From Kelly Clarkson to Carrie Underwood, a look back at a 15-year cultural phenomenon.
Kelly Clarkson, 20, of Burleson, Texas, left, and Justin Guarini, 23, of Doylestown, Pa., react to Clarkson winning during the final episode of Fox’s television competition “American Idol,” in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002. The winner earns a recording contract, and will release a CD single and later a full album.
(AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson)
AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson
Show judges Randy Jackson, left, Paula Abdul, center, and Simon Cowell wave to fans as the arrive for the final episode of Fox’s television competition “American Idol,” in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002. The winner earns a recording contract, and will release a CD single and later a full album.
(AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson)
AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson
Kelly Clarkson, 20, of Burleson, Texas, center, is surrounded by other finalists, including runner up Justin Guarini, right rear, after winning in the final episode of Fox’s television competition “American Idol,” in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002. The winner earns a recording contract, and will release a CD single and later a full album.
(AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson)
AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson
Ruben Studdard from Birmingham, Ala., left, jokingly shows his fist to fellow finalist Clay Aiken of Raleigh, N.C., while host Ryan Seacrest watches before the contestants’ final performances on “American Idol,” Tuesday, May 20, 2003, in Universal City, Calif.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Ruben Studdard, from Birmingham, Ala., right, celebrates after winning the American Idol competition as Clay Aiken, from Raleigh, N.C., looks on Wednesday, May 21, 2003, in Universal City, Calif.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Simon Cowell, left, speaks to the audience as fellow judges Paula Abdul, center, and Randy Jackson look on during the finals of Fox’s “American Idol,” Tuesday, May 25, 2004, at the Kodak Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Host Ryan Seacrest introduces competing “American Idol” finalists Fantasia Barrino, center, and Diana DeGarmo during the “American Idol” live finale, Wednesday, May 26, 2004, in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Fantasia Barrino reacts as she is hugged by the other finalists after she was announced the winner of “American Idol” during the live finale, Wednesday, May 26, 2004, in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
“American Idol” finalists Bo Bice, left, and Carrie Underwood, right, wave to the crowd from the stage with the show’s host Ryan Seacrest after their final performance at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, Tuesday, May 24, 2005.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Judges Randy Jackson, left, Paula Abdul, center, host Ryan Seacrest and judge Simon Cowell, left, are shown between live finale of Fox netwrok’s “American Idol” at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 25, 2005.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Carrie Underwood performs after winning FOX network’s “American Idol” finale at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles Wednesday, May 25, 2005. Underwood defeated fellow finalist Bo Bice to win the “American Idol.”
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
This Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005 file photo shows American Idol judges Simon Cowell, left, Paula Abdul, center, and Randy Jackson, right, as they answer a question at a news conference during taping auditions of the show in San Francisco. The producers of “Idol” apologized Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009 on behalf of its judges, who apparently misinterpreted what a contestant in Louisville, Ky., said after a failed audition. On his way out, Mark Mudd said: “Take care and be careful.”
(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file
Contestants Chris Daughtry, left, Taylor Hicks, and Bucky Covington, right, perform a medley as judges Paula Abdul, left foreground, and Randy Jackson applaud during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
“American Idol” finalists Katharine McPhee, left, of Los Angeles, and Taylor Hicks, right, from Birmingham, Ala., react to the audience as host Ryan Seacrest looks on after their final performances at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, Tuesday, May 23, 2006.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Taylor Hicks reacts after being announced the winner of season five of American Idol on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, in Los Angeles. At left is runner-up Katharine McPhee.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis perform “I Saw Her Standing There” during the opening act of the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 in Los Angeles.
(Matt Sayles/AP Images for Fox)
Matt Sayles/AP Images for Fox
Jordin Sparks performs moments after she is named the new American Idol Wednesday, May 23, 2007, in Los Angeles.
(Matt Sayles/AP Images for Fox)
Matt Sayles/AP Images for Fox
David Cook, right, and David Archuleta perform during the opening act of the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles.
(Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)
Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox
David Cook, center, is congratulated after being named the new American Idol during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles.
(Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)
Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox
Season 8 added Kara DioGuardi (second from left) to the “American Idol” judges’ table alongside Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, The group arrives at a promotional event for the show in New York in this Aug. 26, 2008 photo.
(AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, file)
AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, file
“American Idol” finalists Adam Lambert, left, and Kris Allen, right, pose with judge Paula Abdul before the “American Idol” finale in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 20, 2009.
(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Kris Allen, center, reacts in shock as Ryan Seacrest, right, announces the winner of American Idol on Wednesday May 20, 2009, in Los Angeles. At left, is Adam Lambert.
(Evans Vestal Ward/AP Images for Fox)
Evans Vestal Ward/AP Images for Fox
Season 9 added comedian Ellen DeGeneres to the judges’ table. In the above photo, she poses for photographers in the photo room at the “American Idol” Idol Gives Back charity special in Los Angeles on Wednesday, April 25, 2007.
(AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Season 10 brought many changes, namely a shake-up of the judges to add Steven Tyler, left, and Jennifer Lopez, center, along with veteran Randy Jackson. Here, the “American Idol” judges take part in a panel discussion during the FOX Broadcasting Company Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011.
(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Finalists Scotty McCreery, left, and Lauren Alaina are seen onstage before host Ryan Seacrest announced the winner at the “American Idol” finale on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Scotty McCreery reacts after winning at the “American Idol” finale on Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in Los Angeles. Other “American Idol” contestants are seen congratulating him.
(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Finalists Phillip Phillips, left, and Jessica Sanchez appear onstage at the “American Idol” finale on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in Los Angeles.
(Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)
Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP
Runner-up Jessica Sanchez, left, congratulates winner Phillip Phillips onstage at the “American Idol” finale on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in Los Angeles.
(Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)
Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP
Season 12 brought another shake-up to the judge’s table to now include Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj. Here they attend the Fox Winter TCA Tour at the Langham Huntington Hotel on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif.
(Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)
Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP
Host Ryan Seacrest, left, and finalists Candice Glover, center, and Kree Harrison speak on stage at the “American Idol” finale at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live on Thursday, May 16, 2013, in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP
Candice Glover performs on stage after she was announced the winner at the “American Idol” finale at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live on Thursday, May 16, 2013, in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP
Season 13 saw Randy Jackson move backstage as a mentor, introducing a new judges’ table of Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. Here, the new group of judges is seen during the panel of “American Idol” at the FOX Winter 2014 TCA, on Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena, Calif.
(Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
American Idol finalists Jena Irene, left, and Caleb Johnson perform on stage at the American Idol XIII finale at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)
Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP
Caleb Johnson reacts on stage after he is announced winner at the American Idol XIII finale at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, in Los Angeles. Looking on from right, Ryan Seacrest.
(Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)
Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNkACjkvekA
Clark Beckham, from left, host Ryan Seacrest and Nick Fradiani await results at the American Idol XIV finale at the Dolby Theatre on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Nick Fradiani reacts after he is announced the winner at the American Idol XIV finale at the Dolby Theatre on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Promoting the final farewell season, Ryan Seacrest, from left, Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez participate in the “American Idol” panel at the Fox Winter TCA on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, Pasadena, Calif.
(Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
“American Idol” kicks off a special three-night farewell Tuesday night with a 90-minute retrospective, followed by a final competition Wednesday and results show Thursday on FOX.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan who has watched all 15 seasons religiously, or bailed years ago only to come back to see how this sucker ends, one thing is for certain — it will be the end of an era.
Not only has “Idol” been a ratings juggernaut for the better part of 15 years — peak viewership averaging a 12.6 rating — it has grown from simple singing competition to undisputed cultural phenomenon.
You can’t overstate the show’s pop culture impact.
“Idol” inspired countless “reality competition” imitations, including “The Voice,” “Nashville Star,” “America’s Got Talent,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” “Dancing with the Stars” and “X-Factor.”
It provided a reason for post-9/11 families to gather around television sets and feel optimistic again, adapting to emerging cell-phone technology and learning to text as a way of casting their votes.
It elevated host Ryan Seacrest into both the Dick Clark and Casey Kasem of the 21st century, landing him coveted hosting gigs on TV’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” and radio’s “American Top 40.” But he didn’t become the hardest working man in showbiz overnight. It was Seacrest who built his brand, opening each show with “This … is ‘American Idol,'” building the suspense, “After the break,” and closing out each show with his signature quip, “Seacrest, out.” Poor Brian Dunkleman.
Its judges became household names, especially the trio of Simon Cowell (“Absolutely dreadful”), Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson (“Dawg, we’ve got a hot one tonight! She’s in it to win it!”), whose departures left a revolving door of Kara Dioguardi, Ellen DeGeneres, Steven Tyler, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj before settling on a solid trio of Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr.
Even the most infamous auditions became pop culture staples. Who can forget William Hung’s energetic rendition of Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs,” Larry Platt’s original lyrics to “Pants on the Ground” or Sanjaya Malakar making an underdog run thanks to “Vote for the Worst” campaigns?
Often the runners-up became the show’s biggest winners. Clay Aiken turned his defeat to Ruben Studdard into an “Invisible” pop career for devoted fans. Jennifer Hudson turned her Season 3 ousting into an Academy Award victory for “Dreamgirls” (2006). Chris Daughtry overcame his shocking Season 5 elimination to become a chart-topping rock radio star. And Adam Lambert shook off his loss to Kris Allen to replace the late Freddie Mercury as the new frontman for Queen.
Then, of course, there were the winners, the most successful of which were undoubtedly Season 1 champ Kelly Clarkson and Season 4 victor Carrie Underwood. Clarkson has won three Grammys across a string of hits, including “Miss Independent,” “Since U Been Gone,” “Breakaway,” “Because of You” and “Stronger,” while Underwood has won a whopping seven Grammys amid cranking out country gems like “Jesus Take the Wheel,” “Before He Cheats,” “Wasted” and “All-American Girl.”
To truly appreciate the show’s hit-making legacy, check out Billboard’s list of the Top 100 “American Idol” Hits. You’ll be surprised at how many you remember — and how many you’ll never forget.
Television execs “wait a lifetime” for a show like this, and for the better part of 15 years, “American Idol” caught lightning in a bottle, transfixing audiences and reshaping our pop culture.
So as we wait to see how FOX will close out the final week — Clarkson and Underwood will definitely perform on the series finale, but will we also see a reunion by Simon, Paula and Randy? — I beg you to forget the cheesy bubble-gum excesses, shameless product placement and faulty popular votes.
Instead, think about the show’s root legacy: plucking rough diamonds from obscurity and giving them a national stage, transforming hungry unknowns into international superstars, and offering “golden tickets” to the American Dream as dreamers rush to tell their families, “I’m going to Hollywood!”
Hailed by The Washington Post for “his savantlike ability to name every Best Picture winner in history," Jason Fraley began at WTOP as Morning Drive Writer in 2008, film critic in 2011 and Entertainment Editor in 2014, providing daily arts coverage on-air and online.
