The thing that makes American Idol such compelling television is its unpredictability.  It's strange to go back and look at the results of the first seven seasons of the FOX series, as some of America's choices seem completely bizarre in hindsight.  How did Jennifer Hudson only make it to seventh place?  Did Justin Guarini really land in the top two?  What was our nation thinking when they crowned Taylor Hicks the best singer in the country?

To get fans ready for season 8 of American Idol, which kicks off on January 13, we've compiled a list of everyone who's ever made it into the top 12.  Take a look at the list, and make sure to think twice the next time you want to vote for a singer of questionable talent.  After all, do we really need another Sanjaya?

American Idol Season 7

WINNER:      David Cook
Runner-Up:  David Archuleta
3rd Place:     Syesha Mercado
4th Place:     Jason Castro
5th Place:     Brooke White
6th Place:     Carly Smithson
7th Place:     Kristy Lee Cook
8th Place:     Michael Johns
9th Place:     Ramiele Malubay
10th Place:   Chikezie Eze
11th Place:   Amanda Overmyer
12th Place:   David Hernandez


American Idol Season 6

WINNER:      Jordin Sparks
Runner-Up:  Blake Lewis
3rd Place:     Melinda Doolittle
4th Place:     LaKisha Jones
5th Place:     Chris Richardson
6th Place:     Phil Stacey
7th Place:     Sanjaya Malakar
8th Place:     Haley Scarnato
9th Place:     Gina Glocksen
10th Place:   Chris Sligh
11th Place:   Stephanie Edwards
12th Place:   Brandon Rogers


American Idol Season 5

WINNER:      Taylor Hicks
Runner-Up:  Katharine McPhee
3rd Place:     Elliott Yamin
4th Place:     Chris Daughtry
5th Place:     Paris Bennett
6th Place:     Kellie Pickler
7th Place:     Ace Young
8th Place:     Bucky Covington
9th Place:     Mandisa
10th Place:   Lisa Tucker
11th Place:   Kevin Covais
12th Place:   Melissa McGhee


American Idol Season 4

WINNER:      Carrie Underwood
Runner-Up:  Bo Bice
3rd Place:     Vonzell Solomon
4th Place:     Anthony Fedorov
5th Place:     Scott Savol
6th Place:     Constantine Maroulis
7th Place:     Anwar Robinson
8th Place:     Nadia Turner
9th Place:     Nikko Smith
10th Place:   Jessica Sierra
11th Place:   Mikalah Gordon
12th Place:   Lindsey Cardinale


American Idol Season 3

WINNER:      Fantasia Barrino
Runner-Up:  Diana DeGarmo
3rd Place:     Jasmine Trias
4th Place:     LaToya London
5th Place:     George Huff
6th Place:     John Stevens
7th Place:     Jennifer Hudson
8th Place:     Jon Peter Lewis
9th Place:     Camile Velasco
10th Place:   Amy Adams
11th Place:   Matthew Rogers
12th Place:   Leah LaBelle


American Idol Season 2

WINNER:      Ruben Studdard
Runner-Up:  Clay Aiken
3rd Place:     Kimberley Locke
4th Place:     Josh Gracin
5th Place:     Trenyce
6th Place:     Carmen Rasmusen
7th Place:     Kimberly Caldwell
8th Place:     Rickey Smith
9th Place:     Corey Clark (Disqualified)
10th Place:   Julia DeMato
11th Place:   Charles Grigsby
12th Place:   Vanessa Olivarez


American Idol Season 1

WINNER:      Kelly Clarkson
Runner-Up:  Justin Guarini
3rd Place:     Nikki McKibbin
4th Place:     Tamyra Gray
5th Place:     R.J. Helton
6th Place:     Christina Christian
7th Place:     Ryan Starr
8th Place:     A.J. Gil
9th Place:     Jim Verraros
10th Place:   EJay Day


- Don Williams, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of FOX)