American Idol Trivia Questions and Answers
American Idol was based on what British show?
A: Pop Idol, created by Simon Fuller.
Who persuaded Rupert Murdoch, head of
Fox's parent company,
to buy the show?
A: His daughter Elisabeth, who was a fan of the British show.
The show was renamed what?
A: American Idol: The Search for a Superstar.
When did the show début?
A: In the summer of 2002.
Cowell was initially offered the job as showrunner but he
what?
A: Refused; Lythgoe then took over that position.
Much to Cowell's surprise, it became what?
A: One of the hit shows for the summer that year.
By 2004, the show, had became the what?
A: The most-watched TV show in the U.S.
How long did the show hold that position?
A: Eight straight years.
The show had originally planned on having how many judges?
A: Four.
By the time of the audition round in the first season, what
judges in place?
A: Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.
How long did all three of the original judges stay on the
judging panel?
A: For eight seasons.
Who was added as a judge in season eight?
A: Kara DioGuardi.
How long did Kara stay?
A: For two seasons.
Paula Abdul left the show before season nine after what?
A: Failing to agree terms with the show producers.
Who replaced Paula Abdul for that season?
A: Ellen DeGeneres.
What did Simon Cowell announce, on January 11, 2010?
A: That he was leaving the show.
Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joined the judging panel in
which season?
A: Ten.
Both left after how many seasons?
A: Two.
They were replaced by what three new judges?
A: Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban.
Both Carey and Minaj left after how long?
A: One season.
Randy Jackson announced that he would depart the show after
twelve seasons as a judge, but would return as a what?
A: Mentor.
Urban is the only judge from season 12 to do what?
A: Return in season 13.
Urban was joined by previous judge Jennifer Lopez and what
former mentor?
A: Harry Connick, Jr.
Lopez, Urban and Connick, Jr. will all return as judges for
the show's what?
A: Fourteenth season.
Lionel Richie was a what in season two?
A: Guest judge.
The first season was co-hosted by Ryan Seacrest and whom?
A: Brian Dunkleman.
Dunkleman quit making Seacrest the sole emcee of the show
starting with what season?
A: Season two.
The eligible age-range for contestants is currently what?
A: Fifteen to twenty-eight years old.
The initial age limit was what in the first three seasons?
A: Sixteen to twenty-four.
Contestants go through at least how many sets of cuts?
A: Three.
How many contestants get sent to Hollywood from each city?
A: Between 10–60 people.
