American Idol is: A) The most popular show on television; B) The means by which Fox became the No. 1 rated network on television; C) The launching pad for a select few musical talents who have gone on to win Grammys; D) All of the above.

You know the answer to this question. And while, despite all this, Simon Cowell will never be eligible for an Emmy, as the Times reports, the paper of record still does not treat the talent competition with much pedigree.

Discussing the growing influence of stores like Wal-Mart, which cut out the middlemen (record labels) to score exclusive distribution deals with artists, the Times refers to Carrie Underwood, who won the fourth season of Idol, has sold over 10 million records, and picked up three Grammy awards, in this way:

One of the biggest music events of the summer has already taken place in Fayetteville, Ark. From Tuesday through Thursday last week, the Bud Walton Arena at the University of Arkansas presented shows by Journey, the country singer Keith Urban, the “American Idol” personality Carrie Underwood and the alternative rock group All-American Rejects.