Both formats are great accepted by the peolpe in these countries. Due to the population of the USA the US Show “American Idol” has a lot more of observers but both shows are really succesfull.

Ther US show American Idol is older than the german show. American Idol started in 2002 and six shows have been done till now. In Germany the first show started in 2002 too, but till 2007 just four seasons have been completed. In the US Format the Jury is continuos the same since the start:

Paula Abdul

Simon Cowell

Randy Jackson

In Germany the Jury was changed several times, beginning with

Dieter Bohlen

Thomas Bug

Shona Fraser

Thomas M. Stein

 

This jury was also used in the second season, in the third season some jury members were gone ans the jury was reduced to three people.

Dieter Bohlen

Sylvia Kollek

Heinz Henn

In the fourth season Sylvia Kollek was substituded by Anja Lukaseder. So the Jury for the fourth season ( and maybe also the fifth season of DSDS, starting in 2008 ) is

Dieter Bohlen

Anja Lukaseder

Heinz Henn