The fourth season of American Idol premiered on January 18, 2005 and continued until May 25, 2005. It was hosted by Ryan Seacrest. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell also returned to judge. It was won by Carrie Underwood.

The third season of American Idol premiered on January 19, 2004 and continued until May 26, 2004. The third season was won by Fantasia Barrino, who defeated Diana DeGarmo by an approximate margin of 2% (1.3 million votes); the vote total (65 million votes) was the highest recorded vote total in the show's history until the May 23, 2007 finale of American Idol 6. This season also featured Jennifer Hudson, who was controversially voted off in an early round but went on to become an Academy Award-winning actress.

The first season of American Idol premiered on June 11, 2002 (under the full title American Idol: The Search For A Superstar) and continued until September 4, 2002. It was won by Kelly Clarkson. This season was co-hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman, who left the show after one season.

The fifth season of American Idol began on January 17, 2006 and concluded on May 24, 2006. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell returned to judge, and Ryan Seacrest returned to host. It is the most successful season to date ratings-wise and also with 13 contestants (including all of the top 9) getting record deals - seven of them with major labels. It was also the first season of the series to be aired in high definition.

The sixth season of American Idol premiered on the Fox Broadcasting Company on January 16, 2007 and ran until May 23, 2007. Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returned to judge once again, and Ryan Seacrest returned as host. Jordin Sparks won the competition. Melinda Doolittle was named one of the best singers in Idol History during her elimination. This season also produced two Top 3 contestants never in the Bottom 2 or 3, Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle.

The seventh season of American Idol, which premiered on January 15, 2008, is the current season of the annual popular reality show and singing competition. Ryan Seacrest continues to host the show with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returning as judges.