Since the premiere of American Idols Live on June 11, 2002, you can literally see the impact that the show has had on our society every single day. From the music you hear on the radio, to the countless attempts other networks have made at reinventing the original concept of American Idols Live, the magnitude of the success of American Idols Live is truly phenomenal. If you look closely enough, you can see thousands of variations of ideas taken from American Idols Live in every form of media we have. From commercials to internet websites, to something as simple as a billboard promoting a new product, the concept of American Idols Live is literally everywhere.

Perhaps the most sought after replication of American Idols Live would have to be the continuous attempt and finding judges similar to that of Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and of course the irreplaceable Simon Cowell. American Idols Live has without doubt captured a perfect combination of industry talent and critical satire from these three. It seems every single reality show that has followed, whether it be related to singing, dancing, inventing, or even cooking have tried effortlessly to reproduce the incredible success that American Idols Live had found in their three stars. This goes more so in relation to that of Simon Cowell then any other by far. You can’t sit through any show that ignites critique without seeing some form of Simon Cowell’s personality in at least one of the judges. The original casting of Simon Cowell on American Idols Live was not only a brilliant financial move on part of the producers, but it actually has caused a cultural spin-off of Simon Cowell wannabees. I find this aspect of American Idols Live in regards to its impact on our cultural society to be truly unparallel by any other television personality.

Lastly their is the fourth talent of American Idols Live, the man who seems to hold it all together on stage, the host of the show, Ryan Seacrest. He has become a huge celebrity, and has been dubbed the hardest working man in Hollywood. In the first season of American Idols Live he was paired with another young talent whose name no one cares to remember. Ironically, that man left American Idols Live to pursue fame as an actor. Once the stage was left to Ryan in season two, he became a sex symbol and a Hollywood icon seemingly overnight. The “good guy” of American Idols Live Ryan often shows comfort to the contestants who didn’t make it and always joins in the celebration of those who have. His ongoing banter with Simon Cowell on the stage of American Idols Live always makes for good television, one almost wonders if it’s scripted.

I doubt the powers that be behind the huge success of American Idols Live ever expected the show would have the impact it has, but we can’t ignore that it has. Some may want to thank them for it, others, who are sickened by the outbreak of reality television may very well hate them for it.