History Series / AmericanIdol

->''This is the place where superstars are born. Because this is American Idol.''

''American Idol'' was launched in 2002, and to date has aired 21 seasons[[note]]The first 15 aired on Creator/{{Fox}}, after which it went on hiatus for two years and then switched to [[Creator/AmericanHroadcastingCompany ABC]]. The 15th season (airing from January to April 2016) was announced as the show's last, but plans for a revival with ABC were announced in 2017[[/note]], with a 22nd season scheduled to premiere on February 18, 2024. The show has employed a revolving door of judges, but has been hosted since its inception by Creator/RyanSeacrest.[[note]]The show has used other hosts on select occasions; comedian Brian Dunkleman co-hosted with Seacrest on season 1, following ''Pop Idol''[='=]s two-presenter format, and radio[=/=]TV personality Bobby Bones subbed in for Seacrest during a 2019 episode when he fell ill.[[/note]]

''American Idol'' was launched in 2002, and to date has aired 21 seasons[[note]]The first 15 aired on Creator/{{Fox}}, after which it went on hiatus for two years and then switched to Creator/{{ABC}}. The 15th season (airing from January to April 2016) was announced as the show's last, but plans for a revival with ABC were announced in 2017[[/note]], with a 22nd season scheduled to premiere on February 18, 2024. The show has employed a revolving door of judges, but has been hosted since its inception by Creator/RyanSeacrest.[[note]]The show has used other hosts on select occasions; comedian Brian Dunkleman co-hosted with Seacrest on season 1, following ''Pop Idol''[='=]s two-presenter format, and radio[=/=]TV personality Bobby Bones subbed in for Seacrest during a 2019 episode when he fell ill.[[/note]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/american_idol_tv_show.jpg]]

* Phillip Phillips

[[TransatlanticEquivalent An American version of the British series]] ''Pop Idol'' (which is better known due to the fact that far more people live in America than Britain),[[note]]In Britain, ''Pop Idol'' was also pushed aside for ''Series/TheXFactor'', which came to the U.S. in 2011. The ''Idol'' season that followed suffered the worst rating drop in the series' history.[[/note]] ''American Idol'' was launched in 2002, and to date has aired 21 seasons[[note]]The first 15 aired on Creator/{{Fox}}, after which it went on hiatus for two years and then switched to Creator/{{ABC}}. The 15th season (airing from January to April 2016) was announced as the show's last, but plans for a revival with ABC were announced in 2017[[/note]], with a 22nd season scheduled to premiere on February 18, 2024. The show has employed a revolving door of judges, but has been hosted since its inception by Creator/RyanSeacrest.[[note]]The show has used other hosts on select occasions; comedian Brian Dunkleman co-hosted with Seacrest on season 1, following ''Pop Idol''[='=]s two-presenter format, and radio[=/=]TV personality Bobby Bones subbed in for Seacrest during a 2019 episode when he fell ill.[[/note]]

[[TransatlanticEquivalent An American version of the British series]] ''Pop Idol'', which is better known due to the fact that far more people live in America than Britain.[[note]]In Britain, ''Pop Idol'' was also pushed aside for ''Series/TheXFactor'', which came to the U.S. in 2011. The ''Idol'' season that followed suffered the worst rating drop in the series' history.[[/note]]

''American Idol'' was launched in 2002, and to date has aired 21 seasons[[note]]The first 15 aired on Creator/{{Fox}}, after which it went on hiatus for two years and then switched to Creator/{{ABC}}. The 15th season (airing from January to April 2016) was announced as the show's last, but plans for a revival with ABC were announced in 2017[[/note]], with a 22nd season scheduled to premiere on February 18, 2024. The show has employed a revolving door of judges, but has been hosted since its inception by Creator/RyanSeacrest.[[note]]The show has used other hosts on select occasions; comedian Brian Dunkleman co-hosted with Seacrest on season 1, following ''Pop Idol''[='=]s two-presenter format, and radio[=/=]TV personality Bobby Bones subbed in for Seacrest during a 2019 episode when he fell ill.[[/note]]

''American Idol'' was launched in 2002, and to date has aired 21 seasons[[note]]The first 15 aired on Creator/{{Fox}}, after which it went on hiatus for two years and then switched to Creator/{{ABC}}. The 15th season (airing from January to April 2016) was announced as the show's last, but plans for a revival with ABC were announced in 2017[[/note]], with a 22nd season scheduled to premiere on February 18, 2024. The show has employed a revolving door of judges, but has been hosted since its inception by Creator/RyanSeacrest.[[note]]Comedian Brian Dunkleman actually co-hosted with Seacrest on season 1, following ''Pop Idol''[='=]s two-presenter format.

* William Hung (unsuccessfully auditioned in season 3 with a...''slaughtering'' of Music/RickyMartin's "She Bangs" that actually landed him a record contract, in which he did the same thing to several other pop "standards"; SoBadItsGood, indeed)

The show was a veritable ratings ''behemoth'', drawing 20+ million viewers on a ''bad'' day. To put it in perspective, President UsefulNotes/BarackObama's speech on the state of Healthcare in September 2009 drew about 30 million viewers – on [[NewsMonopoly 10 different networks]]. The 2009 finale of ''American Idol'' drew 28 million viewers – on one network. ''American Idol'' alone cemented Creator/{{FOX}} as the top dog network in terms of advertising potential during its heyday. The network used the show as a lead-in to whatever show they wanted to boost – the most notable examples are ''Series/{{House}}'' and ''Series/{{Glee}}'', which nearly doubled their respective viewerships and went from merely popular to megahits once they started airing in the post-''Idol'' timeslot. ''American Idol'' was the highest-rated show in the U.S. from its beginnings to the 2004–2005 season. It started to slip in the [=2010s=], notably being beaten by rival show ''Series/DancingWithTheStars'' on several nights in total viewers, and being beaten by ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' in 2013 whenever the two have aired new episodes against easch other. Its ratings continued to slide in the mid-2010s, eventually overtaken by NBC rival show ''Series/TheVoice'', but for a time it continued to be a solid mid-season performer for FOX annually, especially when they were hurting for reliable shows post-''House''.

It's very likely that, in decades to come, this will be the show most remembered as what defined American television in [[TurnOfTheMillennium the first decade of the 21st century]], for better or worse.

An American version of the British series ''Pop Idol'', which is better known due to the fact that far more people live in America than Britain. In Britain, ''Pop Idol'' was also pushed aside for ''Series/TheXFactor''. ''The X Factor'' came to the U.S. in 2011, with Simon Cowell. The ''Idol'' season that followed suffered the worst rating drop in the series' history.

The show was launched in 2002. In twelve seasons, it has launched several careers. Among the more notably talented and successful are Music/KellyClarkson (Season 1 winner), Clay Aiken (Season 2 runner-up), Ruben Studdard (Season 2 winner), Music/FantasiaBarrino (Season 3 winner), Music/JenniferHudson (an Academy Award winner for ''{{Theatre/Dreamgirls}}''), [[Music/{{Daughtry}} Chris Daughtry]], Bo Bice, Music/DavidArchuleta, Music/AdamLambert, and Music/CarrieUnderwood (Season 4 winner, the first Idol to go purely {{country|Music}}).

It's also launched the "career" of William Hung, whose… ''slaughtering'' of Music/RickyMartin's "She Bangs" landed him a record contract, in which he did the same thing to several other pop "standards". SoBadItsGood, indeed.

'''Another reason for the show's popularity is the chemistry among the three(?) judges:'''
* Creator/SimonCowell (seasons 1–9), a famous UK record exec. His [[HarshTalentShowJudge acerbic comments]] are [[MemeticMutation insanely quotable]]. Naturally, he's caught a little flak for his attitude. Imported from the equally successful UK show ''Pop Idol'', which started the tradition. He left ''American Idol'' at the end of the ninth season to start an American version of ''Series/TheXFactor''.
* Music/PaulaAbdul (seasons 1–8), a pop singer and choreographer who had a string of hit singles in the late '80s and early '90s. Initially became known as the sweet contrast to Simon's sour attitude, being the most willing to stick her neck out for middling or poor acts, to the point that her endorsement became seen as more of the HufflepuffHouse of judgments. However, later in her run on the show, she became more notable for her off-screen troubles than her judging (and for '''''maybe''''' showing up to set drunk on more than a few occasions). Also rose up controversy for judging a performance before it even actually ''happened''. Decided not to return for Season 9, and was replaced by comedienne Ellen [=DeGeneres=].
* Randy Jackson (seasons 1–12), a Grammy Award-winning rock bassist, singer, and record producer who was an in-demand session musician in the 1980s and was briefly a member of Music/{{Journey|Band}}. Notable for calling nearly everyone "dawg". (Don't confuse this guy with Steven Randall Jackson, the former member of the Jacksons.) He was the longest-sitting ''Idol'' judge, having served as a judge for 12 seasons.

* Music/MariahCarey (season 12) UsefulNotes/GrammyAward-winning recording artist, with numerous #1 singles under her belt. Probably known for being ''the'' ultimate diva on the music scene.
* Music/KeithUrban (seasons 12–15): An Australian country singer. Most notably the only judge from the 2013 season to return the following year.
* Music/NickiMinaj (season 12): Rapper/singer, known for her outrageous persona(s) and even more out-there fashion choices.
* Creator/HarryConnickJr (seasons 13–15): [[RenaissanceMan Singer, actor, pianist, conductor and composer]] who already guest-judged on the show a handful of times before being named a permanent one for its 13th season.
* '''Music/KatyPerry''' (seasons 16-present): Singer, songwriter and actress and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, known for songs such as "Hot n Cold" and "Wide Awake".
* '''Music/LukeBryan''' (seasons 16-present): Country music artist known as one of the {{Trope Maker}}s of the "bro-country" sub-genre. Active since 2004, he has sold over 7 million albums and 27 million singles.
* '''Music/LionelRichie''' (seasons 16-present): Internationally renowned funk, soul and rhythm and blues artist active since the 60s. He too is one of the best-selling artists of all time and a five-time Grammy Award winner. He performed on the show's 2009 season finale with Danny Gokey.

Still, the show has its detractors. Year after year, opponents try to either get a boycott of the show going or tried to [[http://www.votefortheworst.com sabotage it by putting the worst contestant in the winner's circle.]] Their efforts never succeeded, though with Season 6's Sanjaya Malakar (who made it to 7th place) and Season 8's Danny Gokey (who made it into the top 3), they got closer than ever. However, by season 12's end, [[http://voteforthegirls.us one rival site has succeeded.]] In 2013, the site promoting the worst contestant shut down, though past versions [[http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.votefortheworst.com remain accessible on the Internet Archive]].

It's very likely that, in decades to come, this will be the show most remembered as what defined American television in [[TurnOfTheMillennium the first decade of the 21st century]]. For better or worse.

The show was finally cancelled in 2015 – the 2016 season was thought to be the last until in 2017 ABC [[http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/american-idol-abc-1202410691/ revived for the show for the 2018 TV season]]. The series returned on March 11, 2018, once again with an entirely new set of judges, but nevertheless still hosted by the venerable Ryan Seacrest.

** Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams from Season 10, though the fans [[ShippingGoggles mistook it for something more]].

* MrFanservice: Ace Young in Season 5, Blake Lewis and Sanjaya Malakar in Season 6, David Cook and David Archuleta in Season 7, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert in Season 8, Casey James, Lee Dewyze ''and'' Tim Urban in Season 9, basically ''every'' guy from Season 10 (but most notably James Durbin and Casey Abrams), [[RepetitiveName Phillip Phillips]] and Music/ColtonDixon in Season 11, and Dalton Rapattoni and [=MacKenzie=] Bourg in Season 15.

* OlderAndWiser: Following the season 12 finale, reports that the judging panel would be completely rebooted with successful Idols of years past came about, suggesting Jennifer Hudson, Music/KellyClarkson, Creator/AdamLambert and Clay Aiken to be in the running. While it didn't actually happen, something similar was done in Season 15's semifinals by having past Idol finalists return to sing duets with the contestants, and a heavily pregnant Kelly did return as a guest judge a week later. They also had some of the past finalists as part of the "pre-judging" process that season.

* WeHardlyKnewYe: Brian Dunkleman fell into relative obscurity after being Ryan's co-host for only the first season. Dunkleman made a brief cameo on the finale of season 15.

* TheSmurfettePrinciple: Paula was the only female judge on the show until Kara DioGuardi joined in the eighth season.

*** Season 16 featured a returning Hollywood rounder from Season 12 named Adam Sanders who had cracked under the pressure. His audition showed the "pimp piece" interview before showing a second of his actual audition...allowing for the surprise when he reveals how he copes with his insecurity: by becoming "Ada [[MeaningfulName Vox]]". When out of character, he refers to "Miss Ada" as a separate person from himself. Ada Vox herself later came in second place on a [[Series / Queen of the Universe different singing competition program]], this time exclusively for drag queens.

* She's Triggered: For an episode in which contestants sing a song picked for them by one of the judges (they don't know who) Season 20 contestant Noah Thompson sings John Mayer's Heartbreak Warfare. When asked who he thinks picked it he thinks Katy (she and John Mayer dated for a few years). Ryan asks Katy if that's true. Katy tells Noah to wikipedia her and loses it falling out of her chair amidst that.

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

The show was launched in 2002. In twelve seasons, it has launched several careers. Among the more notably talented and successful are Music/KellyClarkson (Season 1 winner), Clay Aiken (Season 2 runner-up), Ruben Studdard (Season 2 winner), Fantasia Barrino (Season 3 winner), Music/JenniferHudson (an Academy Award winner for ''{{Theatre/Dreamgirls}}''), [[Music/{{Daughtry}} Chris Daughtry]], Bo Bice, Music/DavidArchuleta, Music/AdamLambert, and Music/CarrieUnderwood (Season 4 winner, the first Idol to go purely {{country|Music}}).

* Fantasia Barrino

* David Archuleta

* Chris Daughtry

** Season 16, the first post-revival season, was won by Maddie Poppe, whose closest thing to mainstream success post-''American Idol'' would be two songs ("Made You Miss" and "Not Losing You") not even reaching the Top 20 of Billboard's Adult Pop Airplay Chart, hitting #21 and #26 respectively. Meanwhile, third-placed Gabby Barrett achieved a SleeperHit with "I Hope" in 2020, eventually reaching #3 on the Hot 100, and would reach #12 on ''Billboard'''s Year-End Hot 100, with the follow-up single "The Good Ones" reaching the Top 20 the following year.