Entertainment

‘American Idol’ By the Numbers

The Karaoke Count

A breakdown of the reality TV juggernaut’s massive pop-culture presence. By Kevin Fallon and Bronson Stamp.

articles/2013/01/17/american-idol-by-the-numbers/130116-idol-by-the-numbers-tease_yn5xqy
Kevin Winter/Getty,Kevin Winter

Since Kelly Clarkson first charmed Simon, Paula, and Randy in her homemade denim shirt fashioned out of a pair of jeans, plus a silky-sweet rendition of “At Last,” 133 finalists, 10 judges, and 42 renditions of Whitney songs have graced—or, in some cases, disgraced—the American Idol stage. In honor of the reality TV stalwart’s two-part 12th season premiere Wednesday and Thursday, we take a look back at Idol’s massive pop-culture presence, by the numbers.