American Idol (season 5) American Idol (season 5) The fifth season of reality television singing competition "American Idol" began on January 17, 2006, and concluded on May 24, 2006. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell returned to judge, and Ryan Seacrest returned to host. It is the most successful season to date ratings-wise, and resulted in 18 contestants (including all of the top 10 and a few semifinalists) getting record deals – nine of them with major labels. It was the first season with a male winner (Taylor Hicks) and a female runner-up (Katharine McPhee). It was also the first season of the
Peter Jackson (judge) Peter Jackson (judge) Sir Peter Arthur Brian Jackson, PC (born 9 December 1955), styled The Rt Hon Lord Justice Jackson, is an English Appeal Court judge. Previously he was a High Court Judge assigned to the Family Division. Jackson was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 1978 and became a Queen's Counsel in 2000. He was subsequently appointed as a Recorder in 1998, a Deputy High Court Judge in 2003 and a High Court Judge with effect from 1 October 2010. Referring to his work as a barrister (not as a judge), Chambers & Partners described Jackson