Karaoke has been popular for many years, but the enormous popularity of American Idol has sparked an even bigger interest in karaoke and drawn countless new addicts to its folds. It's been six years since the phenomenon known as Idol tapped into the airwaves and started people talking about an addictive new concept in Reality TV. And this addiction has fueled the continued addiction of many closet singers who have now come out of the closet.



It's easy to imagine how the producers conjured up the premise. They probably said, "Let's revisit the old talent show gig, but this time it'll be different. This time, each of the contestants will have a family, a history, a home town and a personality hook that takes the viewer one step further. Let's make the audience become invested every week by making it be about more than just who has the best voice." And let's make sure we show the best and the worst in the auditions-so more people can relate. It's pretty much how most karaoke clubs are anyway-the best with the worst!

And so it happened that we came to love the Kellys and Clays, the Daughtrys and Underwoods, and even the William Hungs! We loved them because they each had a real life story and a way in which they connected with their audience and dealt with the critiques of the judges. We didn't just love them-we fell in love with them-because we were the ones who voted and helped them realize their American Dream. And we lived vicariously for our unrealized dreams. It's probably why karaoke is so popular-so many of us have the rock star dream! Through American Idol, we all lived that dream.

When Kelly Clarkson became the first winner, the show achieved its own instant success. Kelly won over her competitor Justin Guarini, but the two were viewed as America's sweethearts even after the show ended and a really bad movie starring the two of them came and went. After that, Kelly emerged as a celebrated pop performer in her own right.

Season two ended with the closest contest in the show's history with Rubin Studdard and Clay Aiken going head to head. There are some who claim that faulty phone company tactics affected the voting and that Clay was robbed of his rightful crown.

Seasons three and four saw two young gals cinch the title-each with their own distinctive styles--Fantasia and Carrie. There couldn't be two more different vocalists on the planet, yet they both hold the same title-American Idol. And Carrie has become a huge country star winning every award possible.

Taylor Hicks was season five's winner and he became number one by borrowing a little bit of everything from days gone by. Elvis, soul, harmonica, groove, Joe Cocker and Vegas, won the hearts of the American voters. In the last season, Jordin Sparks won the crown with her youthful vigor and gospel powerhouse voice.

Looking at American Idol one can see how the show has evolved and been improved upon, yet that it had the makings of a winner from the start. The shelf life for such a program is usually four years at most. At the top of its game going into season seven, how long will it continue to entertain and excite America? For as long as we all harbor that rock star dream. Long live American Idol. Long live karaoke!