meithnav/squad huggingface dataset:
Beginning in the tenth season[citation needed], permanent mentors were brought in during the live shows to help guide the contestants with their song choice and performance. Jimmy Iovine was the mentor in the tenth through twelfth seasons, former judge Randy Jackson was the mentor for the thirteenth season and Scott Borchetta was the mentor for the fourteenth and fifteenth season. The mentors regularly bring in guest mentors to aid them, including Akon, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, and current judge Harry Connick, Jr..

Question: Who was a mentor to the contestants on American Idol in its thirteenth season? 
Answer: Randy Jackson

Question: Who mentored contestants in the fourteenth and fifteenth seasons of American Idol?
Answer: Scott Borchetta

Question: What two things did the mentors help the contestants with?
Answer: song choice and performance

Question: Who was the mentor for seasons 10 - 12?
Answer: Jimmy Iovine

Question: Who was the mentor for season 13?
Answer: Randy Jackson

Question: Who was the mentor for seasons 14 and 15?
Answer: Scott Borchetta
The eligible age-range for contestants is currently fifteen to twenty-eight years old. The initial age limit was sixteen to twenty-four in the first three seasons, but the upper limit was raised to twenty-eight in season four, and the lower limit was reduced to fifteen in season ten. The contestants must be legal U.S. residents, cannot have advanced to particular stages of the competition in previous seasons (varies depending on the season, currently by the semi-final stage until season thirteen), and must not hold any current recording or talent representation contract by the semi-final stage (in previous years by the audition stage).

Question: What is the upper age limit for contestants on American Idol?
Answer: twenty-eight

Question: When was the age limit increased to 28?
Answer: season four

Question: Currently, contestants can not have a recording track by what stage of the competition? 
Answer: semi-final stage
From the semi-finals onwards, the fate of the contestants is decided by public vote. During the contestant's performance as well as the recap at the end, a toll-free telephone number for each contestant is displayed on the screen. For a two-hour period after the episode ends (up to four hours for the finale) in each US time zone, viewers may call or send a text message to their preferred contestant's telephone number, and each call or text message is registered as a vote for that contestant. Viewers are allowed to vote as many times as they can within the two-hour voting window. However, the show reserves the right to discard votes by power dialers. One or more of the least popular contestants may be eliminated in successive weeks until a winner emerges. Over 110 million votes were cast in the first season, and by season ten the seasonal total had increased to nearly 750 million. Voting via text messaging was made available in the second season when AT&T Wireless joined as a sponsor of the show, and 7.5 million text messages were sent to American Idol that season. The number of text messages rapidly increased, reaching 178 million texts by season eight. Online voting was offered for the first time in season ten. The votes are counted and verified by Telescope Inc.

Question: How many text message votes were there in season eight?
Answer: 178 million

Question: In which season was online voting introduced?
Answer: ten

Question: What company counts the votes on American Idol? 
Answer: Telescope Inc

Question: At what point does the public begin voting for contestants?
Answer: the semi-finals

Question: How many votes were cast for contestants in the first season?
Answer: Over 110 million

Question: How many votes were cast by season ten for all contestants?
Answer: nearly 750 million
The finals are broadcast in prime time from CBS Television City in Los Angeles, in front of a live studio audience. The finals lasted eight weeks in season one, eleven weeks in subsequent seasons until seasons ten and eleven which lasted twelve weeks except for season twelve, which lasted ten weeks, and season thirteen, which lasted for thirteen weeks. Each finalist performs songs based on a weekly theme which may be a musical genre such as Motown, disco, or big band, songs by artists such as Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley or The Beatles, or more general themes such as Billboard Number 1 hits or songs from the contestant's year of birth. Contestants usually work with a celebrity mentor related to the theme. In season ten, Jimmy Iovine was brought in as a mentor for the season. Initially the contestants sing one song each week, but this is increased to two songs from top four or five onwards, then three songs for the top two or three.

Question: Where studio hosts the live final rounds on American Idol?
Answer: CBS Television City

Question: Who was the mentor on season ten of American Idol? 
Answer: Jimmy Iovine

Question: How many weeks did the finals of season thirteen last?
Answer: thirteen

Question: How many weeks did the finals last in the first season?
Answer: eight

Question: Where are the finals broadcast from?
Answer: CBS Television City

Question: Who was a mentor for the contestants in Season 10?
Answer: Jimmy Iovine

Question: How many songs do contestants sing initially in the finals?
Answer: one

Question: When do contestants start singing two songs?
Answer: top four or five
The "Fan Save" was introduced in the fourteenth season. During the finals, viewers are given a five-minute window to vote for the contestants in danger of elimination by using their Twitter account to decide which contestant will move on to the next show, starting with the Top 8.

Question: In which season was the "Fan Save" first used?
Answer: fourteen

Question: How do people vote using the fan save?
Answer: Twitter

Question: What was introduced in season 14 to allow the fans to help save a contestant?
Answer: Fan Save

Question: How do viewers vote for a contestant using Fan Save?
Answer: Twitter

Question: When does the Fan Save start?
Answer: Top 8
In the audition rounds, 121 contestants were selected from around 10,000 who attended the auditions. These were cut to 30 for the semifinal, with ten going on to the finals. One semifinalist, Delano Cagnolatti, was disqualified for lying to evade the show's age limit. One of the early favorites, Tamyra Gray, was eliminated at the top four, the first of several such shock eliminations that were to be repeated in later seasons. Christina Christian was hospitalized before the top six result show due to chest pains and palpitations, and she was eliminated while she was in the hospital. Jim Verraros was the first openly gay contestant on the show; his sexual orientation was revealed in his online journal, however it was removed during the competition after a request from the show producers over concerns that it might be unfairly influencing votes.

Question: How many contestants made it past the first round of auditions?
Answer: 121

Question: How many people initially auditioned?
Answer: around 10,000

Question: Who was the first known homosexual contestant on American Idol?
Answer: Jim Verraros

Question: Which contestant was surprisingly eliminated during the top four episode? 
Answer: Tamyra Gray

Question: Where was Christina Christian at when she was eliminated from the show?
Answer: the hospital

Question: How many contestants were chosen from the 10,000 that auditioned?
Answer: 121

Question: Of the 121 chosen, how many became semi-finalists?
Answer: 30

Question: Which contestant was disqualified for lying about his age?
Answer: Delano Cagnolatti

Question: When was Tamyra Gray eliminated?
Answer: top four

Question: Who was eliminated while she was in the hospital due to chest pains?
Answer: Christina Christian
In May 2005, Carrie Underwood was announced the winner, with Bice the runner-up. Both Underwood and Bice released the coronation song "Inside Your Heaven". Underwood has since sold 65 million records worldwide, and become the most successful Idol contestant in the U.S., selling over 14 million albums copies in the U.S. and has more  Underwood has won seven Grammy Awards, the most Grammys by an "American Idol" alumnus.

Question: What year did Carrie Underwood win American Idol?
Answer: 2005

Question: How many record has Carrie Underwood sold since winning American Idol?
Answer: 65 million

Question: What was the first song released by Carrie Underwood after winning American Idol? 
Answer: Inside Your Heaven

Question: Which American Idol contestant has won the biggest number of Grammy Awards?
Answer: Carrie Underwood

Question: When was the winner declared?
Answer: May 2005

Question: Who was the winner of this season?
Answer: Carrie Underwood

Question: What song did the two finalists release?
Answer: Inside Your Heaven

Question: How many records has Underwood sold in America?
Answer: 14 million
Teenager Sanjaya Malakar was the season's most talked-about contestant for his unusual hairdo, and for managing to survive elimination for many weeks due in part to the weblog Vote for the Worst and satellite radio personality Howard Stern, who both encouraged fans to vote for him. However, on April 18, Sanjaya was voted off.

Question: Who was the most discussed singer in American Idols sixth season?
Answer: Sanjaya Malakar

Question: What celebrity asked his fans to vote for Sanjaya Malakar on American Idol?
Answer: Howard Stern

Question: What is the name of the blog that tried to rally votes for Sanjaya Malakar on American Idol?
Answer: Vote for the Worst

Question: What date was Sanjaya Malakar eliminated on American Idol?
Answer: April 18

Question: What season six American Idol contestant was known for his strange hairstyles?
Answer: Sanjaya Malakar

Question: Which contestant was talked about more than any other this season?
Answer: Sanjaya Malakar

Question: What was the main reason Sanjaya garnered such attention?
Answer: hair

Question: Which weblog helped Sanjaya survive elimination week over and over again?
Answer: Vote for the Worst

Question: Which shock jock urged people to vote for Sanjaya?
Answer: Howard Stern

Question: When was Sanjaya eliminated? 
Answer: April 18
Season eight premiered on January 13, 2009. Mike Darnell, the president of alternative programming for Fox, stated that the season would focus more on the contestants' personal life. Much early attention on the show was therefore focused on the widowhood of Danny Gokey.[citation needed]

Question: What year did the eighth season of American Idol first air?
Answer: 2009

Question: Which contestant from season eight suffered the loss of a spouse?
Answer: Danny Gokey

Question: What was Mike Darnells position at Fox in 2009?
Answer: president of alternative programming

Question: What month did American Idol begin airing its eighth season?
Answer: January

Question: When did season eight premiere?
Answer: January 13, 2009

Question: Who was the president of alternative programming at Fox?
Answer: Mike Darnell

Question: Which contestant received a lot of attention because of his widowhood?
Answer: Danny Gokey
In the first major change to the judging panel, a fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi, was introduced. This was also the first season without executive producer Nigel Lythgoe who left to focus on the international versions of his show So You Think You Can Dance. The Hollywood round was moved to the Kodak Theatre for 2009 and was also extended to two weeks. Idol Gives Back was canceled for this season due to the global recession at the time.

Question: Who was brought in as a new judge during American Idols eighth season?
Answer: Kara DioGuardi

Question: How long did the Hollywood round air for in season eight of American Idol?
Answer: two weeks

Question: What show did Nigel Lythgoe leave American Idol to produce?
Answer: So You Think You Can Dance

Question: What venue hosted the Hollywood round on American Idol for the first time in 2009?
Answer: the Kodak Theatre

Question: Why did American Idol choose not to have its Idol Gives Back special in 2009?
Answer: the global recession

Question: How many judges were on the panel for this season?
Answer: four

Question: Which judge joined the panel?
Answer: Kara DioGuardi

Question: Nigel Lythgoe quit the show to focus on what other show?
Answer: So You Think You Can Dance

Question: Where was the Hollywood round moved to?
Answer: Kodak Theatre

Question: What was canceled for this year of Idol?
Answer: Idol Gives Back
Season ten of the series premiered on January 19, 2011. Many changes were introduced this season, from the format to the personnel of the show. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joined Randy Jackson as judges following the departures of Simon Cowell (who left to launch the U.S. version of The X Factor), Kara DioGuardi (whose contract was not renewed) and Ellen DeGeneres, while Nigel Lythgoe returned as executive producer. Jimmy Iovine, chairman of the Interscope Geffen A&M label group, the new partner of American Idol, acted as the in-house mentor in place of weekly guest mentors, although in later episodes special guest mentors such as Beyoncé, will.i.am and Lady Gaga were brought in.

Question: What year did season ten of American Idol first air?
Answer: 2011

Question: In which season of American Idol did Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez become judges?
Answer: ten

Question: Who replace weekly mentors as a more permanent mentor on American Idols tenth season? 
Answer: Jimmy Iovine

Question: What show did Simon Cowell join after leaving American Idol?
Answer: The X Factor

Question: Who was the executive producer of American Idols tenth season?
Answer: Nigel Lythgoe

Question: When did season ten premiere?
Answer: January 19, 2011

Question: Who returned as executive producer this season?
Answer: Nigel Lythgoe

Question: Which two new judges joined Randy Jackson on the judges' panel?
Answer: Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler

Question: Who was the in-house mentor this season?
Answer: Jimmy Iovine
Caleb Johnson was named the winner of the season, with Jena Irene as the runner-up. Johnson released "As Long as You Love Me" as his coronation single while Irene released "We Are One".

Question: Who won season 13 of American Idol?
Answer: Caleb Johnson

Question: Who came in second on season 13 of American Idol?
Answer: Jena Irene

Question: What song did Caleb Johnson first release after winning American Idol? 
Answer: As Long as You Love Me

Question: What song did Jena Irene release after coming in second on American Idol? 
Answer: We Are One

Question: Who won this season of Idol?
Answer: Caleb Johnson

Question: Who was the runner up this season?
Answer: Jena Irene

Question: What was Johnson's coronation song?
Answer: As Long as You Love Me

Question: What was Irene's coronation song?
Answer: We Are One
The fourteenth season premiered on January 7, 2015. Ryan Seacrest returned to host, while Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr. returned for their respective fourth, third and second seasons as judges. Eighth season runner-up Adam Lambert filled in for Urban during the New York City auditions. Randy Jackson did not return as the in-house mentor for this season.

Question: What year did American Idol first air its fourteenth season?
Answer: 2015

Question: Who was the host of American Idol in its fourteenth season? 
Answer: Ryan Seacrest

Question: Which former contestant replaced Keith Urban for auditions in New York City?
Answer: Adam Lambert

Question: What was Keith Urbans position on American Idol in its fourteenth season? 
Answer: judges

Question: Who did not come back as a mentor in season 14?
Answer: Randy Jackson

Question: When did season 14 premiere?
Answer: January 7, 2015

Question: Who took Urban's spot at the New York auditions?
Answer: Adam Lambert
Fox announced on May 11, 2015 that the fifteenth season would be the final season of American Idol; as such, the season is expected to have an additional focus on the program's alumni. Ryan Seacrest returns as host, with Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban, and Jennifer Lopez all returning for their respective third, fourth, and fifth seasons as judges.

Question: What year did Fox announce the cancellation of American Idol?
Answer: 2015

Question: How many seasons of American Idol have there been?
Answer: 15

Question: How many seasons was Jennifer Lopez a judge on American Idol? 
Answer: 5

Question: What was Keith Urbans role on American Idols fifteenth season?
Answer: judges

Question: Who hosted American Idol in its last season?
Answer: Ryan Seacrest

Question: When did Fox announce that Season 15 would be the final season?
Answer: May 11, 2015

Question: Who is returning as host?
Answer: Ryan Seacrest
Since the show's inception in 2002, ten of the fourteen Idol winners, including its first five, have come from the Southern United States. A large number of other notable finalists during the series' run have also hailed from the American South, including Clay Aiken, Kellie Pickler, and Chris Daughtry, who are all from North Carolina. In 2012, an analysis of the 131 contestants who have appeared in the finals of all seasons of the show up to that point found that 48% have some connection to the Southern United States.

Question: As of 2012, how many finalists did American Idol have? 
Answer: 131

Question: When did American Idol begin? 
Answer: 2002

Question: What region of the United States were American Idols first five winners from? 
Answer: Southern

Question: What state is American Idol contestant Clay Aiken from?
Answer: North Carolina

Question: What state is American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry from? 
Answer: North Carolina

Question: How many Idol winners have come from the southern part of America?
Answer: ten

Question: In addition to Clay Aiken and Kellie Pickler, which other Idol is from North Carolina?
Answer: Chris Daughtry
The show itself is popular in the Southern United States, with households in the Southeastern United States 10% more likely to watch American Idol during the eighth season in 2009, and those in the East Central region, such as Kentucky, were 16 percent more likely to tune into the series. Data from Nielsen SoundScan, a music-sales tracking service, showed that of the 47 million CDs sold by Idol contestants through January 2010, 85 percent were by contestants with ties to the American South.

Question: How many CDs from American Idol contestants had been sold at the beginning of 2010? 
Answer: 47 million

Question: In the same study, how much more likely was someone from Kentucky to tune into the show?
Answer: 16 percent

Question: How many CDS were sold by Idol contestants up to 2010?
Answer: 47 million

Question: Of the CDs sold, how many were by the contestants with southern ties?
Answer: 85 percent
Theories given for the success of Southerners on Idol have been: more versatility with musical genres, as the Southern U.S. is home to several music genre scenes; not having as many opportunities to break into the pop music business; text-voting due to the South having the highest percentage of cell-phone only households; and the strong heritage of music and singing, which is notable in the Bible Belt, where it is in church that many people get their start in public singing. Others also suggest that the Southern character of these contestants appeal to the South, as well as local pride. According to season five winner Taylor Hicks, who is from the state of Alabama, "People in the South have a lot of pride ... So, they're adamant about supporting the contestants who do well from their state or region."

Question: Who won season five of American Idol? 
Answer: Taylor Hicks

Question: What state is Taylor Hicks from? 
Answer: Alabama

Question: Where do people in the Southern United States often begin singing? 
Answer: church

Question: Where do a lot of people get their start in singing in the south?
Answer: church

Question: Where is Taylor Hicks from?
Answer: Alabama
For five consecutive seasons, starting in season seven, the title was given to a white male who plays the guitar – a trend that Idol pundits call the "White guy with guitar" or "WGWG" factor. Just hours before the season eleven finale, where Phillip Phillips was named the winner, Richard Rushfield, author of the book American Idol: The Untold Story, said, "You have this alliance between young girls and grandmas and they see it, not necessarily as a contest to create a pop star competing on the contemporary radio, but as .... who's the nicest guy in a popularity contest," he says, "And that has led to this dynasty of four, and possibly now five, consecutive, affable, very nice, good-looking white boys."

Question: What does the acronym WGWG stand for? 
Answer: White guy with guitar

Question: Who won season eleven of American Idol? 
Answer: Phillip Phillips

Question: What is the name of the book written by Richard Rushfield about American Idol? 
Answer: American Idol: The Untold Story

Question: How many seasons in a row were won by caucasian guitar playing males? 
Answer: five

Question: What instrument did the winners for five seasons in a row play?
Answer: guitar

Question: What is the WGWG factor?
Answer: White guy with guitar

Question: Who wrote American Idol: The Untold Story?
Answer: Richard Rushfield

Question: Who was named the winner of Season 11?
Answer: Phillip Phillips
Voting results have been a consistent source of controversy. The mechanism of voting had also aroused considerable criticisms, most notably in season two when Ruben Studdard beat Clay Aiken in a close vote, and in season eight, when the massive increase in text votes (100 million more text votes than season 7) fueled the texting controversy. Concerns about power voting have been expressed from the very first season. Since 2004, votes also have been affected to a limited degree by online communities such as DialIdol, Vote for the Worst (closed in 2013), and Vote for the Girls (started 2010).

Question: Who won season two of American Idol? 
Answer: Ruben Studdard

Question: Who came in second on season two of American Idol? 
Answer: Clay Aiken

Question: What year did Vote for the Worst cease operations? 
Answer: 2013

Question: How many more text votes were there in season eight of American Idol over season seven? 
Answer: 100 million

Question: Which season had the biggest voting controversy?
Answer: season two

Question: Which season had a voting controversy because of a huge increase in text votes?
Answer: season eight

Question: Which voting concern has been present since the first season?
Answer: power voting

Question: When did Vote for the Girls start?
Answer: 2010

Question: When did Vote for the Worst close?
Answer: 2013
Idol Gives Back is a special charity event started in season six featuring performances by celebrities and various fund-raising initiatives. This event was also held in seasons seven and nine and has raised nearly $185 million in total.

Question: What is the name of the special that raises money for charities on American Idol?
Answer: Idol Gives Back

Question: How much money has American Idol raised for charity with its Idol Gives Back specials? 
Answer: $185 million

Question: What is the name of the charity that Idol has?
Answer: Idol Gives Back

Question: When was the first Idol Gives Back?
Answer: season six
American Idol premiered in June 2002 and became the surprise summer hit show of 2002. The first show drew 9.9 million viewers, giving Fox the best viewing figure for the 8.30 pm spot in over a year. The audience steadily grew, and by finale night, the audience had averaged 23 million, with more than 40 million watching some part of that show. That episode was placed third amongst all age groups, but more importantly it led in the 18–49 demographic, the age group most valued by advertisers.

Question: What year did American Idol being to air on television? 
Answer: 2002

Question: How many people watched the first episode of American Idol? 
Answer: 9.9 million

Question: How many people on average watched the American Idol finale in its first season? 
Answer: 23 million

Question: What season of the year did American Idol first air on television? 
Answer: summer

Question: When did American Idol premiere?
Answer: June 2002

Question: How many people watched the first episode of American Idol?
Answer: 9.9 million

Question: What was the average for viewership by finale night?
Answer: 23 million
The growth continued into the next season, starting with a season premiere of 26.5 million. The season attracted an average of 21.7 million viewers, and was placed second overall amongst the 18–49 age group. The finale night when Ruben Studdard won over Clay Aiken was also the highest-rated ever American Idol episode at 38.1 million for the final hour. By season three, the show had become the top show in the 18–49 demographic a position it has held for all subsequent years up to and including season ten, and its competition stages ranked first in the nationwide overall ratings. By season four, American Idol had become the most watched series amongst all viewers on American TV for the first time, with an average viewership of 26.8 million. The show reached its peak in season five with numbers averaging 30.6 million per episode, and season five remains the highest-rated season of the series.

Question: How many people watched the first episode of American Idols second season? 
Answer: 26.5 million

Question: How many people on average tuned in to watch American Idol in its second season? 
Answer: 21.7 million

Question: What contestant won the second season of American Idol? 
Answer: Ruben Studdard

Question: During what season did American Idol become the highest rated show across all demographics? 
Answer: season four

Question: Which season of American Idol was watched by the most people? 
Answer: season five

Question: How many people watched the second season premiere of American Idol?
Answer: 26.5 million

Question: How many people watched on average for season two?
Answer: 21.7 million

Question: By what season was American Idol the most watched show on TV?
Answer: four
Season six premiered with the series' highest-rated debut episode and a few of its succeeding episodes rank among the most watched episodes of American Idol. During this time, many television executives begun to regard the show as a programming force unlike any seen before, as its consistent dominance of up to two hours two or three nights a week exceeded the 30- or 60-minute reach of previous hits such as NBC's The Cosby Show. The show was dubbed "the Death Star", and competing networks often rearranged their schedules in order to minimize losses. However, season six also showed a steady decline in viewership over the course of the season. The season finale saw a drop in ratings of 16% from the previous year. Season six was the first season wherein the average results show rated higher than the competition stages (unlike in the previous seasons), and became the second highest-rated of the series after the preceding season.

Question: Which season premier of American Idol was the most watched?
Answer: Season six

Question: During which season to American Idols rating begin to fall?
Answer: Season six

Question: What did other television networks refer to American Idol as because of its ratings?
Answer: the Death Star

Question: Which television network originally aired The Cosby Show? 
Answer: NBC

Question: Which season premiere was the most watched of all seasons?
Answer: Season six

Question: What was the show called by other networks?
Answer: the Death Star

Question: Season six saw what for the first time in viewership?
Answer: decline

Question: Season six was the first season where what had more viewers?
Answer: results show
The loss of viewers continued into season seven. The premiere was down 11% among total viewers, and the results show in which Kristy Lee Cook was eliminated delivered its lowest-rated Wednesday show among the 18–34 demo since the first season in 2002. However, the ratings rebounded for the season seven finale with the excitement over the battle of the Davids, and improved over season six as the series' third most watched finale. The strong finish of season seven also helped Fox become the most watched TV network in the country for the first time since its inception, a first ever in American television history for a non-Big Three major broadcast network. Overall ratings for the season were down 10% from season six, which is in line with the fall in viewership across all networks due in part to the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike.

Question: During which season of American Idol did Fox beat the other networks in ratings for the first time? 
Answer: season seven

Question: Why were television ratings down across the board during American Idols seventh season? 
Answer: Writers Guild of America strike

Question: On what season was Kristy Lee Cook a contestant on American Idol? 
Answer: season seven

Question: Who was eliminated during the lowest rated show since season one?
Answer: Kristy Lee Cook

Question: What was the series' third most watched finale?
Answer: season seven

Question: Because of the rebound in viewers, Fox became what for the first time?
Answer: the most watched TV network

Question: What happened in 2007-2008 that had a drop in viewers for all networks?
Answer: Writers Guild of America strike
The declining trend however continued into season eight, as total viewers numbers fell by 5–10% for early episodes compared to season seven, and by 9% for the finale. In season nine, Idol's six-year extended streak of perfection in the ratings was broken, when NBC's coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics on February 17 beat Idol in the same time slot with 30.1 million viewers over Idol's 18.4 million. Nevertheless, American Idol overall finished its ninth season as the most watched TV series for the sixth year running, breaking the previous record of five consecutive seasons achieved by CBS' All in the Family and NBC's The Cosby Show.

Question: Which television network aired the Winter Olympics in 2010? 
Answer: NBC

Question: Which television network originally aired All in the Family? 
Answer: CBS

Question: In what year did NBC beat American Idol in the ratings for the first time?
Answer: 2010

Question: What finally beat Idol in the ratings during season nine?
Answer: 2010 Winter Olympics

Question: How many people watched the 2010 Winter Olympics on February 17 as compared to the 18.4 million who tuned into Idol?
Answer: 30.1 million

Question: At the end of season nine, American Idol remained on top as the most watched show for how many years in a row?
Answer: six
In season ten, the total viewer numbers for the first week of shows fell 12–13%, and by up to 23% in the 18–49 demo compared to season nine. Later episodes, however, retained viewers better, and the season ended on a high with a significant increase in viewership for the finale – up 12% for the adults 18–49 demo and a 21% increase in total viewers from the season nine finale. While the overall viewer number has increased this season, its viewer demographics have continued to age year on year – the median age this season was 47.2 compared to a median age of 32.1 in its first season. By the time of the 2010–11 television season, Fox was in its seventh consecutive season of victory overall in the 18–49 demographic ratings in the United States.

Question: What was the average age of American Idols viewers in its first season? 
Answer: 32.1

Question: What was the average age of American Idols viewers in its tenth season? 
Answer: 47.2

Question: What is the median age of viewers this season?
Answer: 47.2

Question: What was the median age for viewers for season one?
Answer: 32.1
Season eleven, however, suffered a steep drop in ratings, a drop attributed by some to the arrival of new shows such as The Voice and The X-Factor. The ratings for the first two episodes of season eleven fell 16–21% in overall viewer numbers and 24–27% in the 18/49 demo, while the season finale fell 27% in total viewer number and 30% in the 18-49 demo. The average viewership for the season fell below 20 million viewers the first time since 2003, a drop of 23% in total viewers and 30% in the 18/49 demo. For the first time in eight years, American Idol lost the leading position in both the total viewers number and the 18/49 demo, coming in second to NBC Sunday Night Football, although the strengths of Idol in its second year in the Wednesday-Thursday primetime slots helped Fox achieve the longest period of 18-49 demographic victory in the Nielsen ratings, standing at 8 straight years from 2004 to 2012.

Question: For how many years was American Idol the top rated show on television? 
Answer: eight

Question: What program saw more viewers than American Idol this season?
Answer: Sunday Night Football

Question: How long did Fox reign in the 18-49 demographics in the Nielsen ratings?
Answer: eight years
The loss of viewers continued into season 12, which saw the show hitting a number of series low in the 18-49 demo. The finale had 7.2 million fewer viewers than the previous season, and saw a drop of 44% in the 18-49 demo. The season viewers averaged at 13.3 million, a drop of 24% from the previous season. The thirteenth season suffered a huge decline in the 18–49 demographic, a drop of 28% from the twelfth season, and American Idol lost its Top 10 position in the Nielsen ratings by the end of the 2013–14 television season for the first time since its entry to the rankings in 2003 as a result, although the entire series to date had not yet been dropped from the Nielsen Top 30 rankings since its inception in 2002.

Question: How many people on average watched season 12 of American Idol? 
Answer: 13.3 million

Question: During which season did American Idol fall out of the top ten shows in ratings? 
Answer: 13

Question: When did American Idol first air on television? 
Answer: 2002

Question: The season finale for season 12 had how many fewer viewers than season 11?
Answer: 7.2 million

Question: How many viewers watched on average this season?
Answer: 13.3 million
The continuing decline influenced further changes for season 14, including the loss of Coca-Cola as the show's major sponsor, and a decision to only broadcast one, two-hour show per week during the top 12 rounds (with results from the previous week integrated into the performance show, rather than having a separate results show). On May 11, 2015, prior to the fourteenth season finale, Fox announced that the fifteenth season of American Idol would be its last. Despite these changes, the show's ratings would decline more sharply. The fourteenth season finale was the lowest-rated finale ever, with an average of only 8.03 million viewers watching the finale.

Question: What drink company ended its relationship with American Idol during season 14?
Answer: Coca-Cola

Question: How many people watched American Idols finale in season 14?
Answer: 8.03 million

Question: After what season will American Idol be cancelled? 
Answer: 15

Question: When did Fox announce the following season would be Idol's last?
Answer: May 11, 2015

Question: How many people watched the season 14 finale?
Answer: 8.03 million
The show pushed Fox to become the number one U.S. TV network amongst adults 18–49, the key demographic coveted by advertisers, for an unprecedented eight consecutive years by 2012. Its success also helped lift the ratings of other shows that were scheduled around it such as House and Bones, and Idol, for years, had become Fox's strongest platform primetime television program for promoting eventual hit shows of the 2010s (of the same network) such as Glee and New Girl. The show, its creator Simon Fuller claimed, "saved Fox".

Question: For how many years was Fox the highest rated network with young adults because of American Idol? 
Answer: 8

Question: What television network originally aired the show Glee?
Answer: Fox

Question: What television network originally aired the show House? 
Answer: Fox

Question: Who created American Idol? 
Answer: Simon Fuller
The show's massive success in the mid-2000s and early 2010s spawned a number of imitating singing-competition shows, such as Rock Star, Nashville Star, The Voice, Rising Star, The Sing-Off, and The X Factor. Its format also served as a blueprint for non-singing TV shows such as Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, most of which contribute to the current highly competitive reality TV landscape on American television.

Question: What dancing show featuring celebrities has been helped by American Idol?
Answer: Dancing with the Stars

Question: What is another singing show similar to American Idol? 
Answer: The Voice
As one of the most successful shows on U.S. television history, American Idol has a strong impact not just on television, but also in the wider world of entertainment. It helped create a number of highly successful recording artists, such as Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry and Carrie Underwood, as well as others of varying notability.

Question: What show helped launched the career of Kelly Clarkson? 
Answer: American Idol

Question: What show helped launched the career of Carrie Underwood? 
Answer: American Idol

Question: What show helped launched the career of Daughtry? 
Answer: American Idol
Various American Idol alumni had success on various record charts around the world; in the U.S. they had achieved 345 number ones on the Billboard charts in its first ten years. According to Fred Bronson, author of books on the Billboard charts, no other entity has ever created as many hit-making artists and best-selling albums and singles. In 2007, American Idol alums accounted for 2.1% of all music sales. Its alumni have a massive impact on radio; in 2007, American Idol had become "a dominant force in radio" according to the president of the research company Mediabase which monitors radio stations Rich Meyer. By 2010, four winners each had more than a million radio spins, with Kelly Clarkson leading the field with over four million spins.

Question: How many number one Billboard singles were released by American Idol contestants in the shows first decade? 
Answer: 345

Question: Who is the president of Mediabase? 
Answer: Rich Meyer

Question: Who was the most successful American Idol winner on radio as of 2010? 
Answer: Kelly Clarkson

Question: How many number ones have Idol singers achieved on Billboard charts in just the first ten years?
Answer: 345

Question: Who authored books on Billboard charts?
Answer: Fred Bronson

Question: How many contestants had at least one million radio spins by 2010?
Answer: four

Question: How many radio spins did Kelly Clarkson have by 2010?
Answer: over four million
As of 2013, the American Idol alumni in their post-Idol careers have amassed over 59 million albums and 120 million singles and digital track downloads in the United States alone.

Question: How many albums have been sold by American Idol contestants up until 2013?
Answer: 59 million

Question: How many single have been sold by American Idol contestants up until 2013? 
Answer: 120 million

Question: How many albums have Idol contestants created as of 2013?
Answer: 59 million

Question: How many singles and digital downloads have Idol contestants created as of 2013?
Answer: 120 million
The impact of American Idol is also strongly felt in musical theatre, where many of Idol alumni have forged successful careers. The striking effect of former American Idol contestants on Broadway has been noted and commented on. The casting of a popular Idol contestant can lead to significantly increased ticket sales. Other alumni have gone on to work in television and films, the most notable being Jennifer Hudson who, on the recommendation of the Idol vocal coach Debra Byrd, won a role in Dreamgirls and subsequently received an Academy Award for her performance.

Question: Which American Idol contestant won an Oscar for Dreamgirls? 
Answer: Jennifer Hudson

Question: What job does Debra Byrd do on American Idol? 
Answer: vocal coach

Question: In what area of the entertainment industry have some Idol contestants found success?
Answer: musical theatre

Question: Which Idol won an Academy Award?
Answer: Jennifer Hudson

Question: What film did Jennifer Hudson win an Academy Award for?
Answer: Dreamgirls

Question: Who recommended the role for Hudon?
Answer: Debra Byrd
Early reviews were mixed in their assessment. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly considered that "As TV, American Idol is crazily entertaining; as music, it's dust-mote inconsequential". Others, however, thought that "the most striking aspect of the series was the genuine talent it revealed". It was also described as a "sadistic musical bake-off", and "a romp in humiliation". Other aspects of the show have attracted criticisms. The product placement in the show in particular was noted, and some critics were harsh about what they perceived as its blatant commercial calculations – Karla Peterson of The San Diego Union-Tribune charged that American Idol is "a conniving multimedia monster" that has "absorbed the sin of our debauched culture and spit them out in a lump of reconstituted evil". The decision to send the season one winner to sing the national anthem at the Lincoln Memorial on the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks in 2002 was also poorly received by many. Lisa de Moraes of The Washington Post noted sarcastically that "The terrorists have won" and, with a sideswipe at the show's commercialism and voting process, that the decision as to who "gets to turn this important site into just another cog in the 'Great American Idol Marketing Mandala' is in the hands of the millions of girls who have made American Idol a hit. Them and a handful of phone-redialer geeks who have been clocking up to 10,000 calls each week for their contestant of choice (but who, according to Fox, are in absolutely no way skewing the outcome)."

Question: What publication does Ken Tucker work for? 
Answer: Entertainment Weekly

Question: What did American Idols first winner sing at the Lincoln Memorial in 2002? 
Answer: the national anthem

Question: Which journalist felt Idol produced entertaining TV more than entertaining music?
Answer: Ken Tucker

Question: Which publication did Tucker work for?
Answer: Entertainment Weekly

Question: Who called American Idol a conniving multimedia monster?
Answer: Karla Peterson

Question: Where did the season one winner sing the national anthem that received huge criticism?
Answer: Lincoln Memorial
Some of the later writers about the show were more positive, Michael Slezak, again of Entertainment Weekly, thought that "for all its bloated, synthetic, product-shilling, money-making trappings, Idol provides a once-a-year chance for the average American to combat the evils of today's music business." Singer Sheryl Crow, who was later to act as a mentor on the show, however took the view that the show "undermines art in every way and promotes commercialism". Pop music critic Ann Powers nevertheless suggested that Idol has "reshaped the American songbook", "led us toward a new way of viewing ourselves in relationship to mainstream popular culture", and connects "the classic Hollywood dream to the multicentered popular culture of the future." Others focused on the personalities in the show; Ramin Setoodeh of Newsweek accused judge Simon Cowell's cruel critiques in the show of helping to establish in the wider world a culture of meanness, that "Simon Cowell has dragged the rest of us in the mud with him." Some such as singer John Mayer disparaged the contestants, suggesting that those who appeared on Idol are not real artists with self-respect.

Question: What publication does Michael Slezak write for?
Answer: Entertainment Weekly

Question: Who was accused of being mean and cruel on American Idol? 
Answer: Simon Cowell

Question: What singer had bad things to say about contestants on American Idol? 
Answer: John Mayer

Question: What magazine does Ramin Wetoodeh write for? 
Answer: Newsweek

Question: Sheryl Crow felt the show undermined art and promoted what?
Answer: commercialism

Question: Who said that American Idol has reshaped the American songbook?
Answer: Ann Powers

Question: Who was accused of helping meanness thrive?
Answer: Simon Cowell

Question: Which singer said the contestants are not real artists with self respect?
Answer: John Mayer
Some in the entertainment industry were critical of the star-making aspect of the show. Usher, a mentor on the show, bemoaning the loss of the "true art form of music", thought that shows like American Idol made it seem "so easy that everyone can do it, and that it can happen overnight", and that "television is a lie". Musician Michael Feinstein, while acknowledging that the show had uncovered promising performers, said that American Idol "isn't really about music. It's about all the bad aspects of the music business – the arrogance of commerce, this sense of 'I know what will make this person a star; artists themselves don't know.' " That American Idol is seen to be a fast track to success for its contestants has been a cause of resentment for some in the industry. LeAnn Rimes, commenting on Carrie Underwood winning Best Female Artist in Country Music Awards over Faith Hill in 2006, said that "Carrie has not paid her dues long enough to fully deserve that award". It is a common theme that has been echoed by many others. Elton John, who had appeared as a mentor in the show but turned down an offer to be a judge on American Idol, commenting on talent shows in general, said that "there have been some good acts but the only way to sustain a career is to pay your dues in small clubs".

Question: What famous singer declined an offer to be a judge on American Idol after having been a mentor? 
Answer: Elton John

Question: What year did Carrie Underwood win a Country Music Award for Best Female Artist? 
Answer: 2006

Question: What singer criticized Carrie Underwood for winning a Country Music Award? 
Answer: LeAnn Rimes

Question: Who felt that American Idol helped the true art form of music get lost?
Answer: Usher

Question: Who won the Best Female Artist in Country Music Awards in 2006?
Answer: Carrie Underwood

Question: Who did Carrie beat out for the award?
Answer: Faith Hill

Question: Who said that Carrie had not paid her dues to win that award?
Answer: LeAnn Rimes

Question: Who was a mentor but later turned down the opportunity to judge Idol?
Answer: Elton John
The success of the show's alumni however has led to a more positive assessment of the show, and the show was described as having "proven it has a valid way to pick talent and a proven way to sell records". While the industry is divided on the show success, its impact is felt particularly strongly in the country music format. According to a CMT exec, reflecting on the success of Idol alumni in the country genre, "if you want to try and get famous fast by going to a cattle call audition on TV, Idol reasonably remains the first choice for anyone," and that country music and Idol "go together well".

Question: Which music genre has had the most success from American Idol? 
Answer: country

Question: Which genre has felt the impact of Idol the most?
Answer: country music
American Idol was nominated for the Emmy's Outstanding Reality Competition Program for nine years but never won. Director Bruce Gower won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Series in 2009, and the show won a Creative Arts Emmys each in 2007 and 2008, three in 2009, and two in 2011, as well as a Governor's Award in 2007 for its Idol Gives Back edition. It won the People's Choice Award, which honors the popular culture of the previous year as voted by the public, for favorite competition/reality show in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012. It won the first Critics' Choice Television Award in 2011 for Best Reality Competition.

Question: How many nominations has American Idol received for Outstanding Reality Competition Program?  
Answer: 9

Question: What director win an Emmy Award for his work on American Idol? 
Answer: Bruce Gower

Question: How many total Emmy Awards has American Idol won? 
Answer: 8

Question: What American Idol special received a Governors Award in 2007?
Answer: Idol Gives Back

Question: How many times was American Idol nominated for an Emmy?
Answer: nine

Question: What award did American Idol win for its Idol Gives Back charity work?
Answer: Governor's Award in 2007