American Idol

Since its debut in June 2002, American Idol has been one of the most successful juggernauts in the history of television, dominating the ratings for six consecutive years. What started out as an interactive talent competition has evolved into a global media institution. Now in its tenth season Idol is reinventing itself, dramatically adding two music luminaries—Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler—as judges. The producers are also making several format modifications, from ending gender parity to a new sudden-death round. But the core mission remains: to discover the next recording star. Through the years Idol has remained a powerhouse in launching the careers of many diverse artists, including Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson, multiplatinum country singer Carrie Underwood, and the Tony-nominated Constantine Maroulis.