Brian Dunkleman has shared stories from his time co-hosting an early season of American Idol.

Brian, 52, co-hosted the first season of the singing competition series with Ryan Seacrest, 49.

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Former American Idol co-host Brian Dunkleman spoke out about his time on the showCredit: Getty

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He hosted the show with Ryan Seacrest for the very first season in 2002Credit: Getty

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By the time season two of the show came around, Brian quit the showCredit: Getty
He quit before they began filming the second season.

Brian was a recent guest on the Still Here Hollywood podcast with Steve Kmetko where he discussed his experiences on American Idol in the early 2000s.

He revealed what he witnessed during the audition process of the show.

“You’re spending a lot of time with these kids in the line, and you’re getting to know them, you’re getting to know their parents,” the comedian said.

“There was a stretch for an hour straight where kid after kid came, [and] every one of them was bawling. And I thought, ‘What is going on?'”

“At one point… I just went and found a corner behind the curtain. I just started crying.

“I don’t know why it affected me so much. Maybe because I’ve auditioned so many times.

“I know how it’s not easy. It’s not easy to put yourself out there.”

Brian then talked about how he witnessed a young girl who explained that her father sold his tools to get her to the audition.

However, when it was over, she walked out of the room with “dead eyes” and she was “shattered.”

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“I just didn’t understand why that was necessary,” Brian said. “But it was very, very cruel that first season,” he shared.

“And that’s kind of what made the show such a hit, was how mean [former judge Simon Cowell] was.”

Along with Simon Cowell, 64, Paula Abdul, 61, and Randy Jackson, 67, were also judges.

Brian reiterated that he didn’t want to “bad mouth” anyone working on the show, but wasn’t a fan of how it was operating.

You’re putting them in front of cameras, and I can hear them [go]. ‘Oh, this girl, she thinks she can actually sing. We’re gonna crush her.’ She’s 16.

Brian DunklemanStill Here Hollywood Podcast

“I don’t believe that you should set kids up to be humiliated like that.

“You’re putting them in front of cameras, and I can hear them [go]. ‘Oh, this girl, she thinks she can actually sing. We’re gonna crush her.’ She’s 16.”

Later on in the podcast, Brian spoke highly of the judges

He said that Simon was a “really nice guy” and had a “great sense of humor,” much like Paula and Randy.

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Brian recently appeared on the Still Here Hollywood podcast with Steve KmetkoCredit: Getty
“I just adore Paula,” Brian said. “Love Randy. Such a nice guy… That guy is exactly what you see. Just a really, really sweet guy.”

MORE ABOUT IDOL

People around the United States have watched American Idol since the early 2000s.

Past winners include Kelly Clarkson, 42, Carrie Underwood, 41, and Fantasia, 39, and Jordin Sparks, 34.

The show just finished up its 22nd season with Abi Carter taking home the Idol crown.

Over the years, the reality TV series has had a wide variety of A-list judges including Nicki Minaj, 41, Mariah Carey, 55, and Steven Tyler, 76.

The most recent celeb judges were Lionel Richie, 74, Katy Perry, 39, and Luke Bryan, 47.

Earlier this year, the Teenage Dream hitmaker revealed that she would not return to Idol Season 23.

Luke and Lionel are reportedly continuing on their duty as judges and the celeb to replace Katy has not been announced.

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He revealed that he wasn’t a fan of how the show was set-upCredit: Getty

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He talked about the audition process and how he ‘cried’ after watching young people get their hearts broken by then judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy JacksonCredit: Instagram/thebriandunkleman

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‘I don’t believe that you should set kids up to be humiliated like that,’ he saidCredit: Getty