"American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002)TV series 2002-????

Creator:

Simon Fuller

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

11 June 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Game-Show | Music | Reality-TV

Tagline:

Thousands audition... Millions vote.... One wins.

Plot:

Twelve finalists and/or future singers (six men and six women) who were selected from America, compete...

Plot Keywords:

American Idol | Singing Contest | Audition | Based On British TV Series | Manufactured Pop

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 23 wins & 57 nominations

Cast

Ryan Seacrest	...	Himself - Host (153 episodes, 2002-2008)
Simon Cowell	...	Himself - Judge / ... (153 episodes, 2002-2008)
Paula Abdul	...	Herself - Judge / ... (153 episodes, 2002-2008)
Randy Jackson	...	Himself - Judge / ... (153 episodes, 2002-2008)

Also Known As:

American Idol (USA) (new title)
American Idol 2 (USA) (promotional title)
American Idol 3 (USA)
American Idol 4 (USA) (fourth season title)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Malaysia:U | Australia:G (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Singapore:PG | USA:TV-G | USA:TV-PG (audition segments)

Filming Locations:

Alex Theatre - 216 N. Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California, USA

Company:

Fremantle Media North America

Trivia:

At the Las Vegas auditions during Season 4, Joseph Land entered the audition room and claimed that he was 28 years old, the maximum age allowed for the competition. All the judges, however, were skeptical of Land's claim, because he appeared to be much older than 28. The chyron graphics displaying his stats even showed his age as "28" (including the quote marks). After his audition received unanimous negative feedback from the judges, Land finally admitted to being 44 years old.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Epic Movie (2007)

Gives "Reality" TV a whole new meaning.

If it weren't for Simon Cowell, I have to wonder how many people would watch this show. I admit this says something of my character, but he's the reason I watch this show. His blunt matter of fact, tell-it-like-is approach to telling the unvarnished truth to the no-talent wannabes who audition is something I find very refreshing. Especially when their egos and attitudes are directly proportional to the extent that they suck -- meaning the more they suck, the more ego and attitude they tend to have. (Not with all, but certainly a lot of them) Then there are others who don't have attitude and are devastated by criticism and can be seen in tears later, and even if they were bad I feel a little sorry for them. But that's simply the reality, of the music business and if these kids can't handle it, then they shouldn't be trying to forge a career as a musical artist.

That's reality, and Simon gives them this much needed reality check. It's reality TV in every sense of the word.