Changes

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. 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 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. Fox Broadcasting Co. announced July 29, 2010 that Ellen DeGeneres will leave her role as a judge on "American Idol," in what is likely to be the first of several changes. "American Idol" remains the most-watched show on U.S. television by a solid margin. But it has suffered four consecutive years of decline, and Fox says its number of viewers was down 9% in the most recent season compared with a year earlier. <ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704532204575398014161199490.html?mod=googlenews_wsj WSJ; DeGeneres leaving Idol]</ref>

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.

"The charity initiative Idol Gives Back raised $64 million in 2008 for groups including Children's Health Fund and Malaria No More." <ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D96Q1H8G0&show_article=1 Pop culture sings an `American Idol' tune], Lynn Elber, ''Associated Press'', March 8, 2009</ref>

"The charity initiative Idol Gives Back raised $64 million in 2008 for groups including Children's Health Fund and Malaria No More." <ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D96Q1H8G0&show_article=1 Pop culture sings an `American Idol' tune], Lynn Elber, ''Associated Press'', March 8, 2009</ref>

The winners to date:  

'''The winners to date:'''

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

| Season 8

| Season 8

| [[Kris Allen]]

| [[Kris Allen]]

|}  

|}