#1 in 2005: American Idol

Yet again another unwanted and unloved television show would climb to the top of the heap. American Idol would get rejected by ABC, NBC, CBS, UPN, the WB and even Fox. Fox owner Rupert Murdoch's daughter saw the British version of the show and recommended it for the network. Even so, Fox ignored her. Only after Mr. Murdoch stepped in did the network grudgingly pick up the show, relegating it to the slow summer months. The show started slow but built up its audience over the summer of 2001. The unwanted show had become a phenomenon.