#3 – The Idol Series
Way back in 2001, British pop mogul Simon Fuller created a show called Pop Idol. It was a huge success in the UK, and the talent show format was quickly picked up in the US and Australia, creating American Idol and Australian Idol. Pop Idol itself went on a very long break after two seasons when judge Simon Cowell (who also appears as a judge on American Idol) launched his own talent show, The X Factor.
Hopeful singers come in, sing in front of a panel of judges, and are promptly launched to stardom (if they are any good). Every week, the team of judges assesses the potential stars on their performance and votes out the failures until the week of the big finale, where the winner will receive a record contract. You may be familiar with some past American Idol winners: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jordin Sparks. It’s also worth mentioning third season runner-up Jennifer Hudson, who went on to Hollywood success and has won both an Oscar and a Grammy since the show.
Since the early days the Idol series has grown immensely, with American Idol in particular becoming a glitzy, celebrity-filled affair. It has attracted numerous high-profile judges to sit alongside Simon Cowell, including Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Lopez, and Steve Tyler.