• 'American Idol' Tuesday finale turns up the ratings heat

  September 5, 2002
  Reuters reports that Fox's "American Idol" delivered more record-setting numbers Tuesday with the first of this week's two-part finale, surpassing 18 million viewers overall. According to national estimates from Nielsen, "Idol" delivered the network's highest series ratings ever in the Tuesday-at-9 hour among adults 18-49 (9.3 rating, 24 share), adults 18-34 (10.2/29) and total viewers (18.69 million).

• 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell re-ups for 'Idol 2,' gets $1,000,000+

  September 4, 2002
  The Hollywood Reporter reports that Simon Cowell, the British music executive who shot to fame as "Idol's" brutally frank judge, has signed up for the second season of the reality hit, set for broadcast on Fox early next year. One insider said Cowell will net at least $1 million for "Idol 2," though network officials would not comment on that figure or whether the deal had officially closed.

• Justin slight favorite to win 'American Idol'

  September 3, 2002
  Reuters reports that Kelly may have the voice, but Justin's funky hair, confident air and legion of teenage girl fans give him a slight edge to win a recording contract when the Fox television network crowns its first "American Idol" on Wednesday, a Las Vegas oddsmaker said. The hunky Justin Guarini is the 5-to-6 favorite to win the first edition of Fox's summer hit "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar," said John Avello, director of race and sports operations at Bally's and Paris Las Vegas.

• 'Idol' Talent Race Reaches Fever Pitch on Fox, draws 16+ million viewers

  August 30, 2002
  Reuters reports that the frenzy surrounding television hit "American Idol" reached fever pitch late on Wednesday as the Fox TV talent search narrowed its list of contenders to the soulful Kelly Clarkson and hunky Justin Guarini in front of millions of prime time viewers. In the course of the contest, "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" has won some of the summer's highest viewer ratings and on Wednesday attracted its biggest audience yet.

• Despite her elimination, Tamyra Gray lands record contract

  August 27, 2002
  USA Today reports that Tamyra Gray may have been eliminated from American Idol last week, but she got a vote of confidence from the producer of the show: It picked up an option to manage the 23-year-old singer. "This girl is a star," says Tom Ennis of 19 Entertainment. "She has a very bright future."

• 'American Idol' producers acknowledge vote tampering

  August 18, 2002
  The Associated Press reports that producers of the hit Fox show "American Idol" say the talent contest is being slammed by "power dialers" trying to influence the results by making as many as 10,000 votes a night from a single phone line.

• Christian says Simon's crush may have cost her 'Idol' prize

  August 16, 2002
  Zap2It.com reports that ousted 'American Idol' contestant Christian thinks that judge Simon Cowell's crush on her might have cost her the title of American Idol.

• Simon planning 'World Idol' show featuring each country's 'Pop Idol' show winner

  July 29, 2002
  The BBC reports that Simon Fuller, the creator of the successful Pop Idol franchise, is planning to make the TV show into a global talent contest by pitting the winners of different countries against each other. Fuller is working on a show provisionally titled World Idol, following the success of Pop Idol around the globe.

• Song of 'Idol' winner to be in stores three weeks after winner picked

  July 24, 2002
  Variety reports that viewers of Fox's summer megahit "American Idol" won't have to wait long to hear the first single from whomever wins the competition.

• Source Says Fox Near Deal for Second 'American Idol'

  July 19, 2002
  Reuters reports that a source familiar with the situation says the FOX television network is close to signing a deal for a second homage to its breakout summer reality series "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar."

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