American Idol Addicts: Be a Superfan

The search for America's best undiscovered talent has swept the nation with the American Idol phenomenon. Each week, millions of viewers not only watch the show, but join in by voting for their favorite Idols. The amazing fact is that the show has kept the same basic format for the past five seasons while ratings and number of viewers continue to soar. Advertising has already begun for the new season that will start in January 2007. One can only imagine what Season 6 will hold with the claim that it will "better than ever!"

Idol Overview

If you have never seen American Idol, the first episodes of the show begin by giving the viewers a peek at beginning auditions of various contestants. Some of these singers have astounding talent while others cannot even define the word. The viewing audience has a broad view of the contestants, as well as the judges reactions. Most viewers pick their favorites and hope that these will succeed until the country has the opportunity to vote.

Contestants, slowly but surely, are narrowed down through more auditions in Hollywood, and the number eventually gets to the top twenty-four. This portion of the season has varied throughout the years as past seasons broke final contestants down into groups of eight and had a Wild Card night. The producers have recently been more practical and simplified this process to the top twelve girls and the top twelve guys. After they are determined, the audience is given the privilege of calling in to vote for the top six girls and top six guys.

After these final twelve are picked by America, week by week, one is eliminated to eventually determine the American Idol. During these last twelve weeks, contestants must sing songs in certain themed categories that the producers pick. Themes range from decades to music styles. The Idol winner must compete in each category, thus making the American Idol the most versatile singer!

Gift that Keeps on Giving

One reason that American Idol is in constant success is due to its constant marketing. The season may end in May, but because it is a reality show, its characters do not. The top twelve contestants are given the opportunity to give concerts throughout America during the summer. Viewers can watch their favorite contestants live without having to travel to a distant city. The Idol tour makes sure it hits all the major cities, especially catering to hometowns of certain contestants.

In the summer of 2003, I had the privilege of attending the Season 2 Idol tour, and it felt like I was in the audience of an American Idol show! Each finalist sang songs by themselves as well as singing in the group of twelve. Favorite songs from the season were performed and special spotlight attention was given to the top two winners.

The show also continues in popularity because of the paraphernalia sold in many stores. There is an American Idol board game as well as apparel that are sold in stores ranging from Wal-Mart to Barnes & Noble, but the vast advertising comes through CD sales. At least the winner and runner-up of each season are automatically given record deals by Clive Davis, but so many other contestants eventually sign record contracts from various other labels according to their styles and fortes.

CD sales are such a practical form of advertisement for a television show that bases its entire existence on popular music. More than a dozen finalists have recorded CDs that are available in music stores with styles ranging from pop to country to rock. Of course America would want a CD in their home of the contestant they voted for the most!

Other American Idol Shows

What is quite amazing from the success of this show is the result of other shows based on this reality television show. A viewer could end up watching a form of American Idol almost every day of the week!

Throughout the normal season, a show called American Idol Extras airs Friday nights on the Fox Reality Channel found on directv and other cable networks. This show allows the American Idol addicts to see interviews of their favorite contestants as well as some behind the scene footage.

Another show that has just begun October 2006 is American Idol Rewind. This show allows new fans to watch the highlights of past seasons, starting with Season 1. Along with walking the viewer through auditions and original airings of this season, new contestant interviews are shown. This show can be found on certain local stations as well as WGN out of Chicago on Sunday nights.

So, if you have never seen American Idol or maybe just missed past episodes, you should watch these shows to get yourself geared up and excited for the upcoming Season 6! Also, if you want to watch Season 5 again, you are in luck because the FoxReality Channel has been rerunning this season on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 8/7 CST. Jump on the bandwagon and become an American Idol Addict!