• American Idol is the US version of Pop Idol and is currently the most popular talent show in the US.
• Pop Idol, replaced in 2004 by The X Factor, is one of the UK's top earning TV format exports.
• Shown on ITV, American Idol has a strong fan base in the UK also.
• Journalist Richard Rushfield has spent years covering American Idol for the Los Angeles Times.
• With unprecedented access to cast, crew and judges, he can reveal stories readers won't be able to find anywhere else.