American Idol concludes its amazing run as a top television show and pop culture influence in April with its Season 15 finale. Now in its closing weeks it’s important to look back at Idol’s long history.
It all started back in 2002 with the then unknown Kelly Clarkson impressing the Judges, the original panel with Simon, Randy, and Paula, before she went on to win the show and a path to stardom.
The next season Idol had 38 million viewers tune in to see Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard face off in the Season 2 finale as the show continued its trajectory to be a ratings juggernaut.
Watching the clip below, which was last week’s intro video, it’s amazing to look back and realize how much the world has changed while we’ve known Idol as a common part of our TV and music culture. Funny to think how Facebook YouTube, and Twitter hadn’t even fully launched until years in to American Idol’s run.
We’re just a little over a month away from the end of American Idol. Sigh.