After 15 seasons on the air, American Idol is coming to an end. The arguably iconic show originally debuted all the way back in 2002 and helped launch the careers of artists that have since become household names, with Kelly Clarkson and Phillip Phillips being two prominent examples.
Whether you loved or hated the show, or even if you were wholly indifferent, one can’t deny the impact American Idol has had on popular culture. In addition to creating bona fide music stars and pop idols, the show’s success also had a tremendous impact on the broader TV landscape. Idol’s success paved the way for a number of other talent-based shows with similar structural elements, from America’s Got Talent to So you think you can dance.
