Season 8: The one with Glambert

Season eight saw the beginning of a judging shake-up that would continue until Mariah Carey sings. Kara DioGuardi was introduced to the panel ('member her?) and Nigel Lythgoe, who had been the show's executive producer until this point, left to focus on the international versions of his show So You Think You Can Dance?.

This was also the season that Adam Lambert came out of the closet, Alexis Grace's contestant number turned out to be a sex line and AT&T attempted to sway voting in favour of Arkansas native Kris Allen by supplying free mobile phones and texting services for fans who organized support parties. Allen went on to win the season, but really, Glambert clearly took the prize of longevity and loud, loyal fans.