Q 01/05

Which Spice Girls manager created American Idol, adapting it from his British show Pop Idol?

A) Louis Walsh

B) Simon Fuller

C) Nigel Lythgoe

D) Mark Burnett

Answer · why

B) Simon Fuller

Simon Fuller launched Pop Idol in Britain in 2001, yet US networks at first passed on his American version before it became television's biggest hit.

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) The WB

Answer · why

C) Fox

Fox launched it as a summer show in June 2002, and its success moved the second season up to a January launch.

Q 03/05

Which media mogul's daughter persuaded him to buy American Idol for his network?

A) Ted Turner

B) Sumner Redstone

C) Barry Diller

D) Rupert Murdoch

Answer · why

D) Rupert Murdoch

Rupert Murdoch was sold on it by his daughter Elisabeth, then told his network's executives to keep the British format instead of changing it.

Q 04/05

Who co-hosted American Idol's first season alongside Ryan Seacrest?

A) Carson Daly

B) Brian Dunkleman

C) Nick Cannon

D) Nick Lachey

Answer · why

B) Brian Dunkleman

Brian Dunkleman quit after the 2002 season, leaving Seacrest to host alone, then made a surprise return at the 2016 series finale.

Q 05/05

Who were American Idol's three original judges?

A) L.A. Reid, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell

B) Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Simon Cowell

C) Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell

D) Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell

Answer · why

D) Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell

Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell judged from 2002 until Abdul quit in 2009, after her contract talks with the show broke down.