What is american idol? you mean you never heard about it before? This is what wiki defines

American Idol (titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar in the first season) is a reality competition to find new solo musical talent, created by Simon Fuller. It debuted on June 11, 2002 on the Fox network, and has since become one of the most popular shows on American television. It's currently the #1 TV show and is one of only three that have been #1 in the Nielsen Ratings for five consecutive seasons, along with All in the Family and The Cosby Show. Part of the Idol franchise, it is a spinoff from the reality program Pop Idol, which first aired in 2001 in the United Kingdom.

The program seeks to discover the best singer in the country through a series of nation-wide auditions. Through phone voting America has chosen past winners Kelly Clarkson (Season One), Ruben Studdard (Season Two), Fantasia Barrino (Season Three), Carrie Underwood (Season Four), Taylor Hicks (Season Five), Jordin Sparks (Season Six), David Cook (Season Seven), and Kris Allen (Season Eight).

In order to aid voters, the judges give critiques of the contestants' performances: Grammy award-winning record producer and music manager Randy Jackson; award-winning music executive and music manager Simon Cowell; and Grammy award-nominated singer-songwriter and record producer Kara DioGuardi. Grammy award-winning pop singer and Emmy award-winning choreographer Paula Abdul was a judge for seasons one through eight.[1] The format originally featured three judges with DioGuardi added in the eighth season. After Abdul's exit, on September 9, 2009, Ellen DeGeneres was confirmed to be her replacement.[2]

For all the show's seasons, it is currently hosted by veteran television personality and former children's game show host, Ryan Seacrest. Comedian Brian Dunkleman co-hosted with Seacrest during the first season. The American Idol band is led by Rickey Minor.

The show usually airs on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in the United States and Canada, Wednesday and Thursday nights in Australia and Asia, Thursday and Friday nights on digital television in the United Kingdom Friday and Saturday nights in Israel, and Saturday and Sunday nights in Latin America.