Has the global phenomenon that is Pop Idol ruined pop music, or is it just the natural evolution of a genre of music that has always been manufactured? From Tin Pan Alley to The Monkees, Bay City Rollers, Spice Girls, and boy bands, Bubblegum showcases the rise of Pop Idol and its many predecessors, in the process creating a witty, thorough history of what is arguably the most popular musical genre ever. This colorfully illustrated look at pop's manufactured mega-brands includes original interviews with the movers and shakers of the pop world.