American Idol, formerly known as American Idol: The Search for a Superstar, is an American television series. It is part of the Idol series, originated as the UK show Pop Idol, a singing talent contest to determine the best "undiscovered" young singer in the country. In recent years it has become one of the most highly publicized music competitions in the world.
American Idol is screened on the Fox Network in the United States which is part of News Corporation and on CTV in Canada. It is created by Simon Fuller (manager of the Spice Girls and S Club 7) and developed by Simon Jones of Thames Television. The directors are Bruce Gowers (director of Queen's original "Bohemian Rhapsody" video), Nigel Lythgoe (a judge on So You Think You Can Dance), Simon Fuller (creator) and Ken Warwick (Gladiators and Grudge Match).
American Idol is produced by Fremantle North America which is owned by German Bertelsmann. Each contestant may sign a contract with one of Bertelsmann's many music labels because Bertelsmann owns half of Sony BMG. American Idol is managed by 19 Entertainment which is owned by the international joint venture CKX, Inc. Telephone and text message voting are managed by Telescope.
American Idol won a 2005 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for favorite television show. In the same year the show won the #1 spot on Nielsen Ratings for two years in a row, favored over the NBA Playoffs, NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, Grammy Awards, Daytime Emmy Awards, Academy Awards, and the Olympics. The show's success inspired other nations to produce their own variations of the Idol series, and also became the subject of numerous parodies.
OVERVIEW:
Early Auditioning
In the show, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, hopeful contestants are screened by preliminary panels to be selected for singing talent or humorous potential and human interest. Those who pass the prelims are potentially aired on the show. They then audition before the three main judges - Simon Cowell (one of the judges from Pop Idol and The X Factor), Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson - in selected cities across the United States. Sometimes a celebrity fourth judge may be added. These are generally held at large convention centers where thousands of people wait in line for auditions. Past audition cities have included; New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans, Chicago, Greensboro, Washington, D.C., Houston, Honolulu, Denver, Detroit, St. Louis, Boston, Las Vegas, Orlando, Nashville, Memphis, Dallas, Cleveland and Austin. (Contestants from the Season 5 Austin auditions were flown to San Francisco, California to audition before the judges due to the effect of Hurricane Katrina evacuees on the city.) In order to be eligible, the contestants are not permitted to have any current recording or talent management agreements (but may have had one at some point in the past). Based on turnout and availability, producers select a certain number from the crowd to audition before the three judges (this usually takes 2-4 rounds). Contestants are required to sing a cappella. Those who impress the majority of the judges move on to the second round auditions which take place in Hollywood (typically only several dozen out of the thousands in each city move on). The contestants selected despite lack of singing talent for appearance before the panel provide a major attraction to the viewing audience as they simultaneously proclaim their talent while turning out gut-wrenching performances which are ridiculed by the judges.
Much like the original Pop Idol version, one of the most popular portions of each season are initial episodes showcasing American Idol hopefuls auditioning before the panel of judges. These early episodes focus mainly on the poorest performances from contestants who often appear oblivious to their lack of star talent. These "contestants" have been selected by the preliminary panels in a negative sense; a typical combination is lack of singing ability combined with vanity regarding their "talent." Others are selected for human interest potential: the 2005 auditions featured a "cannibal" who had sampled human flesh in an anthropology class and an aspiring female prize fighter. Other examples include a man dressed in pajamas with no shoes (whose comments made Cowell explode with laughter) and a transvestite who kisses Cowell on the cheek after her audition wraps up. Poor singers often face intense and humbling criticism from the judges, and especially from Cowell, who can be harsh and blunt in his rejections. Typically the judges express disgust or dismay or suppressed laughter. Some poor performances have attained notoriety on their own; these have included Season 1's portrayal of Lady Marmalade, Season 2's performance of Madonna's Like a Virgin by Keith Beukelaer and Season 3's rendition of Ricky Martin's She Bangs by William Hung.
Contestants must be U.S. citizens eligible to work full-time and, for the first three seasons, had to be 16 to 24 years of age on October 19 of the year of audition. For the fourth season, the upper age limit was raised to 28 with an earlier cutoff date, August 4, to attract more mature and diverse contestants. In early 2003, a 50-year-old college professor named Drew Cummings filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, charging the show with age discrimination because producers denied him an audition due to his age. His case was not taken up by the EEOC. Auditioning contestants must bring with them to the audition a valid proof of age (and citizenship) such as a birth certificate, driver's license, and a passport, and minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All auditioning contestants are required to sign on to the Web at www.americanidol.com and print out a copy of the release form to fill out and turn in at the audition in order to grant permission to be seen and heard by the producers' cameras. Contestants who were found out to have given false information are disqualified. Those who are ineligible are: those who have current talent representation or a recording contract; have made it to a top 30 on Season 1, top 32 on Seasons 2 and 3, or top 44 on Seasons 4 and 5; or are affiliated with Fox, Fremantle, 19, its sponsors, its affiliates, its subsidies and parent companies; anyone whose age is not in the required age range; and non-US citizens. Even if a person is eligible, he or she may not have a chance to audition or be seen because the show can see only a limited number of people in each city.
Arriving In Hollywood
Once in Hollywood, the three judges narrow the initial field of a few hundred down to a group of 24 semi-finalists (30 in Season 1 and 32 in Seasons 2 and 3) (complete list). In Season 1, the 30 semi-finalists were split into three groups of ten and the top three in each group advanced to the final ten. Three groups of three yielded nine finalists, so the tenth was chosen in a wild card show consisting of five previously-eliminated performers the judges felt deserved a second chance. In Seasons 2 and 3, the 32 semi-finalists were split into four groups of eight, from which the top two performers in each group earned a slot in the finals. Four groups of two yielded eight finalists out of twelve slots. The last four finalists were chosen in a wildcard competition, with each judge selecting one performer to advance to the finals and one performer chosen by audience voting. Beginning with the fourth season, the semi-finalists were split into two groups separating the male contestants from the female contestants, promoting an equal number of each gender to the finals. For three consecutive weeks, the male semifinalists compete only against the other men, and the female semifinalists compete only against the other women. Each contestant performs a song of his or her choice live (in the eastern and central time zones), in prime time and receives critiques from the judges, who, from this point on, serve almost entirely in an advisory capacity, with no direct influence on the results. This format has since been used on other Idol series.
Viewers have two hours following the broadcast of the show in their time zone to phone in votes for their favorite contestant by calling a toll-free number. Viewers with Cingular Wireless cell phones may also send text messages to vote. Callers are allowed to vote as many times as they like for any number of contestants, as long as they vote within the voting window for the time zone assigned to their phone's area code. (Cell phone voters who have tried voting while traveling in other time zones have reported on various fan forums that their votes were rejected if they tried to vote outside the time zone assigned to their home area codes.) On the following night's episode the results of the nationwide vote are announced, and the bottom two vote-getters are eliminated each week. At the end of the semifinal rounds, the six men and six women who remain advance to the finals.
Semi-finalists (and in some cases, other contestants as well) must submit to background checks and may be summarily disqualified for past behavior deemed undesirable, such as an arrest record. Several finalists have been disqualified for revelations that surfaced late in the competition. Semi-finalists are also subjected to drug tests, in order to avoid scandals involving drug usage. Contestants who failed the test have not been allowed to proceed in the competition.
Under terms of the personal release contract, contestants agree to be "conclaved" from the outside world. Contestants may not use cell phones (unless between family members or during an emergency), or the World Wide Web (especially chatting and message boards). They also may not leave the Hollywood jurisdiction, and may not leave their apartments without consent. Furthermore, they may not communicate with third-parties, watch television (especially news and sports), listen to radio stations, or read newspapers during their duration in the competition.
The Final Twelve
In the finals, which last eleven weeks, each finalist performs a song live in prime time from a weekly theme (two songs in later rounds) at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California (Also where CBS's The Price Is Right gets taped.) in front of a live studio audience. Themes have included Motown, disco, big band music, and Billboard #1 hits. Some themes are based on music recorded by a particular artist, and the finalists have a chance to work with that artist in preparing their performances. Artists around whom themes have been based include Billy Joel, Neil Sedaka, The Bee Gees, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, Gloria Estefan, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Queen and Elvis Presley. Once in the top 5, the contestants sing two songs each.
When there are three finalists remaining, themes are no longer used. Instead, each contestant sings three songs: one of their own choice, one chosen by the judges, and one chosen by record executive Clive Davis. However in Season 2, in the final three, one song was chosen randomly from a bowl, with one chosen by the performer and one by the judges.
In any case, each week on the following night's live "results" episode, the contestant with the fewest votes is sent home. The bottom three vote-getters (bottom two in final four, five or, from Season 5 onwards, six) are separated from the remaining contestants. Over the course of the episode, two of the bottom group (one in final four, five or six) are revealed as being "safe" for the week, and the reject is sent home after performing one final song to end the episode. This process is repeated each week until the Top 3. There is no bottom 2 in the Top 3; instead the eliminated contestant's name is announced. Then in the finale, one remaining contestant is declared the winner. The stage is moved to the Kodak Theatre for the finale showdown, where the two remaining contestants perform for an audience of at least 3,400. The winner is announced at the end of the show.
Post-Idol Promotions
The winner receives a one million (US) dollar record deal with a major label, and is managed by American Idol-related 19 Management. In some cases, non-winners have also been signed by the show's management company (who has first option to sign finalists) and received record deals with it's major label partner. Individual post-Idol promotion/appearances for winners and non-winners has varied, however, from season to season. As has stipulations in contracts signed by contestants at the beginning of each season.
In general, immediately post-finale the winner's single of the coronation song written specifically for the season finale is released for sale and to radio. Soon afterward, a video for the song is released. The winner also makes the rounds of interview/performance appearances. With the exception of Season One runner-up Justin Guarini, runners-up have also released a single of the second song created for their season's finales, with accompanying promotional appearances/performances, etc.. In Season One, the winner Kelly Clarkson released both finale songs with accompanying promotion. In subsequent seasons, as project restrictions for non-winners signed by 19 Management lessened significantly, some non-winners even released debut albums prior to the winner's, two examples being Season Two runner-up Clay Aiken debuting prior to winner Ruben Studdard, and Season Five sixth-place finalist Kellie Pickler debuting before both winner Taylor Hicks and runner-up Katharine McPhee.
Each season a compilation album with the top twelve finalists (top ten for Season One) is also released. Other compilations, such as a Christmas album, have also been released. Top ten finalists participate in a post-season American Idol promotional concert tour. Tour lengths and large-size venue locations vary from season to season. Prior to the Season One American Idol Tour, the entire top forty finalists performed in a televised Las Vegas concert. The venture has not been repeated for subsequent seasons.
Media Sponsorship
American Idol is often noted for advertising its sponsors during the show's runtime. Being the number one rated show in the United States, it costs around $705,000 for a 30-second commercial.
Coca-Cola is a major sponsor in the U.S., and all the judges, hosts, and contestants are seen consuming beverages out of cups bearing the Coca-Cola logo, while contestants and host Ryan Seacrest gathering for a Keeping it Real segment between songs in the Coca-Cola Red Room, the show's equivalent to the traditional green room. (During rebroadcast on ITV in the UK, the Coca-Cola logo is obscured in the shots.) In seasons 1 through 4, after every Wednesday results show, the remaining contestants and host meet in the Coca-Cola Red Room to discuss next week's theme; the footage of this meeting is shown at the start of the following Tuesday's performance show.
Voting is made possible by Cingular Wireless, and viewers who cast votes on Cingular Wireless cellular telephones benefit from lower billing costs.
Kellogg and Pop-Tarts are also two major sponsors, especially of the cast tour that follows the end of every season.
Products from the Ford Motor Company also receive prominent product placement; contestants appear in Ford commercials on the results shows, and the final two of Seasons 4 and 5 each won free Mustangs. In addition, the American Idol logo strongly resembles the Ford Motor Company logo (both are blue ovals featuring cursive script). Previous winners Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Hicks have also been tapped to do commercials for Ford.
Contestants will occasionally don Old Navy clothing during performances, and celebrity stylist Steven Cojocaru appeared in two previous seasons to assist contestants with picking out wardrobe pieces from Old Navy. Clairol hair care products also sponsors the show, with contestants usually getting Clairol-guided hair makeovers after the first two or three episodes during the round of 12.
Controversy
* The show is known for encouraging favoritism within the contestants and having viewers vote for their "favorite" rather than singing ability. Critics claim that this treatment places social status above musical aesthetics.
* American Idol has come under fire for maintaining what some claim to be total control of the careers of the winners of the contest. Former co-host Brian Dunkleman referred to the show as "owning" the winning contestants, noting that winners sign contracts to only record with companies owned by the show's producers and to allow related agencies to manage their careers.
* Former contestant Corey Clark told reporters in April 2005 that he and Idol judge Paula Abdul had a "secret affair" prompting an internal Idol investigation. Abdul was eventually deemed innocent.
* During season three, contestants LaToya London and Jennifer Hudson, both of African-American heritage, were eliminated. Thought both of them would be the final three (especially LaToya), along with Fantasia Barrino, many were outraged because they believe eliminating two favorite singers from the show who are African-American is racism.
* Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino included a controversial song on her first album titled "Baby Mama" about single motherhood that has received widespread criticism. Although the song has been thought of and labeled by Fantasia herself as an inspirational anthem for single mothers everywhere by many, others see the song as an example of poor "family values."
* Since the 2004 season, American Idol producers have battled online community services such as the weblogs DialIdol.com, Worldsentiment.com, and VotefortheWorst.com. DialIdol predicts the winner of each week's contest based on how often an automatic dialer encounters a busy signal for each contestant; Worldsentiment uses very large samplings and algorithms to predict the outcome of the vote-off; and VotefortheWorst exhorts viewers to vote for what the site deems to be the worst contestant, rather than the best. Some in the media have implied that Las Vegas odds makers exert behind-the-scenes influence in protecting the services.
* Former season 2 and 5 contestant, Daniel James 'DJ' Boyd, arrested for allegedly videotaping sexual encounters with minors after supplying them with alcohol in Utah.
* Season Two contestant, Corey Clark, arrested again on Trespassing charges and violating terms of probation.
Also: See the official American Idol site.