<P> The first season was co-hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman following the format of Pop Idol of using two presenters . Dunkleman quit thereafter, making Seacrest the sole emcee of the show starting with season two . Dunkleman did, however, return in the series finale . Seacrest will also be returning for Season 16 . </P> <P> In a series of steps, the show selected the eventual winner out of many tens of thousands of contestants . </P> <P> The eligible age - range for contestants was fifteen to twenty - eight years old . The initial age limit was sixteen to twenty - four in the first three seasons, but the upper limit was raised to twenty - eight in season four, and the lower limit was reduced to fifteen in season ten . The contestants had to be legal U.S. residents, could not have advanced to particular stages of the competition in previous seasons, and must not have held a current recording or talent representation contract by the semi-final stage (in previous years by the audition stage). </P> <P> Contestants went through at least three sets of cuts . The first was a brief audition with a few other contestants in front of selectors which may include one of the show's producers . Although auditions can exceed 10,000 in each city, only a few hundred of these made it past the preliminary round of auditions . Successful contestants then sang in front of producers, where more may be cut . Only then can they proceed to audition in front of the judges, which is the only audition stage shown on television . Those selected by the judges are sent to Hollywood . Between 10--60 people in each city may make it to Hollywood . </P>

What is the age cut off for american idol
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