'American Idol' Season 7

7 ways 'American Idol' changed television

Love it or hate it, American Idol has changed TV and society more than any other television series this decade.

Live TV still shines in an on-demand world

Snapshots from the world of live TV in recent weeks:

Pop goes the 'idol'

In its seventh season, American Idol is still TV's biggest draw. Maybe it's the razzle-dazzle, Vegas-on-steroids staging of the big-voiced amateurs that makes it all so appealing. Or perhaps it's the supposed power that viewers have in deciding the fate of pop-star hopefuls.

Entertainment

Little time for LaKisha Jones to be idle after 'Idol'

When Provident Bank hired LaKisha Jones to work at the Millersville branch in 2006, her co-workers could not have imagined that she was just four months away from the beginning of an explosive singing and acting career. Her fourth-place finish during Season 6 of American Idol was only the start.

American Idols by degrees

As American Idol glitters into its seventh season tonight, the cultural craze just gets more complex. With the Hollywood writers' strike wiping out scripted prime-time programming, the reality series may be an even greater ratings juggernaut than in seasons past.

Kevin Cowherd: Just can't wait to humiliate

Here is the question you have to ask yourself when tuning in to the season debut of American Idol tonight: Is there something wrong with me?

'American' dream

Leaving the small screen behind for a national tour, this year's American Idol contestants have lost some glitz but regained some grit.

Tour de force

Lakisha Jones hasn't been feeling well lately.