| American Idol is an American singing competition. | | | | Idol contestants. They were also constantly |
| It is part of the Idol series, originating from the | | | | mentioned by Seacrest and in the media as "the |
| UK show Pop Idol, a singing contest to determine | | | | two rockers", since their long hair and choice of |
| the best singer in the UK. In recent years it has | | | | rock songs made them stand out from |
| become one of the most highly publicized music | | | | conventional Idol standards. The presence of |
| competitions in the world, reaching the status of a | | | | more rock-oriented contestants has continued |
| phenomenon. | | | | with Chris Daughtry in Season 5, who was |
| Season 1 | | | | inspired to audition for the show by Bice. |
| The first season of American Idol debuted | | | | This season also implemented new rules for the |
| without hype as a summer replacement show in | | | | final portion of the contest. Instead of competing |
| June 2002 on the Fox Broadcasting Company | | | | in semi-final heats in which the top vote-getters |
| after being rejected by numerous other | | | | are promoted to the final round, 24 semi-finalists |
| networks. The show's co-hosts were Ryan | | | | were named; 12 men and 12 women, who |
| Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman. Through word of | | | | competed separately, with 2 of each gender |
| mouth generated by the appeal of its contestants | | | | being voted off each week until 12 finalists were |
| and the presence of acid-tongued British judge | | | | left. |
| Simon Cowell, the show grew into a phenomenon. | | | | Season 5 |
| An estimated fifty million people watched the | | | | The fifth season of American Idol began on |
| Season 1 finale in September 2002. Following such | | | | January 17, 2006; this was the first season of the |
| a success, the second season was moved to air | | | | series to be aired in high definition. Auditions were |
| the upcoming January. | | | | in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver and San |
| Season 2 | | | | Francisco, with Greensboro, North Carolina and |
| In Season 2, Seacrest surfaced as the lone host. | | | | Las Vegas, Nevada included after the cancellation |
| Dunkleman reportedly hated working on the show | | | | of the Memphis auditions due to Hurricane Katrina. |
| and the studio was dissatisfied with his | | | | The season used the same rules as Season 4. |
| performance. Kristin Holt was a special | | | | Contestants had to be between the ages of 16 |
| correspondent. This time, Ruben Studdard | | | | and 28 on 2005, being born on or between |
| emerged as the winner with Clay Aiken as a very | | | | August 16, 1976 and 1989. Chris Daughtry was |
| close runner-up. Out of 24 million votes recorded, | | | | discovered during this season after being voted in |
| Studdard finished just 130,000 votes ahead of | | | | one of the most surprising eliminations. |
| Aiken. | | | | Finalist Bucky Covington also had prior troubles |
| Season 3 | | | | with the law. Coincidentally, Covington's crimes |
| The third season of American Idol premiered on | | | | involved himself and his twin brother, Rocky. The |
| January 19, 2004. The winner of this season of | | | | two had allegedly switched spots in 1998 to |
| American Idol was Fantasia Barrino, later known | | | | confuse the police. However, this prior crime had |
| professionally as simply "Fantasia," and the | | | | no effect on Covington's time on American Idol, |
| runner-up was Diana Degarmo. This was also the | | | | and he was voted off on April 12. |
| season that Golden Globe Award-winning and | | | | Season 6 |
| Acadamy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson | | | | American Idol Season 6 began on Tuesday, |
| was discovered. | | | | January 16, 2007. The premiere episode of the |
| Season 4 | | | | season drew a massive audience of 37.7 million |
| The fourth season of American Idol premiered on | | | | viewers, peaking in the last half hour with more |
| January 18, 2005. It was the first season in which | | | | than 41 million viewers. It has been reported that |
| the age limit was raised to 28, in order to | | | | the 2006 British The X Factor winner Leona Lewis |
| increase variety. All Season 4 contestants had to | | | | is scheduled to perform on an early episode of |
| be between the ages of 16 and 28 on August 4, | | | | American Idol Season 6, thanks to the connection |
| 2004, born on or between August 5, 1975 and | | | | with Simon Cowell. |
| August 4, 1988. Among those who benefited | | | | Season 7 |
| from this new rule were Constantine Maroulis | | | | The seventh season of American Idol is expected |
| (born September 17, 1975) and Bo Bice (born | | | | to take place beginning in January 2008, with |
| November 1, 1975), considered to be the eldest | | | | auditions likely to be held starting in July 2007. Few |
| and somewhat most experienced of the season's | | | | other details are known at this time. |