Official FOX synopsis Every year, tens of thousands of hopefuls from across the nation audition for a shot at stardom and a chance to be the next American Idol. The show’s judges – Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson – winnow down the competitors to a select group of semifinalists who sing their hearts out each week for the studio audience and the television viewers. The judges have their say after every performance, but it’s the viewing public that determines who will advance to the next round of the competition and who will go home. Voting via telephone and text messaging begins immediately after each performance show, and the results are announced during the following night’s broadcast.

Randy Jackson:
“Yeah, dawg!” probably sums him up (well most of him). As a Grammy award-winning producer, he has worked with such music biz heavyweights as Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, *NSYNC, Madonna, Elton John and Destiny's Child. He also has stints working for Columbia Records and MCA Records on his resumé. As an American Idol judge, he plays the fence, falling somewhere between the harsh, often too critical Simon Cowell and the soft, often too lenient Paula Abdul. He is currently producing the hit show Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Next Dance Crew on MTV.

Paula Abdul:
You probably know her from her hit reality show, “Hey Paula!” (Just kidding). She has topped the charts with hit songs and has managed to score herself everything from a Grammy Award to a Kid’s Choice Award for her music and choreography. On American Idol, Paula is considered the most sensitive of the judges, giving the most positive feedback of the three. Although the show contestants love her, the rest of the world can’t help but criticize her because of her very public snafus. This past season she critiqued two performances by Jason Castro, when he only performed once. She cleared up the debacle on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show, claiming she was confused because she had seen Jason perform during dress rehearsal.

Simon Cowell:
Who doesn’t know Simon Cowell? He’s the critical, opinionated and more often than not, most honest and insightful judge on American Idol. He gives voice to what most of us are thinking, and is criticized because of it. Through his UK-based entertainment company, SyCo he has created America’s Got Talent and American Inventor.

Season 7
7- 1 Philadelphia, PA Auditions (1.15.08)
7- 2 Dallas, TX Auditions (1.16.08)
7- 3 San Diego, CA Auditions (1.22.08)
7- 4 Charleston, SC Auditions (1.23.08)
7- 5 Omaha, NE Auditions (1.29.08)
7- 6 Miami, FL Auditions (1.30.08)
7- 7 Atlanta, GA Auditions (2.5.08)
7- 8 Best of the Rest Auditions (2.6.08)
7- 9 Hollywood Round 1 (2.12.08)
7-10 Hollywood Round 2 (2.13.08)
7-11 The Top 12 Boys Perform (2.19.08)
7-12 The Top 12 Girls Perform (2.20.08)
7-13 First All New Live Results Show (2.21.08)
7-14 The Top 10 Boys Perform (2.28.08)
7-15 The Top 10 Girls Perform (2.27.08)
7-16 Four More Go Home (2.28.08)
7-17 The Top 8 Boys Perform (3.4.08)
7-18 The Top 8 Girls Perform (3.5.08)
7-19 Four More Go Home - Top 12 Revealed (3.6.08)
7-20 The Top 12 Perform Live (3.11.08)
7-21 One Of The Top 12 Must Go Home Tonight! (3.12.08)
7-22 Top 11 Finalists Compete Live, Lennon/McCartney Round 2 (3.18.08)
7-23 One More Goes Home Tonight! (3.19.08)
7-24 The Top 10 Perform Live (3.25.08)
7-26 One Must Go Home Tonight! Find Out Who Is Eliminated (3.26.08)
7-26 The Top 9 Perform Live (4.1.08)
7-26 One Must Go Home Tonight! 8 Finalists Remain (4.2.08)
7-28 The Top 8 Finalists Perform (4.8.08)
7-29 Idol Gives Back 2008 (4.9.08)
7-30 One Must Go Home Tonight! 7 Finalists Remain (4.10.08)
7-31 Top 7 Perform (4.15.08)
7-32 One Must Go Home Tonight! 6 Finalists Remain (4.16.08)
7-33 Top 6 Perform With Some Tips From Andrew Lloyd Webber (4.22.08)
7-34 One Must Go Home Tonight! 5 Finalists Remain (4.23.08)
7-35 Top 5 Perform (4.29.08)
7-36 One Must Go Home Tonight! Top 4 Finalists Remain (4.30.08)
7-37 Top 4 Perform Live (5.6.08)
7-38 One Must Go Home Tonight! 3 Finalists Remain (5.7.08)
7-39 2 Guys And A Diva Perform (5.13.08)
7-40 One Must Go Home Tonight! Only Two Will Continue Their Quest When The Voting Results Are Revealed (5.14.08)
7-41 David Archuleta Vs. David Cook (5.20.08)
7-42 And The Winner Is... (5.21.08)

Ryan Seacrest (host)
Simon Cowell (judge)
Randy Jackson (judge)
Paula Abdul (judge)

Winners:
Season 1: Kelly Clarkson
Season 2: Ruben Studdard
Season 3: Fantasia Barrino
Season 4: Carrie Underwood
Season 5: Taylor Hicks
Season 6: Jordin Sparks
Season 7: David Cook

Season 7
David Archuleta
Jason Castro
David Cook
Kristy Lee Cook
Michael Johns
Ramiele Malubay
Syesha Mercado
Carly Smithson
Brooke White
Chikezie Eze
Amanda Overmyer
David Hernandez
Asia'H Epperson
Kady Malloy
Luke Menard
Danny Noriega
Alexandrea Lushington
Robbie Carrico
Alaina Whitaker
Jason Yeager
Colton Berry
Joanne Borgella
Amy Davis
Garrett Haley