American Idol: The Search For A Superstar
Coming soon to a casino lounge, wedding, or bar mitzvah near you: it's  the contestants ofAmerican Idol. This 90-minute highlights recap extends  the proverbial 15 minutes of fame for the hopefuls who galvanized the nation as  they contended for a recording contract. This talent show--partStar Search, partThe Gong Show, partA Chorus Line--was an instant  pop-culture phenomenon, but the breakout star of this series was arguably not  winnerKelly Clarkson,  she of the powerhouse voice, or even runner-up Jason Guarini, he of the Sideshow  Bob hair. One of the judges, record producer Simon "Prince of Darkness" Cowell,  emerged as the show's villain who audiences loved to hate. (A bonus segment on  this DVD, "When Judges Attack," replays Simon's nastiest feuds with disgruntled  contestants and fellow judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.) Relive the agony (staged comedy bits and bloopers with series hosts Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman, who, if nothing else, gaveSaturday Night Live's Jimmy Fallon a prime target for parody), the triumphant solo performances, the cheesy ensemble numbers that went out with Up with People, and the onstage drama over who America would next vote offstage (the Tamyra Gray contingent is no doubt still in shock). On the DVD, a wealth of behind-the-scenes footage documenting each stage of the contest process should satisfyIdol-philes.--Donald Liebenson