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

User Rating:

4.9/10   

Creator:

Simon Fuller

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | unknown

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 | Pop Music | Based On British TV Series | Audition | Music Reality

Awards:

Won 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 29 wins & 70 nominations

Cast

Ryan Seacrest	...	Himself - Host / ... (194 episodes, 2002-2009)
Simon Cowell	...	Himself - Judge / ... (194 episodes, 2002-2009)
Paula Abdul	...	Herself - Judge / ... (194 episodes, 2002-2009)
Randy Jackson	...	Himself - Judge / ... (194 episodes, 2002-2009)

Also Known As:

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

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Malaysia:U | Singapore:PG | Australia:G (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | 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:

Top 12 Rankings (2006): - Winner: Taylor Hicks, - 2nd place: Katharine McPhee, - 3rd place: Elliott Yamin, - 4th place: Chris Daughtry, - 5th place: Paris Bennett, - 6th place: Kellie Pickler, - 7th place: Ace Young, - 8th place: Bucky Covington, - 9th place: Mandisa Hundley, - 10th place: Lisa Tucker, - 11th place: Kevin Covais, - 12th place: Melissa McGhee

Quotes:

[says this catchphrase everytime before the intro credits begin]
Ryan Seacrest: This... is "American Idol"!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006) (V)

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.