Are you the lone holdout
– the only person on Earth – who has yet to watch the phenomenon
that is
”
American Idol
”
?
Are you the lone holdout – the only person on Earth – who has yet to watch the phenomenon that is “American Idol”?
Well, now you say you’re going to get into the spirit of things. You’ve got your game face on – but beyond knowing Paula, Simon and Randy, you’re at a bit of a loss. Don’t worry – we’ve got your back.
Here is your essential “American Idol” A to Z, a guide to everything you need to know to stay on pitch.
“Aiiight,” as in judge Randy Jackson’s pronunciation of “All right”: Jackson’s go-to assessment of average singers (“It was just aiiight for me, dawg.”) has also caught on among bloggers and message-board posters as a catchall phrase when the show or a singer doesn’t quite measure up.
Birmingham, Ala.: This city boasts not one but two “AI” winners – Season 2’s Ruben Studdard and Season 5’s Taylor Hicks. See also: “D.”
Crown: Six winners have become “American Idol” royalty. The champs are, in order of seasons: Kelly Clarkson, Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Hicks and Jordin Sparks.
Dropped: Sorry Birmingham – both your Idols were recently kicked to the J Records curb.
Emancipated: Speaking of being kicked to the curb, Season 5 runner-up Katharine McPhee just parted ways with RCA. Both McPhee and RCA are staying mum as to who actually initiated the breakup, but last year McPhee told Billboard magazine she was disappointed that two of her favorite tracks didn’t make it to the album.
Factor: As in the “Yo Factor,” that special star quality that Jackson says separates the Idols from the amateurs.
Girls vs. boys: The show’s semi-finalists are split into two groups – 12 men vs. 12 women. Each week, one from each camp is voted off by viewers until the contestants are whittled down to the final dozen.
Hung, as in William: As in that guy who massacred Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” during his audition for Season 3, but then quickly became a campy overnight sensation.
Internet fan sites: AmericanIdolClub.com, Idol-Mania.com and WatchingAmericanIdol.com, to name just a few.
Justin Guarini: The Season one runner-up who, at this point, perhaps is best known for co-starring with that year’s winner, Clarkson, in “From Justin to Kelly.”
Kodak Theatre: The Los Angeles entertainment venue is home to the show’s season finale.
Loser: Which actually doesn’t always mean you’re
a loser. Just ask Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken,
not to mention contestant Chris Daughtry –
both have enjoyed mega album sales.
Mandisa: The single-named Citrus Heights native reached ninth place on the show’s fifth season.
Nigel Lythgoe: He’s the “American Idol” producer who never rests, although you may know him better as the “So You Think You Can Dance?” judge.
Oscar: Season 3’s Jennifer Hudson was voted off sixth, but we’re guessing that her win for best supporting actress at the Academy Awards for “Dreamgirls” was a sweet consolation prize.
Phone overload: More than 24 million fans logged their votes for the Season 2 winner, with Studdard nudging out Aiken by 130,000 votes. Conspiracy theorists claimed that an overloaded system lost track of 150 million votes – and robbed Aiken of the ultimate prize.
Quit: In 2005, Season 4’s Mario Vasquez became the only contestant to voluntarily leave the show, citing “personal family” issues.
Ryan Seacrest: After producers didn’t renew Season 1 co-host Brian Dunkleman’s contract, Seacrest emerged as the sole emcee.
Scandal: There have been a few, but perhaps none so juicy as Corey Clark. First, the Season 2 contestant was disqualified after producers learned of his 2002 arrest on suspicion of assaulting his sister. Then, Clark claimed he had an affair with judge Paula Abdul. She denied the charge.
Theme nights: Each week (until only three finalists remain), contestants perform songs that fit a certain theme, such as Motown or Broadway hits. Theme nights have also featured songs from one artist, such as Elvis Presley, or “mentoring” from Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Lopez.
Universal: So you think “American Idol” is a hit only here? It’s also huge in the United Kingdom, where it originated as “Pop Idol.” Different versions of the show are produced in more than three dozen nations, and the U.S. version airs in 150 nations.
Vote: Viewers in each U.S. time zone have two hours after a broadcast to call or text in their vote. And yes, you may vote as many times as you wish.
Worst: As in www.votefortheworst.com, a Web site that encourages viewers to “support voting for the entertaining contestants who the producers would hate to see win on ‘American Idol.'” The site claimed responsibility for the baffling long-term success of Season 6 contestant Sanjaya Malakar.
X-rated: As in those racy photos of contestants Frenchie Davis (Season 2) and Antonella Barba (Season 6) that popped up on the Internet.
Young: As in Ace Young. In 2007, the Season 5 singer dished up ice cream (and, yes, performed) in a mini-backyard concert in California. The show, attended by approximately 25 lucky fans, was part of a 10-city, Dreyer’s ice cream-sponsored contest.
Zero: As in the number of chart-topping hits produced by a Season 6 contestant. So far, only winner Sparks has managed to crack the Top 10 – which isn’t saying much. According to Billboard, Sparks’ self-titled album is the lowest-charting debut for an “Idol” winner; it peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard album chart.
