The cultural phenomenon of American Idol amazed me. I can’t say I was ever a tremendous Ido fan, but when it was in its prime, that was THE television event. Long before DVRs or Tivos were a thing, Idol was appointment viewing. Whether that says more about the quality of the show or the ludicrous nature of the hivemind mentality of the general populace is up for debate, but what’s not up for debate is the careers that show launched, both on the stage and from the judges’ box.
Today’s birthday boy, Randy Jackson, was one of the original judges with Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul.