American Idol

(L-R) Judges Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell are seen live on American Idol March 3, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

(M Becker/American Idol 2009/Getty Images for Fox)

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American Idol is a popular U.S. singing competition, broadcast on Fox.

Idol captured the hearts of Americans back in 2002, when the show first debuted in the U.S. It was created by British entertainment exec Simon Fuller as a spinoff from the reality program Pop Idol in the UK. The show seeks to crown the nation's next top vocalist in the U.S. through a series of nationwide auditions, with viewers' votes used later in the game to narrow down the contestants and pick the winner.

But the program is as much about the judges as the performers. Simon Cowell, the most sharp-tongued of the four, is known for his blunt criticism of the singers. Cowell is often booed by the audience when he disapproves of the contestants, though Idol voters seem to take his remarks seriously and his favorites often do well in terms of advancing to the next round. Former '80s pop star/dancer Paula Abdul usually sits alongside Cowell, though her judging style is the opposite. Abdul delivers most of her criticism in a positive manner, keeping the contestants' spirits high. Former record producer and music manager Randy Jackson rounds out the original three judges, usually offering feedback in between the styles of Abdul and Cowell.

New to the show in season eight, Kara DioGuardi, a singer-songwriter and record producer, adds another woman's voice to the judging table. DioGuardi often focuses on the ups and downs of the performer's vocals while giving her feedback. Prior to DioGuardi, the show brought on guest judges from time to time. The show is also hosted by TV personality Ryan Seacrest, who interviews the contestants before and after they perform, and announces who's staying and going on the live show.

Idol is one of the highest-rated TV shows in the history of television, with the last few seasons consistently ending up in the top few slots in the annual Neilsen rankings. In 2007, Jeff Zucker, CEO for NBC Universal, and a competitor to Fox, said he thinks it's "the most impactful show in the history of television."

And appearing on Idol does seem to be a chance of a lifetime for young, aspiring artists. Idol brought singers like Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Jennifer Hudson to fame — and only Clarkson actually came in first place in the competition.

While contestants get the ultimate exposure on the show, some in the past have complained that the show's producers claim total control over the career of the winners, allowing them to sign contracts to record only with record companies owned by them and managed by those with ties to the show.

— Katie Rooney