Idol Season

From American Idol Official press release

“THIS IS AMERICAN IDOL” CONTEST TO SEND ONE LUCKY WINNER
TO HOLLYWOOD TO APPEAR ON STAGE WITH RYAN SEACREST

In celebration of its much-anticipated 10th season, AMERICAN IDOL will launch IDOL ACROSS AMERICA, a biodiesel-fueled mobile experience tour traveling to 16 cities across the U.S. over a four-week period beginning Wednesday, Jan. 19.

During the mobile tour, visitors who are U.S. residents 15 years of age or older will have the opportunity to record their own take on the “This is AMERICAN IDOL…” introduction made famous by Ryan Seacrest and be entered into a nationwide contest for a chance to win a trip to Hollywood to deliver the famous line on the IDOL stage alongside Ryan! See information below for eligibility, complete rules and more information.

As part of the tour, fans will also have the opportunity to participate in the “Be Your Own Idol” singing experience and pose for photos – which they can pick up online and then upload to their favorite social-networking sites – at the IDOL judges’ table alongside life-size standees of host Ryan Seacrest and judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

In addition to viewing one-of-a-kind AMERICAN IDOL memorabilia – including framed platinum records, Ryan Seacrest’s suit, Carrie Underwood’s finale dress and David Cook’s guitar – and photos, fans can take a trip down memory lane by watching the special “Welcome Home” documentary that showcases all nine past IDOL winners.

The 10th season of AMERICAN IDOL kicks off with a two-night premiere Wednesday, Jan. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

IDOL ACROSS AMERICA launches at the following locations:

“THIS IS AMERICAN IDOL” CONTEST
OFFICIAL RULES
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE OR WIN

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE RULES AND ANY OTHER DIRECTION GIVEN BY EVENT PERSONNEL MAY RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION AND/OR FORFEITURE OF ANY PRIZE WON.

GENERAL REGISTRATION PARTICIPANTS:
All interested individuals who are eligible (eligible participants are 15 and over at time of entry; neither an employee, nor an immediate family member of an employee of FOX Broadcasting Company, 19 Entertainment, Fremantle Entertainment or any advertising or Contest agency) and present at any/all stops of the Season 10 AMERICAN IDOL BUS TOUR will read these rules and give their verbal consist on camera to participate. Upon consent, each participant will slate for the camera with their full name, age and address. Each individual is only allowed to enter the contest and participate on camera once.

“This is AMERICAN IDOL” Contest:

Host or Event Personnel will demonstrate the directions for recording the contest entry for the camera.

The participant will then record their best variation of Ryan Seacrest’s famous “This is AMERICAN IDOL” introduction. Contestants are encouraged to be enthusiastic and creative with their entries. Note – any contestant whose video entry contains profanity, nudity or other inappropriate content in the Event Personnel’s sole discretion will automatically be disqualified and their video will be destroyed.

Upon completion of the video entry, event personnel will email all video submissions to Fox Broadcasting Company. No parties associated with the contest or AMERICAN IDOL Bus tour are responsible for lost or damaged video submissions.

All eligible submissions will be reviewed and judged by a panel consisting of American Idol producers and/or FOX executives (collectively, the “Judges”) based on the following criteria: 1) On Camera Appeal. 2) Enthusiasm & Personality 3) Creativity. In the event of a tie, the tied submissions will be judged solely on the criteria of on camera appeal. 10 potential finalists will be chosen by the Judges and will be required to complete and sign additional paperwork (including verification of identity and parental permission if finalist is a minor in his/her state of residence) in order to be eligible to win. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of finalist status. All decisions of the Judges are final.

From the top ten confirmed finalists, Ryan Seacrest or appropriate American Idol production executive will select the grand prize winner. Selection of the winner is at the sole discretion of Ryan Seacrest and/or American Idol production executives.

The Grand Prize winner will be notified by phone and email and will have 10 days to respond and accept prize by returning all required paperwork for winner and guest. If the winner cannot be contacted, the second place winner will be moved into the grand prize slot. This will continue until winner is selected. Based on availability, the winner may be announced on AmericanIdol.com.

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a round trip coach class airfare for (2) from the airport with regularly scheduled flights closest to winner’s city of residence to Los Angeles, CA. The winner will receive two nights stay (room and room tax only, double occupancy) at a Los Angeles hotel and transportation to and from location of AMERICAN IDOL recording facility. Winner is responsible for all other incidental expenses and fees. The winner will receive the opportunity to present the infamous “This is AMERICAN IDOL” phrase on stage with Ryan Seacrest at a date chosen by production. Note, Fox Broadcasting Company, Fremantle, 19 Entertainment are not responsible for any delays or cancellations due to production exigencies. There is no guarantee that winner’s performance will be broadcast. In the event that production of American Idol is cancelled or postponed, the related portion of the prize may be cancelled without substitution or compensation. The approximate retail value (“ARV”) of the First Place prize is $2,500 USD, depending on location of winner’s residence.

The top ten finalists will receive an AMERICAN IDOL T-shirt and any additional prizing that may be provided by Fox Broadcasting Company. The ARV of the finalist prize is $20.00 USD.

WINNERS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT OF ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND/OR LOCAL TAXES RESULTING FROM ACCEPTANCE OF PRIZES.

Awarding of prizes is expressly conditioned upon compliance with these rules, which are subject to change as deemed reasonably necessary by AMERICAN IDOL Production, Fremantle, 19 Entertainment, Event Personnel and/or Fox Broadcasting Company.