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'''American Idol''' is a televised [[talent show]] in which [[singer]]s compete for a recording contract.  

'''American Idol''' is a televised [[talent show]] in which amateur [[singer]]s compete for a recording contract and the title of ''American Idol''.  

The singers are chosen by auditions in several cities throughout the United States. After over one hundred thousand contestants <ref>http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/05/simon-cowell-de.html</ref> <ref>http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/20061220/American_Idol_season6_20061220/20061220/</ref> audition in several locations throughout the U.S., a group is chosen by the panel of judges to continue in the competition. These singers will appear on the television show.  

The singers are chosen by auditions in several cities throughout the United States. After over one hundred thousand contestants <ref>http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/05/simon-cowell-de.html</ref> <ref>http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/20061220/American_Idol_season6_20061220/20061220/</ref> audition in several locations throughout the U.S., a group is chosen by the panel of judges to continue in the competition. These singers will appear on the television show.  

The original panel of judges consisted of: Randy Jackson (a music producer), singer [[Paula Abdul]], and music publisher [[Simon Cowell]]. <ref>http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/53/P3QW.html</ref> Later the panel increased to four judges, with the addition of Kara DioGuardi. It was recently announced that Paula Abdul was no longer with the show, and that Simon Cowell would also be leaving in the near future, and a new celebrity judge, [[Ellen DeGeneres]] would be added.  

The original panel of judges consisted of: Randy Jackson (a music producer), singer [[Paula Abdul]], and music publisher [[Simon Cowell]]. <ref>http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/53/P3QW.html</ref> Later the panel increased to four judges, with the addition of Kara DioGuardi. Paula Abdul left the show after several seasons and a new celebrity judge, [[Ellen DeGeneres]] replaced her. It was recently announced that Simon Cowell would also be leaving in the near future.  

The show runs for several weeks.  Each week viewers are given the opportunity to phone in their vote for their favorite singer during a (typically) 2-hour period following the conclusion of each show. The results are announced the following night, and each week the singer with the least number of votes leaves the show. The group of singers decreases each week, and finally the one singer who remains wins the title of American Idol.

The show runs for several weeks.  Each week viewers are given the opportunity to phone in their vote for their favorite singer during a (typically) 2-hour period following the conclusion of each show. The results are announced the following night, and each week the singer with the least number of votes leaves the show. The group of singers decreases each week, and finally the one singer who remains wins the title of American Idol.