American Idol is a successful singing talent search created by Simon Fuller that gives the american citizens the opportunity to showcase their talent in singing/performing. It has started last 2002, and recently, the 11th season has just concluded. I am an idol fanatic but I was not able to start watching the show from the very 1st season, maybe because it was not yet introduced in any local channels here in the Philippines before, but somehow I am familiar with the songs released and sometimes I am amazed if that song and singer was a product of the said show. since from the very beginning, Ryan Seacrest was the host of American idol, the one who announces the good and bad news every results show and the finale.
The Judges
Their job was to select the Idol hopefuls from the auditions and trim them down to 24 who will start to gain the votes of the nation. But in the earlier seasons, I think they selected more than 24. After selecting 24 idols, the decision now goes to the voting public, until it reaches the Top 12, one by one will get eliminated as the idol gets the lowest number of votes, up to naming the season's winner. The only job of the judges by that time was to give positive comments and constructive criticisms that may affect the votes that comes from the viewing public.
Randy Jackson
I may say he was the veteran among the past and present idol judges because he was already an Idol judge from season 1 up to the present. Known for giving a not-so-harsh comment if he didn't like the performance of an idol or standing ovation if he likes a performance, known for his different famous lines such as "for-you-for-me" or "for-me-for-you", and lately "you can sing the phonebook".
Paula Abdul
A popular singer of her generation, and known to be the most kind, most gentle among the past and present idol judges. During the auditions, if she doesn't like a performance from an idol hopeful, instead of saying "NO", she just escapes the decision and says "i have to pass" and leaves the decision to the remaining judges, even though the two judges will definitely say "NO". She seldom gives negative comments or constructive criticism to a performance, maybe she always looks at the brighter side of every performance. Paula served as an idol judge from season 1 to season 8.
Simon Cowell
The Judge that is well-known for giving his fearless comments be it negative or positive to every performance, and doesn't care if he is being "booed" by the fans of the idol, according to some trivias, he is the idol judge that can't sing but has fine hearing ability perfect to judge a performance. Simon has been an Idol judge from season 1 up to season 9 and became a judge on x-factor.
Kara DioGuardi
Addition to the idol judge was a singer-songwriter, record producer, music publisher and a tv personality, Kara DioGuardi who served as an idol judge from season 8 to 9. Remembered for her showdown to a bikini idol hopeful Katrina Darell with their rendition of vision of love by Mariah Carey. Also known for sweetening a bad news by saying "sweetie" to an idol hopeful who lacks something in his/her performance on the audition according to a vtr tribute to her in one of the idol finale show. She got married a year after not renewing her contract as judge on american idol.
Ellen DeGeneres
Another addition to the idol judges was Ellen DeGeneres, a TV host, a stand-up comedian and an actress. She replaced Paula Abdul on the 9th season of american idol. Her role as a judge started during the beginning of the hollywood week. after judging for the said season, she also departed from the show.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez was one of the Idol Judge replacement after Ellen and Kara's exit to the show. She started serving as idol judge last season 10 and currently one of the judges in the recently concluded 11th season of the show. This judge was also known for giving a standing ovation every time there was a great performance from an idol. And also during her first year as judge on idol, her single "ON the floor" was released.
Steven Tyler
Together with JLo, he is also an idol judge replacing Ellen and Kara. Popularly known as the lead vocalist of the band Aerosmith. He started as judge on american idol last season 10 and currently one of the judges in the recently concluded 11th season of the show. He is also one of the judges who was known for giving a standing o, for a deserving performance, and also gives his fearless negative comments whether he doesn't like a specific performance.
The Judges' Save Vote
This was the Power of the Judges to save an idol from elimination, if the idol doesn't deserved to be eliminated. This was used only once through out the season and only valid until top 5. Once it has been used, 2 idols will be eliminated the following week. Mechanics: After Announced as being eliminated, An idol will be given a chance to sing once again and that's the time that the judges will decide whether to save the idol or not, and it should be unanimous. This power has started last Season 8, and so far, there are 4 successful recipient of the save vote, and they are:
Matt Giraud
He was the first Idol to receive the Save Vote from the judges after his elimination during Season 8's Top 7 results show, singing Have you ever really loved a woman? by Bryan Adams. The following week after being saved by the judges, Lil Rounds and Anoop Desai has been eliminated. Giraud was then eliminated during the Top 5 results show.
Michael Lynche
Casey Abrams
He was the third Idol to receive this save power from the judges after his elimination during Season 10's Top 11 results show, singing I heard it through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. The following week after being saved by the judges, Naima Adedapo and Thia Megia has been eliminated. Abrams lasted until Top 6 and was then eliminated.
Jessica Sanchez
She was the fourth Idol to receive the save vote from the judges after her elimination during Season 11's Top 7 results show singing Stuttering by Jazmine Sullivan. She was the first female recipient of the save vote and so far the most successful recipient of the save vote from the judges as she reaches the top 2 and battled at the finale with Phillip Phillips. She was announced the Runner-up of the season. following her elimination and saved by the judges, only Colton Dixon was eliminated the following week.
The Season Winners
Each season, there can only be 1 American Idol, and these are the music icons who successfully won the votes of America from season 1 to 11.
Season 1: Kelly Clarkson
She was the very first winner of American idol and one of the most successful Idols after the contests for having several number of songs that became popular especially her winning piece A moment like this. Justin Guarini was declared her runner-up.
Season 2: Ruben Studdard
The 2nd winner of the show with his winning piece Flying without wings by westlife. One of his single was also used as an idol farewell song. Clay Aiken was his runner-up.
Season 3: Fantasia Barrino
Season 4: Carrie Underwood
The 4th winner of the American Idol, a country singer with her winning song Inside your heaven. Jesus take the wheel was one of her popular songs. She took home several awards from Grammy. Bo Bice was declared her runner-up.
Season 5: Taylor Hicks
The 5th winner of American Idol and the 2nd Guy winner, after Ruben Studdard last season 2 after defeating his runner-up Katherine McPhee with his winning piece and first single Do I make you proud.
Season 6: Jordin Sparks
The 6th Idol winner, the 4th and so far the last female winner of American Idol. Became popular with some of her songs Tattoo, One Step at a time and No Air (Duet with Chris Brown). Her winning song was This is my now. Blake Lewis was declared her Runner-up.
Season 7: David Cook
The 7th winner and the 1st Rock star winner of American Idol. The beginning of continuous Male idol winners and the reign of what they so-called WGWG or "White Guy with a Guitar" starts from him. This season Became popular in the country due to the entry of another Filipino-American into the top 12, Ramiele Malubay even though she was eliminated in the earlier part of the competition. Another Filipino named Renaldo Lapuz auditioned the same season with his original composition We're Brothers Forever which is according to him it was dedicated to Simon Cowell. In the Middle part of the season, Cook's remake of the song Always be my baby by Mariah Carey became popular and played in different radio stations. His runner-up David Archuleta also became popular after this season.
Season 8: Kris Allen
He was the 8th season winner, after defeating his runner-up rock star Adam Lambert wherein both battled not just for the title but for their first single, the winning piece No Boundaries. some of his songs entered the billboard charts such as Live like were dying.
Season 9: Lee Dewyze
A folk/indie singer was this season's winner after defeating his runner-up Crystal Bowersox with his winning song Beautiful Day. in July 2012, his album entitled Live it up was then released with his single Live it up.
Season 10: Scotty McCreery
A Male country singer was this season's winner, the 6th male idol winner after winning against Lauren Alaina, his runner-up with his winning song I love you this big. Another song of him entitled Please Remember Me was used as an idol farewell song in the recently concluded American Idol Season 11. Another Filipino-American made it to the top 12 (Thia Megia) but was eliminated in the earlier part of the show with fellow contestant Naima.
Season 11: Phillip Phillips
He was the latest winner of American Idol after winning against his runner-up, Jessica Sanchez, with his winning song Home. This was another season that became popular not just in the US and Philippines but also worldwide, as they opened the Online-voting wherein fans from different parts of the world can vote for their favorite Idol through online on their website. It was the first season that Filipino-Mexican-American made it to the finale. Some people said that Jessica should have been the winner. They were both great and deserved to be in the finale. If they just allowed a tie..haha just kidding. :)
Who really should have won? (for me): My Personal Bets every Season
Personally, I was not able to watch the show from the very beginning since that time, it was also the reign of different singing contests, talent search and reality shows on television but I was able to hear some of the vocals from season 1 up to present. Here are my personal bets every season. PS. please allow me to have ties for every season :)if I have more than 1 favorites in every season, let's all admit, American Idol is a great show with great talents, great vocals and great performances.
Season 1
Kelly Clarson
Justin Guarini
Tamyra Gray
Season 2
Clay Aiken
Season 3
Fantasia Barrino
Jasmine Trias
Jennifer Hudson
Season 4
Carrie Underwood
Season 5
Elliott Yamin
Katherine McPhee
Chris Daughtry
Season 6
Melinda Doolittle
Season 7
David Cook
David Archuleta
Syesha Mercado
Brooke White
Season 8
Kris Allen
Allison Iraheta
Danny Gokey
Season 9
Crystal Bowersox
Season 10
Pia Toscano
Lauren Alaina
Season 11
Jessica Sanchez
Phillip Phillips
Skylar Laine
So, that's it, those were some of my thoughts and a lil knowledge about the show.. thanks for reading this blog post of mine. No copyright infringement intended, photos courtesy of various websites from the internet.. Have a good day! :)
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