Movie connections for
"American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002) More at IMDbPro »

Version of

"Pop Idol" (2001)
"Deutschland sucht den Superstar" (2002)
"Idool 2003" (2002)
"Idol stjörnuleit" (2003)
"Narodnyy artist" (2003)
"À la recherche de la nouvelle star" (2003)
"Kochav Nolad" (2003)
"Australian Idol" (2003)
"Idols" (2003/I)
"Ídolos" (2003)
"Idols" (2003/II)
"Hrvatski Idol" (2004)
"New Zealand Idol" (2004)
"Slovensko hladá SuperStar" (2004)
"Cesko hledá SuperStar" (2004)
"Super Idol" (2004)
"Idol" (2004)
"Philippine Idol" (2006)
"Latin American Idol" (2006)
"Eesti otsib superstaari" (2007)
"Vietnam Idol" (2007)
"Cesko slovenská superstar" (2009)

Edited into

"American Idol Rewind" (2006)

Spin off

From Justin to Kelly (2003)
World Idol (2003) (TV)

Referenced in

"Saturday Night Live: Sarah Michelle Gellar/Faith Hill (#28.2)" (2002)
 -  Mentioned on Weekend update
Game Theory (2003) (V)
Sexy American Idle (2003) (V)
 -  title spoof
"Saturday Night Live: Queen Latifah/Ms. Dynamite (#28.14)" (2003)
 -  Mentioned in Live with Regis and Kelly skit
Malibu's Most Wanted (2003)
"Saturday Night Live: Dan Aykroyd/Beyonce (#28.20)" (2003)
 -  Mentioned on Weekend Update
"Saturday Night Live: Alec Baldwin/Missy Elliot (#29.6)" (2003)
 -  Mentioned on Weekend Update
"The King of Queens: American Idle (#6.10)" (2003)
 -  title reference
"Saturday Night Live: Al Sharpton/Pink (#29.7)" (2003)
 -  Mentioned by Vasquez
"Saturday Night Live: Elijah Wood/Jet (#29.8)" (2003)
 -  Mentioned in Wake Up Wakefield
Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Charlie's Angels' (2004) (TV)
 -  Foreshadowed during pitch meeting and rejected by Spelling
Brave New Girl (2004) (TV)
 -  "American Idol" is mentioned in the dialogue
"High Chaparall: (#2.8)" (2004)
 -  Mentioned by name
"Saturday Night Live: Snoop Dogg/Avril Lavigne (#29.19)" (2004)
 -  referenced on Weekend Update
"Saturday Night Live: Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen/J-Kwon (#29.20)" (2004)
 -  Mentioned by paparazzi
"E! True Hollywood Story: American Idol" (2004)
 -  Story tackles the reality show.
"That's So Raven: The Road to Audition (#2.18)" (2004)
 -  Same type of game show Raven, Chelsea, Eddie, and the other kids are trying to get onto
"Da Ali G Show: Peace (#2.3)" (2004)
 -  Ali G asks if its true this show got more votes than the presidential election.
Late Night with Conan O'Brien: The Best of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog (2004) (V)
 -  Triumph makes repeated jabs at Simon in the MTV VMAS segment and in the hidden features segment.
Bride & Prejudice (2004)
 -  At a wedding party a guest from America asks what's about to happen and is told "an Indian version of 'American Idol.'"
Meet the Fockers (2004)
 -  "Focker out!" line
Kathy Griffin Is... Not Nicole Kidman (2005) (TV)
 -  kathy talks about this being her fav show
"Saturday Night Live: Jason Bateman/Kelly Clarkson (#30.12)" (2005)
 -  Mentioned during the monologue
"Saturday Night Live: Ashton Kutcher/Gwen Stefani (#30.15)" (2005)
 -  Referenced on Weekend Update
"South Park: Wing (#9.3)" (2005)
 -  The boys sign Wing as her agents, then she goes on this show as a contestant.
"Saturday Night Live: Cameron Diaz/Green Day (#30.16)" (2005)
 -  Referenced in Weekend Update
"Saturday Night Live: Lindsay Lohan/Coldplay (#30.20)" (2005)
 -  Mentioned on Hardball
"Kim Possible: Rappin' Drakken (#3.9)" (2005)
 -  "American Starmaker" is modeled after this game show
"Six Feet Under: Singing for Our Lives (#5.8)" (2005)
 -  Jackie tries to get Brenda to speak about something else other than her problems, and suggests American Idol as a potential subject to discuss. Brenda then tells her that she has never watched the show.
Bill Maher: I'm Swiss (2005) (TV)
 -  references the show in a joke
"The Office: Sexual Harassment (#2.2)" (2005)
 -  Ryan asks Packer if he is "a big William Hung fan."
"Jeopardy!: Back to School Week 5 (#22.25)" (2005)
 -  correct response in "What's on TV, Kids?" category
"Jeopardy!: (#22.45)" (2005)
 -  referenced in clue in "Raleigh People" category
"Stacked: Darling Nikki (#2.3)" (2005)
 -  Stuart and Skyler talk to each other on the phone about the show.
"E! True Hollywood Story: American Idol: Girls Rule" (2005)
 -  Story tackles the female winners of the reality show.
"The Boondocks: The Real (#1.8)" (2006)
 -  The White Shadow has to leave because he doesn't want to "miss 'the Idol'".
SherryBaby (2006)
 -  Sherry sings for her daughter and her family tells her, she should go on the show and would probably win.
"Jeopardy!: 2006 Teen Tournament Quarterfinal 4 (#22.109)" (2006)
 -  referenced in clue in "Single Women" category
"Real Time with Bill Maher: (#4.2)" (2006)
 -  Maher makes fun of Abdul's behavior
"Howard Stern on Demand: Best of 02/20-02/24, 2006" (2006)
 -  Howard compares Roger Ebert's show to the show
Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector (2006)
 -  when larry plays the tape of the mayors confession, he tells him that "you were singing like one of them choir boys on American Idol"
"The Simpsons: Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife (#17.15)" (2006)
 -  American Idol holding pen on Fox lot
"Howard Stern on Demand: Artie Gambles/Sandra Bernhard" (2006)
 -  Howard loves the show
Wordplay (2006)
 -  American "Crossword" Idol Talent Show sign
"Saturday Night Live: Antonio Banderas/Mary J. Blige (#31.15)" (2006)
 -  Referenced during Weekend Update
Over the Hedge (2006)
"The Office: Drug Testing (#2.20)" (2006)
 -  Michael says, "Peace out, Seacrest."
"Howard Stern on Demand: Joey G Phoner/Live" (2006)
 -  Howard talks about the show
"Saturday Night Live: Julia Louis-Dreyfus/Paul Simon (#31.18)" (2006)
 -  Mentioned during cold opening
Lewis Black: Red, White and Screwed (2006) (TV)
 -  mentioned by name
I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006) (V)
 -  "You're gonna be the next American Idol"
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
 -  Andy says that she chatted about American Idol with Miranda
Material Girls (2006)
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006)
 -  "you're like an 'American Idol' or something"
"Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: New Grade & Dodgeball (#3.1)" (2006)
 -  "Crubbs out!"
"ER: Ames v. Kovac (#13.5)" (2006)
 -  When Abby sings in the phone to her infant, Sam jokes that she is auditioning for American Idol
"Saturday Night Live: Alec Baldwin/Christina Aguilera (#32.5)" (2006)
 -  mentioned by 'Saddam Hussein' (Alec Baldwin)
Sam and Max: Situation Comedy (2006) (VG)
 -  The show 'Embarrassing Idol' is a direct reference to 'American Idol'
"Saturday Night Live: Jeremy Piven/AFI (#32.11)" (2007)
 -  Mentioned during Weekend Update
"Tavis Smiley: (2007-01-23)" (2007)
 -  mentioned
Epic Movie (2007)
 -  Jack Swallows says he named his ship after Fantasia from this show
"Ugly Betty: I'm Coming Out (#1.14)" (2007)
 -  Betty mentions it when she meets Katherine McPhee
"Screenwipe: (#3.1)" (2007)
 -  Mentioned.
Music and Lyrics (2007)
 -  "We think it's going to be bigger than 'American Idol'."
"Saturday Night Live: Rainn Wilson/Arcade Fire (#32.14)" (2007)
 -  Mentioned on Weekend Update
"30 Rock: The Fighting Irish (#1.17)" (2007)
 -  Mentioned by Kenneth
"Saturday Night Live: Julia Louis-Dreyfus/Snow Patrol (#32.15)" (2007)
 -  Mentioned during Weekend Update
"The New Adventures of Old Christine: Strange Bedfellows (#2.17)" (2007)
 -  Christine watches it.
"Saturday Night Live: Peyton Manning/Carrie Underwood (#32.16)" (2007)
 -  Mentioned on Weekend Update
"Saturday Night Live: Scarlett Johansson/Björk (#32.18)" (2007)
 -  Referenced during the monologue
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Ending Happy (#7.21)" (2007)
 -  Brass asks Dreama "Do I look like Paula Abdul to you?" after she sings
Kickin It Old Skool (2007)
 -  when someone mentions this show, Justin has never heard of it
"What the Buck?!: Beyonce Threatens to Lick Jennifer Hudson for Winning Oscar! (#1.2)" (2007)
 -  Michael Mentions that Jennifer Hudson was an Ex-American Idol Finalist
"The Simpsons: You Kent Always Say What You Want (#18.22)" (2007)
 -  "Entertaining America with hits like ..."
Knocked Up (2007)
 -  Ryan Seacreast mentions that the shoot can't take very long because he has to go do American Idol.
"The Starter Wife" (2007)
 -  The characters discuss the show at Joan's brunch.
"The Sopranos: Made in America (#6.21)" (2007)
 -  mentioned in dialogue
Dead Man's Hand (2007)
 -  " 'American Idol' rejects"
Assume the Position 201 with Mr. Wuhl (2007) (TV)
 -  still of the cast
Gabriel Iglesias: Hot and Fluffy (2007) (TV)
 -  "We don't vote for Presidents. We vote for things like 'American Idol'."
"Tripping the Rift: Skankenstein (#3.1)" (2007)
 -  Dr. Skankenstein left to audition for this show
"Trading Spaces: Thrills and Spills" (2007)
 -  "Trading Spaces meets American Idol" said by narrator
"Family Guy: Lois Kills Stewie (#6.5)" (2007)
 -  A cutaway shows Stewie auditioning for American Idol. Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul all voice themselves.
"The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XVIII (#19.5)" (2007)
 -  Marge vacuums up the "American Idol" logo that pops up on the screen.
"Top Gear: (2007-11-11)" (2007)
 -  Mentioned by Simon
Kathy Griffin: Straight to Hell (2007) (TV)
 -  Mentioned in discussion of Paula Abdul.
Sugar (2008/I)
 -  mentioned by Sugar's sister
"Phineas and Ferb: Flop Starz (#1.3)" (2008)
 -  The theme music to "The Next Super American Pop Teen Idol Star" is similar to the "American Idol" theme.
"Eli Stone: Something to Save (#1.6)" (2008)
 -  Dr. Chen: "This is the second time you've seen your boss singing to you, Eli. What does that tell you?" Eli: "He should try out for American Idol."
Otis (2008)
 -  Referenced in dialogue
"King of the Hill: Lady and Gentrification (#12.14)" (2008)
 -  mentioned by Dale
"Saturday Night Live: Jonah Hill/Mariah Carey (#33.8)" (2008)
 -  Mentioned on Weekend Update
"30 Rock: Cooter (#2.15)" (2008)
 -  Mentioned by Jenna and Kenneth while practicing back door bragging
"The O'Reilly Factor: (2008-05-15)" (2008)
 -  This show is referenced in the mail segment.
"Just In with Laura Ingraham: (2008-07-03)" (2008)
 -  This TV show is referenced in the 'Art & Soul' segment.
Home Movie (2008/II)
 -  "'American Idol', look out."
100 Feet (2008)
 -  mentioned in dialogue
The House Bunny (2008)
 -  Shelley mentions the judges after being asked who's she going to vote for
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: (#7.24)" (2008)
 -  Included in a $100 question
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: (#7.25)" (2008)
 -  Included in a $16,000 question
Jeff Dunham's Very Special Christmas Special (2008) (TV)
 -  mentioned in dialogue
Bride Wars (2009)
 -  Mention the show and the judges Paula and Simon, more than once
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
 -  Summer mentioned wanting to watch 'Idol' when she is playing house with Tom at Ikea
The Rebound (2009)
 -  Aram plays American Idol with the kids
"iCarly: iRocked the Vote (#2.9)" (2009)
 -  "America Sings" is modeled after this game show
"Late Night with Conan O'Brien: (#17.27)" (2009)
 -  mentioned in Conan's monologue
"House M.D.: Here Kitty (#5.18)" (2009)
 -  "I got to say, I don't think the changes they made to American Idol really work for me."
"Gossip Girl: The Grandfather (#2.19)" (2009)
 -  Vanessa says that it is the only thing for which Nate has ever voted.
The Soloist (2009)
 -  when Paula Abdul is mentioned, Steve mentions Simon Cowell (they were both judges on this show)
Spike's Guys Choice (2009) (TV)
 -  Mentioned by Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
Brüno (2009)
 -  Paula Abdul is presented as "American Idol Judge"
"Psych: Extradition: British Columbia (#4.1)" (2009)
 -  In prison, Gus says, "Shawn used my one phone call to vote for 'American Idol.'"
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: (#4.7)" (2009/I)
 -  referenced in a $1,000 question
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: (#8.6)" (2009)
 -  Subject of a $5,000 question
"The Jay Leno Show: (#1.3)" (2009)
 -  Jay mentions that Ellen DeGeneres will become a judge on the show
"The Jay Leno Show: (#1.5)" (2009)
 -  Jay asks Mel Gibson which of four reality shows (including this one) he would prefer to be on
"The Jay Leno Show: (#1.6)" (2009)
 -  Jay mentions that the show lost to "The Amazing Race" at the Emmys
"Community: Introduction to Film (#1.3)" (2009)
 -  Abed's dad tells Jeff, "You go host 'American Idol.'"
"Dancing with the Stars: Round Three (#9.6)" (2009/I)
 -  Paula Abdul compares Len Goodman to Simon Cowell
"The Jay Leno Show: (#1.16)" (2009)
 -  Joe Torre says he used to be embarrassed to watch the show
"Wheel of Fortune: Fall Foliage 3 (#27.18)" (2009)
 -  Puzzle "American Idol Says Goodbye to Paula"
"Parks and Recreation: Sister City (#2.5)" (2009)
 -  Mentioned by Leslie to the Venezuelans as something great about America
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: (#8.30)" (2009)
 -  Reference in a $500 question
"Hannah Montana: Judge Me Tender (#3.25)" (2009)
 -  "America's Top Talent" is modeled after this game show
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: (#8.31)" (2009)
 -  Subject of a $500 question
"30 Rock: Into the Crevasse (#4.2)" (2009)
 -  Mentioned by Banks
"Jeopardy!: (#26.32)" (2009)
 -  Reference to Paula Abdul being a judge in a $400 clue in the category "20 Years Later"
"Greek: Evasive Actions (#2.15)" (2009)
 -  Casey mocks Frannie's lack of singing ability, calling her Sanjaya. Later, Frannie says that one of her sorority's pledges made it to the show's Hollywood round.
"The Jay Leno Show: (#1.38)" (2009)
 -  Jay refers to Adam Lambert as being from the show
"Saturday Night Live: Taylor Swift (#35.5)" (2009)
 -  Mentioned on Hollywood Dish

Featured in

William Hung: Hangin' with Hung (2004) (V)
 -  Features footage from the TV show
"Screenwipe: (#3.1)" (2007)
 -  Clip shown.
"The O'Reilly Factor: (2008-03-14)" (2008)
 -  Clips of this TV show are featured in a segment about an aleged gender discrimination complaint.
"The O'Reilly Factor: (2008-03-18)" (2008)
 -  Clips of this TV show are featured during the 'Pinheads & Patriots' segment.
"The O'Reilly Factor: (2008-04-14)" (2008)
 -  Clips of the 4/10/2008 episode were shown, featuring Jimmy Kimmel ripping into Simon Cowell.
"The O'Reilly Factor: (2008-04-30)" (2008)
 -  Clips of the 4/29/2008 show were featured with Paul Adbul making a blunder.
"I Love the New Millennium: (#1.3)" (2008)
 -  Shown on the 2002 episode
"The Paul O'Grady Show: (2009-04-30)" (2009)
 -  Clip shown.
"The Paul O'Grady Show: (2009-10-13)" (2009)
 -  Clip shown.

Spoofed in

Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Halftime Special (2003) (TV)
 -  Spoofed during opening credits and after the break
"Saturday Night Live: Adrien Brody/Sean Paul & Wayne Wonder (#28.19)" (2003)
 -  Spoofed during the cold opening
Scary Movie 3 (2003)
 -  Simon Cowell appears to judge a rap freestyle battle
American Porn Star (2004) (V)
 -  gay porn parody
"Saturday Night Live: Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey/G-Unit (#29.10)" (2004)
 -  Spooofed in American Idol skit
"Saturday Night Live: Megan Mullally/Clay Aiken (#29.11)" (2004)
 -  Spoofed in Weekend Update
"The Simpsons: Smart & Smarter (#15.13)" (2004)
 -  Simon himself participates in this episode and spoofs his own capricious remarks and assessments of toddlers, including Lisa's younger sister, competing to be enrolled into a school for toddler prodiges.
"Saturday Night Live: Janet Jackson (#29.17)" (2004)
 -  Spoofed with Simon Cowell as himself
Far Far Away Idol (2004) (V)
 -  Not only does Simon play himself, but this is an entire spoof of the show.
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Jimmy Fallon (2005) (V)
 -  Spoofed during impressions montage
"Saturday Night Live: Paris Hilton/Keane (#30.11)" (2005)
 -  a sketch spoofs the show
"Robot Chicken: Plastic Buffet (#1.4)" (2005)
 -  Ryan Seacrest spoofs his role on the show
"Robot Chicken: The Deep End (#1.8)" (2005)
 -  a sketch titled "Zombie Idol" with dead rock stars
"Saturday Night Live: Johnny Knoxville/System of a Down (#30.18)" (2005)
 -  Spoofed during cold opening
"The Simpsons: A Star Is Torn (#16.18)" (2005)
 -  Krusty's "L'il Superstar" is a spoof of the TV-show; also, the logos of both shows resemble
"Reno 911!: Released from Prison (#3.1)" (2005)
 -  Dangle tries out for American Idol
"Reno 911!: Revenge of Mike Powers (#3.2)" (2005)
 -  Dangle tries out for American Idol
American Dreamz (2006)
 -  film revolves around a similar television show
"The Fairly OddParents: Fairy Idol (#6.8)" (2006)
 -  Most of the episode is a spoof of American Idol.
"MADtv: (#11.21)" (2006)
 -  A Randy Jackson sketch that parodies him and American Idol
The Fairly OddParents in Fairy Idol (2006) (TV)
 -  Is a parody of this show using FOP characters.
"Saturday Night Live: Kevin Spacey/Nelly Furtado (#31.19)" (2006)
 -  Spoofed during monologue
Endurance Challenge: Mordred's Isle Episode 1 (2006) (V)
 -  One Character thought he was auditioning for that singing reality show
"Robins: (#1.7)" (2006)
 -  Cales spoofs his judging from swedish "Idol"
"Reba: As We Forgive Those... (#6.8)" (2007)
 -  Kelly Clarkson appears in the episode and Brock, Cheyenne, and Van pretend to be Randy, Paula, and Simon from American Idol and critique her weather report.
"MADtv: (#12.12)" (2007)
 -  Nicole Parker plays Paula Abdul who is quite tipsy
"Saturday Night Live: Drew Barrymore/Lily Allen (#32.12)" (2007)
 -  spoofed during cold opening
"MADtv: (#12.13)" (2007)
 -  The Judges don't like Ike and Bobby's Show opener
"Saturday Night Live: Molly Shannon/Linkin Park (#32.19)" (2007)
 -  Spoofed during Cold Opening
"Psych: American Duos (#2.1)" (2007)
 -  The "American Duos" TV show is a spoof of "American Idol," with parodies of the judges (Nigel - Simon Cowell, Emilina - Paula Abdul, Zapato - Randy Jackson) and Ryan Seacrest (Lester).
Sam & Max: Season 1 (2007) (VG)
 -  At one point in the game, Sam & Max enter the 'Embarrassing Idol' contest.
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: The Gang Solves the North Korea Situation (#3.6)" (2007)
 -  Frank, Dee & Mac judge and comment on people auditioning for a talent show in the same manner as Randy, Paula & Simon (respectively).
Meet the Spartans (2008)
 -  Leonidas kicks Sanjaya, Paula, Randy and Simon into the pit, and convinces Ryan to jump in after them; cast sings "I Will Survive" on the set at the end
"Arthur: Room to Ride/The Frensky Family Fiasco (#12.2)" (2008)
 -  Francine and her family are watching "Starcast" and a Judge resembling Simon Cowell appears
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Amy Poehler (2009) (TV)
 -  It is spoofed in the "American Idol" segment.

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