| format = Interactive reality game show
| runtime = Varies
| creator = Simon Fuller
| executive_producer = Nigel Lythgoe
Ken Warwick
Simon Fuller
| director = Bruce Gowers
| starring = Ryan Seacrest
Paula Abdul
Simon Cowell
Randy Jackson
| country = USA
| filmed = Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, California (Hollywood)
CBS Television City (Finals)
Kodak Theater (Finale)
| network = FOX
| first_aired = June 11 2002
| last_aired = Present
| num_episodes = 25 (Season 1)
40 (Season 2)
44 (Season 3)
43 (Season 4)
41 (Season 5)
00 (Season 6)
| website = http://www.americanidol.com
| imdb_id = 0319931
| tv_com_id = 11307
}}'''''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.
[CTV.ca, http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/20050425/AmericanIdol-default/20060831/ American Idol] 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.
''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, 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 auditions
250px|thumb|right|An ''American Idol'' season 5 contestant (Tessie Mae Reid) reacts to Simon Cowell's negative critique during the auditions round in San Francisco, California|San Francisco.
In the show, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, hopeful contestants are screened by preliminary panels to be selected for singing talent
