Q 01/05

Who created American Idol, adapting it from his British show Pop Idol?

A) Simon Cowell

B) Simon Fuller

C) Nigel Lythgoe

D) Mark Burnett

Answer · why

B) Simon Fuller

The British format itself borrowed the panel-of-judges idea from a New Zealand talent show.

Q 02/05

On which network did American Idol air its first 15 seasons, from 2002 to 2016?

A) NBC

B) CBS

C) Fox

D) ABC

Answer · why

C) Fox

It debuted as a summer replacement in June 2002 and, to the surprise of the network and Simon Cowell, became the hit of the season.

Q 03/05

Whose daughter persuaded him to buy the show after every US network, including his own, had passed?

A) Ted Turner

B) Sumner Redstone

C) Barry Diller

D) Rupert Murdoch

Answer · why

D) Rupert Murdoch

Elisabeth Murdoch had seen the British version; her father then insisted the format not be changed for America.

Q 04/05

Who co-hosted the first season alongside Ryan Seacrest?

A) Carson Daly

B) Brian Dunkleman

C) Mario Lopez

D) Nick Lachey

Answer · why

B) Brian Dunkleman

He quit after one season and did not return until the Fox finale in 2016, as a guest.

Q 05/05

Who were the three original judges for seasons one through eight?

A) Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell

B) Paula Abdul, Steven Tyler and Simon Cowell

C) Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Nigel Lythgoe

D) Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell

Answer · why

D) Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell

A fourth chair was only added in season eight, and the original trio never sat together again after 2009.