As the first season begins, FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham is called in to investigate a mysterious outbreak that nearly kills her partner. The only person with any answers is an institutionalized scientist, Dr. Walter Bishop who can only be released under the care of his estranged son. Together, the three discover that the answer to this mystery is only a small piece of a much larger, more shocking truth.

《美国偶像》（American meijubar.net Idol ）的原型是英国电视节目《流行偶像》（Pop Idol）。2001年英国电视台推出选秀鼻祖节目《流行偶像》，首届落幕便挖掘出了三名歌坛优质偶像：威尔-扬(Will Young)、葛瑞-盖斯(Gareth Gates)和达拉斯(Darius)，一时间偶像旋风席卷全球。FOX广播公司慧眼识珠，以7000多万美元买下节目版权并加以适当改编，从2002年起每年主办一届，目的是发掘新一代的美国歌手，获得当季冠军的选手即为当年度的美国偶像，获得一纸价值百万美元的唱片合约。