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We take a look back at moments in ‘Idol’ history before season 10 kicks off. By Katie Byrne Kara DioGuardi and Katrina “Bikini Girl” Darrell onstage at the 2009 “American Idol” finale Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images/FOX To celebrate the 10th season of “American Idol” (does that make anyone else feel ancient?), we’re digging into the MTV News archives each week to take a look at monumental moments in “Idol” history. Back in 2002, Kelly Clarkson was just a gleam in America’s eye, not the chart-topping pop/rock diva she’s become. Will the new season — which kicks off Wednesday night (January 19) — find just as stellar a superstar? Only time will tell. Until then, let’s take a look back at This Week in “Idol”: 2010: General Larry Platt Drops Trou Of all the original songs heard during the audition rounds, none made a bigger impact on pop culture than General Larry Platt’s “Pants on the Ground.” At the time, we declared that the ode to saggy drawers “was no ‘I Am Your Brother.’ ” Did “I Am Your Brother” get covered by Jimmy Fallon as Neil Young and teach Justin Bieber the value of a belt ? Not so much. 2009: Kara DioGuardi vs. Bikini Girl During Kara DioGuardi’s first night on the show , “Idol” viewers were wondering what kind of impression she would leave. Their questions were answered when the new judge got into the cattiest of all catfights with Katrina “Bikini Girl” Darrell, an auditioner wearing nothing more than a two-piece who fancied herself the next Mariah Carey. DioGuardi defended her claws-out attack on the “Idol” wannabe but also gave Darrell props for self-promotion. “To her credit, she’s gotten so much attention. It was probably a good call to wear the bikini at the end of the day,” DioGuardi said at the time. “But we wouldn’t be talking about the bikini if she killed the song.” 2008: Not-So-Undiscovered Talent “American Idol” has always prided itself in giving ordinary people a shot at an extraordinary music career. But what if the “Idol” contestants weren’t so ordinary? Heading into season seven of the reality juggernaut, fans were outraged to learn that two early favorites — Kristy Lee Cook and Carly Smithson — both had previous recording contracts. Executive producer Ken Warwick defended the hopefuls’ professional pasts : “The truth of the matter is, there are too many people who come on to audition for us to go into all their backgrounds. We judge it purely on, when they walk through the door, if they have a record company attached to them already, then we’re not interested. If they have a management contract, they’ve got to lose it. … We take them on the merits of ‘Can they sing or not?’ ” But that explanation didn’t cut it for some “Idol” watchers . “I don’t think I’m liking the direction ‘AI’ is heading,” one fan told MTV News in January 2008. “What happened to undiscovered talent like Kellie Pickler and Elliott Yamin, that are regular people with side jobs and school and stuff?” 2006: Brittenum Twins in Double Trouble Terrell and Derrell Brittenum are probably best remembered for their disruptive Hollywood Week appearance, but just after their initial auditions, the media caught wind of their equally disruptive criminal past. As it turned out, Terrell Brittenum was in jail when America was introduced to his smooth singing voice, and Derrell was wanted by police. Both were charged in Rockdale County, Georgia, with forgery, theft by deception and financial identity fraud when the brothers allegedly used another man’s identity to buy a car. Legal issues or no, the twins’ “Idol” chances were done in by their Hollywood Week tantrums. 2003: Dunkleman, Out Brian who? Original “Idol” co-host Brian Dunkleman chose to leave the show after its first season to pursue a career in stand-up comedy and acting, leaving Ryan Seacrest to man the ship solo — and create a media empire in the meantime. Dunkleman has since appeared on VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club” and admitted to Howard Stern that his “Idol” exit might not have been the best move. 2002: This … Is “American Idol” Nine years ago, a little singing competition judged by a prickly British guy, a behind-the-scenes music producer and a has-been pop star premiered. It had “surefire hit” written all over it, right? Well, not really. But the show gained steam each week, powered by the raw talent of Kelly Clarkson, Justin Guarini and Tamyra Gray and the “how mean can he get?” critiques of Simon Cowell. A national sensation was born, and we haven’t looked back since. [ Editor’s note: Sure, the show premiered in June, not January, but we can’t leave out the biggest “Idol” moment of them all! ] Will the latest “Idol” makeover keep it trucking for another 10 years or stop it dead in its tracks? We’ll have to wait until next year’s This Week in “Idol” to find out … Don’t miss our “American Idol” live stream “Judging the Judges: An ‘Idol’ Without Simon,” featuring post-show analysis from Jim Cantiello and special guests, on MTV.com tonight at 10 p.m. ET. Tweet your “Idol” commentary with the hashtag #idolwithoutsimon, and we could quote you on the show! Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Originally posted here:
This Week In ‘American Idol’: From Premiere To ‘Pants On The Ground’