American Idol is a popular American television series on the Fox Network. The show is part of the Idol Series that originated in the United Kingdom with the show Pop Idol. The show's format is a contest among 12 contestants to discover the next singing superstar. The viewing audience votes for each of the contestants after each evening's performance, and the performers with the lowest votes are eliminated until a winner is reached.
American Idol is created by Simon Fuller and produced by Fremantle North America. The show is directed by Bruce Gowers, Ken Warwick, Simon Fuller, and Nigel Lythgoe. The show is hosted by Ryan Seacrest.
Contestant Eligibility
To be eligible to participate as a contestant on American Idol, candidates must be American citizens able to work full time between the ages of 16 and 28 by August 4th of the year of the audition. Contestants who audition must bring two proof of age, a birth certificate and a driver's license, a passport, or a school ID card. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Contestants must also sign the release form and bring it to the audition. In addition, contestants asked to audition for the semi-final round in Los Angeles, must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the producers, that they do not have any of the following:
contract for talent representation (for example, a talent agent or manager);
a music recording contract;
an acting and/or modeling contract;
a merchandising agreement; or,
any other contractual arrangement that would prohibit you from entering into a management contract, recording contract, talent contract, acting contract and/or merchandising contract.
Potential contestants are also not qualified to participate if they have progressed in any previous season of "American Idol" to any of the following levels:
Season 1 – top 30 contestants
Season 2 – top 32 contestants
Season 3 – top 32 contestants
Season 4 – top 44 contestants
Season 5 – top 44 contestants
American Idol Preliminary Auditions
Preliminary auditions are held around major metropolitan cities around the United States. 2006 auditions are being held in Seattle WA, San Antonio Texas, Los Angeles California, New York/New Jersey Metropolitan Area, Birmingham Alabama, Memphis Tennessee, and Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota. Contestants are required to sing a cappella a song without music. If qualifying for the first call back, contestants may be asked to sing two songs a capella, one of which may be provided from a list from the producers, the other of the contestant's choice. Those who pass the preliminary auditions audition before the three main judges: Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Simon Cowell. Second round auditions are held in Hollywood California.
American Idol Hollywood Auditions
A few hundred contestants make it to the second round auditions in Hollywood and perform in front of the three main judges. The judges cut the number of contestants down to 24, who advance to the semi-finals. Semi-finalists must undergo background checks and may be disqualified if unsavory behavior is uncovered e.g. a criminal conviction. They must also submit drug tests and may be disqualified if drug use is shown. In addition, semi-finalists also agree to be "conclaved" from the outside world per the terms of the pesonal release contract. Contestants cannot leave the Hollywood area or their apartments without consent, communicate with cell phones except to family members, use the Internet, watch TV, listen to the radio, read the newspaper, or have any communication with third-parties.
The semi-finalists are separated into two groups based on gender to ensure an equal number of male and female contestants advance to the finals. For three consecutive weeks, the male semi-finalists compete only against the other men, and the female semi-finalists compete only against the other women. Each contestant performs a song of his or her choice live in prime time and receives critiques from the judges, who now serve almost entirely in an advisory capacity, with no direct influence on the results.
The viewing audience determines which of the semi-finalists make it to the final round by voting. The audience casts their vote by calling a toll-free telephone number or via text message from a wireless phone (Cingular customers only). The audience can vote as many times as they like for any number of contestants, but must do so no later than two hours after the show broadcasts within their time zone. The results of the vote are announced during the next episode, and the two contestants receiving the least votes are eliminated each week. The remaining six women and six men move on to the final round.
American Idol Finals
The final 12 contestants perform live in front of a studio audience at CBS Television City in Los Angeles California. The finals last eleven weeks, and for the first nine weeks, contestants sing one song each week based on a weekly theme. Themes have included disco, big band, Billboard #1 hits, and Motown among others. Each week, the contestant with the lowest votes is eliminated, and performs one last song in front of the studio audience.
Themes are dropped once three remaining contestants are reached. The three final contestants sings 3 songs each: one of their own choice, one chosen by the judges, and one chosen by record executive Clive Davis. The venue is changed to the Kodak Theatre for the finale showdown between the two remaining contestants.
Although I'm not a die hard follower of the show, it is entertaining to watch. I like Simon's cutting remarks and the reaction of the audience. I also like the interactive nature of the show. It's pure american ambition coupled with capitalism. I wonder how long the show will run - it doesn't seem to be letting up any with sky high ratings.
American Idol is a popular American television series on the Fox Network. The show is part of the Idol Series that originated in the United Kingdom with the show Pop Idol. The show's format is a contest among 12 contestants to discover the next singing superstar. The viewing audience votes for each of the contestants after each evening's performance, and the performers with the lowest votes are eliminated until a winner is reached.
