cowell will either leave American Idol next year or stay three more years, reports say

  
  reality blurred — Authority: 562
  American Idol 9 will be Simon Cowells final season, according to the judges brother, unless the CEO of the company that owns the show is right, in which case Simon is staying through American Idol 11. On his podcast, The Cowell Factor, Tony Cowell said, "Meanwhile, Simon prepares for a new season of Idol -- or should ...
  5 hours ago

• Simon Cowells Brother Says He Is Leaving American Idol

  
  ShowHype - Top Television News, Videos, and Blogs — Authority: 172
  Tony Cowell says that the 2010 season will be Simons last on the hit talent show. By James Dinh Simon Cowell Photo: Gustavo Caballero/ Getty Images As if Paula Abduls exit from the "American Idol" judging panel wasnt enough of a shock to the audience, then this news will leave them speechless. Tony Cowell, ...
  5 hours ago

• Matt Giruad: New Song! 4am – VIDEO

  
  mjsbigblog — Authority: 566
  Matt Giraud debuts a very pretty ballad, written with JT Harding, at the The Listening Room Cafe Tuesday night in Nashville TN. Matt has been in Nashville co-writing and recording with Marcus Hummon (”God Bless the Broken Road”) and others. Gorgeous vocal! What do you think?
  5 hours ago

• AMERICAN IDOL Sets Their Schedule for 2010

  
  Give Me My Remote — Authority: 134
  Are you read for the return of American Idol? The ninth season begins with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, January 12th and Wednesday, January 13th on Fox.As you know very well by now, we have to get through some good but mostly ear splitting auditions before we can get to the real talent of the [...]
  6 hours ago

• Idol Sales News – Week Ending 12/20/09

  
  mjsbigblog — Authority: 566
  Our first Billboard chart of 2010 continues with Kris atop the Idols singles download leader board. It was a good week for the Idols will all three in the top 50 gaining sales. More numbers to appear throughout the day as they become available. After the Jump, today’s Idol Sales Numbers (Billboard Date 1/2/10) ...
  6 hours ago

• Season 9 Preview: Jason Diaz

  
  mjsbigblog — Authority: 566
  This is our continuation of our preview of possible Season 9 contestants. Remember, that the Hollywood round doesn’t occur until January 9th this year. We don’t know how far any of these contestants might go. And since we never see some of the competition round contestants until the competition starts, we might ...
  6 hours ago

• American Idol Update: Wild Card Round Out, Simon Cowell to Follow?

  
  celebritybig.com — Authority: 150
  We’re less than a month away from the premiere of American Idol season nine. While the major show news over the last few months involved Ellen DeGeneres as the new judge ; the latest buzz regarding the competition revolves around the man that truly makes the series what it is: Simon Cowell . According to ...
  6 hours ago

• American Idol Update: Wild Card Round Out, Simon Cowell to Follow?

  
  The Hollywood Gossip — Authority: 729
  Were less than a month away from the premiere of American Idol season nine. While the major show news over the last few months involved Ellen DeGeneres as the new judge ; the latest buzz regarding the competition revolves around the man that truly makes the series what it is: Simon Cowell. According to Simons ...
  6 hours ago

• Simon Cowell Preparing to Leave American Idol in 2010

  
  Hobbies Fun & entertainment - fun-entertainment.marc8.com — Authority: 165
  Simon Cowell plans to relinquish his role as a judge on TVs "American Idol" after next season, Cowells brother, Tony, said in his podcast Tuesday...
  8 hours ago

• Mr. Naughty Simon Cowell as Judge Preparing for Last Season of American Idol

  
  UwidoNews - Submitted news — Authority: 173
  "A press statement is being prepared that will confirm what everybody expected: Simon will leave Idol at the end of 2010 to concentrate on bringing the American version of X Factor to U.S. TV in 2011,"
  8 hours ago

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