American Idol is a "remake" of the UK's Pop Idol. Of course it could've been influenced by Star Search, as most things are these days on TV and in movies and on radio and in books and........ And I'm sure Star Search wasn't the first talent show on the planet, either: Remember the Gong Show?
I studied Italian for 2 semesters. Not once was a "C" pronounced as a "G", and never was a trailing "I" ignored! And I'm from Jersey! lol
Whaddaya want me to do? Whack a guy? Off a guy? Whack off a guy?--Peter Griffin
Of course it could've been influenced by Star Search, as most things are these days on TV and in movies and on radio and in books and........ 
lol