On September 4, 2002, the first season of American Idol came to a close as they announced that Kelly Clarkson beat Justin Guarini for the top spot. It is difficult to believe it has been so long since the crowning of one of the most successful artists (if not the most successful singer) to come out of any reality television show.
I still remember the sense that everyone knew that Clarkson would win and then came Guarini’s over-the-top reaction but still genuine happiness for Clarkson. It also was our last time seeing Brian Dunkleman on stage co-hosting the season with Ryan Seacrest, who continued as a solo host in subsequent seasons.
But the most memorable part of it all was seeing Clarkson’s joy as she broke down in tears while singing her coronation song, “A Moment Like This.”
What we did not know then was how long American Idol, which was based on a British show Pop Idol, would continue and would be popular in various formats around the world. We also had no idea how that season helped transform American television into a factory for many lesser reality shows.
American Idol also was part of a sea change in the music business. New technologies challenged some talented struggling artists, leaving much of the market to reality show artists.
In other ways, the September 2002 finale also was a sign of a return to normalcy one year after the events of September 11, 2001. Once again Americans showed they could care so much for something silly. There is probably something wrong with that, but at the time the show just seemed like a lot of fun.
What do you think of the legacy of American Idol? Leave your two cents in the comments.
