ClayManiacs

Is American Idol Rigged? You Betcha!
by James Shepherd (2005/05/27)

Is the American Idol final outcome of the competition rigged? I believe it is, based upon a compilation of circumstantial evidence that is available for most people to check out themselves. If American Idol is not rigged, then we have a very strange series of coincidences. Let us look at the evidence.

The American Idol Contestant Compilation CDs

The American Idol Contestant Compilation CD (CCCD) for American Idol 1 was the only one produced and distributed after the competition ended. All the results were known, and this CD starts with a couple of cuts by Kelly Clarkson, and then followed by Justin Guarini, and Nikki, etc., until we come to the last individual competitor song on the CD by Jim Verraros who was the first one eliminated. The songs are ordered based upon the order of elimination. The significance of this one particular CCCD is the time frame it takes to produce and distribute a CD of this type - from master tape to being in the stores, approximately one month. Kelly Clarkson was announced as the winner of AI1 on September 4, 2002, and this CCCD was officially released on October 1, 2002.

However, the CCCD for AI2 was released long before the competition ended. It was released on April 29, 2003, which would have made the mastering of the CD around the beginning of April and probably just after the disqualification of Corey Clark (eliminated Apr. 1st) and that was why his cut does appear on the CD - it was just too late to take it off. Ruben Studdard was declared the winner of AI2 on May 21, 2003. But Ruben's cut is the first one on the CD, and yet this CD was "put to bed" more than 6 weeks before the finale. I guess this must have been some sort of coincidence, or perhaps just some good-guessing by someone, eh? And Clay Aiken, who came in second in the AI2 competition holds the second place for album cuts too - just more good guessing?

When we come to AI3, guess what, we have almost exactly the same scenario. Fantasia was declared the winner on May 26, 2004, and yet her cut on the AI3 CCCD is the first one also. Yet, the master tape for the CD was probably finalized at the beginning of April too since the album was released on April 27, 2004. More good guessing as to whom the winner was going to be?

Now coming to AI4, guess what the situation is. Yup, the winner's song, Carrie Underwood's, is the first one on the CD, and yet this album was probably put to bed in mid-April of 2005, since its release date was May 17th. In fact, the content of this CD was finalized probably before Constantine was eliminated (he was in the top 6), but we do have the final three on this CD in the order in which they came in the "competition": Carrie is first, Bo is second, and Vonzell is third - the exact ranking of these three in the competition. This is some incredible guessing by someone attached to the American Idol team. Could it be the AI producers?

In essence, for the last three American Idol "competitions," the first cut on the contestant compilation CD has been winner's. Yes, these albums were made long before the top 2 competitions were played out. If this happened just once - good guess. If it happened twice - oh, really good guessing. If it happened three times in a row, which it did - we move into the realm of good old fashion divine prophecy, or, more realistically - just good old fashion rigging.

I'm not a mathematician, but I would imagine that the probability of something like this happening three times in a row randomly is astronomical, even if we are talking about there being only two or three contestants from the start that had the potential of going all the way. It would seem to me that someone absolutely determined who was going to be the winning contestant weeks in advance for three years in a row. I wonder how that happened?

But there is more than just the above strange "coincidences."


The Independent Article That Never Was

Last weekend, Idol discussion boards on the Internet were buzzing with activity over an article published by the Online Edition of The Independent, a British newspaper owned by the same conglomerate that owns FOX TV. Jason Nisse wrote an article listing those British business people who have been named among the 25 Stars of Europe. Simon Fuller, the founder of 19E was among those named and this is what was written about Mr. Fuller: "... and Simon Fuller, the pop impresario whose American Idol TV competition was won this year by Carrie Underwood." (screen capture)

Since this article was dated May 22nd, three days before the alleged determination of the American Idol winner, this article contained a very strange turn of the phrase.

In two of the seasons ( 1 and 3), the winner was obvious all along and there wasn't a true competion in the end. Evidence of this fact is in the CD sales of Justin and Diana. Maybe they did choose Ruben and Carrie over Clay and Bo, but Clay and Bo will be just fine.

A source familiar with FCC policy told The Scoop that the agency will likely ignore the flap, explaining that the group is prone to “consider American Idol to be entertainment, like World Wide Wrestling, rather than a actual competition” such as a legitimate game show.

According to this article at MSNBC, the FCC will not investigate Idol because it considers it to be a reality show rather than a legitimate contest.



MSNBC (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7750895/)

Quote:
The Rigging of American Idol: More Evidence
by James Shepherd (2005/06/08)

This is a follow up to my previous article Is American Idol Rigged? You Betcha! There were some interesting responses and rebuttals with which I wish to address, and there were also some nasty nit-picking responses that are not worthy of addressing since these folk didn't even read the article, with some even proclaiming that they had not. I also have some additional evidence that I wanted to include, albeit circumstantial, as my deep-throat has not shown up yet... although it is possible he has come and gone.(snip)

Thanks Deanna

Credible Impossibilities and Incredible Probabilities

The facts are, for last three years in a row, the future title holder of American Idol has had their song on the contestant collection first; and yet, this primary placement of the winner's song was determined at least six weeks prior the final voting for the Top 2. This was the point that all the nasty nit-pickers missed.

According to the law of probability, the chances of something like this happening are quite slim, if truly the playing field was completely even for the six remaining competitors (1 chance in 216 to be exact). Of course we all know that there is no even playing field. However, no one six weeks in advance really knows for certain how the contestants are going to perform in the future, nor can anyone be certain as to how the American public is going to vote. For sure, the AI producers know how the voting patterns have been up to the mid-way point in each competition, but does this give them an absolute assurance as to how the competition is going to turn out at the end?

On American Idol 2, Ruben Studdard who did become the winner, stood on the chopping block for elimination with Trenyce. He was in the bottom two and allegedly had only the fourth highest vote. Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke and Josh Gracin received more votes than did Ruben. Do you remember that close one? How can it be said then that voting patterns early on can give anyone an absolute determination who the winner is going to be?

Do you remember American Idol 3? Fantasia, who did eventually win the competition, was in the bottom three when there were seven contestants left. So both Ruben and Fantasia were on the chopping blocks approximately mid-way in their competitions. Somehow I doubt very much that using the voting patterns during the competition are a good gauge in determining who the winner is going be six weeks down the road.  

HER BIG 'BREAKAWAY': A 15th week on top of Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart for "Breakaway" (Walt Disney/Hollywood) pushes Kelly Clarkson into third place among all solo female artists with the longest runs in pole position. Celine Dion leads the list with 21 weeks for "A New Day Has Come" and 19 weeks for "Because You Loved Me." Faith Hill is in second place with a 17-week reign for "Breathe."

"Breakaway," which is the title track of Clarkson's sophomore RCA album and appears on the soundtrack to "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement," isn't the biggest AC hit from a Walt Disney film yet, but it is in second place. Phil Collins" song from the "Tarzan" soundtrack, "You'll Be in My Heart," was No. 1 for 19 weeks in 1999.

"Breakaway" is the only song to advance to No. 1 on the AC chart in 2005. "Believe" by Josh Groban and Heaven" by Los Lobos both spent time at the top, but both had originally claimed the lead position in 2004.

HER 'DAY' HAS COME: Fourth season "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood's chart success continues to spread as she debuts on another Billboard chart. Her rendition of Martina McBride's "Independence Day" (Arista) enters the Pop 100 at No. 84. Just below her, at No. 87, "Idol" runner-up Bo Bice debuts with his cover of Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be" (RCA).

THE BICE IS RIGHT

Hi Fred,

I was a big Bo Bice fan during "American Idol" and would like to "register my vote" by downloading his single when it becomes available. How does Billboard go about creating the digital download chart? Are there specific services monitored?

Also, I understand his version of "Vehicle" will be the B-side of the single. How high would this version need to chart in order to surpass the original?

Thanks,

Jeff Thomas
Washington, D.C.

Dear Jeff,

Sales of paid digital downloads from all major sites are counted. It will be interesting to see how Bo's single of "Inside Your Heaven" charts, compared to the version recorded by Carrie Underwood. We could have a situation where the same song is No. 1 and No. 2 on the Hot 100.

The original version of "Vehicle" by Ides of March peaked at No. 2 in 1970. Of the group's five chart entries on the Hot 100, "Vehicle" was the only title to reach the top 40 portion of the chart.

Maybe someday we can gloat like Kelly's fans are getting to now when Clay releases his next new CD....one can dream, can't we??

"Idol" Gets Starstruck
Thursday June 23 3:56 PM ET

By Sarah Hall

Fox is rolling out the red carpet for an all-star spinoff of its top-rated reality show.

Instead of watching gifted nobodies battle for fame and glory on American Idol, fans of the talent search may soon be able to watch their favorite stars duke it out on the newly minted Celebrity Idol.

Producers FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment have given the thumbs-up to the project, which would be produced by the Idol team made up of Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe, Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Ken Warwick.

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Ten famous folk would make up the cast, pitting their vocal stylings against one another for a $1 million prize, which would go to the winner's charity of choice. As the series would be dealing with fragile celebrity egos, as opposed to the egos of the Average Joe or Jane, there would be no embarrassing auditions to determine who made the cut.

The show would reportedly be broadcast as a 10-episode miniseries of sorts over a two to three week period. Viewers would still vote by phone to determine which contestant would be eliminated and the results would be revealed on the next performance show.

Producers are working on attaching Idol judges Si


mon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, as well as host Ryan Seacrest, to the project.

Fox exec Mike Darnell told Daily Variety that the plan was "to go for the biggest talent possible," in terms of the celebrities who would make up the cast.

"We're looking for people who can sing but aren't known for singing," Darnell said.

Celebrity editions of reality shows have, in the past, found themselves reaching when it came to their "stars." (See: I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here.)

However, ABC's Dancing with the Stars, featuring such "celebs" as former Bachelorette Trista and heavyweight Evander Holyfield cutting a rug with (gasp!) ordinary dance instructors, has proved to be a huge hit for the network, proving that A-list talent isn't necessary to win ratings wars.

Fox isn't the only network to come up with the bright idea of showcasing the musical chops of celebrities not known for their singing skills.

Earlier this week, NBC announced its latest reality series, I'm a Celebrity But I Want To Be a Pop Star. The show will feature celebs from the worlds of film, television and sports doing their best imitations of rock stars for an audience who will determine their fates.

"Everyone secretly wants to get on stage and become a pop star--and celebrities are no different," NBC exec Craig Plestis said in a statement. "This new series will allow viewers to see who's really entitled to live out that dream."

Apparently, celebrities looking to expose their inner rock god will have plenty of options.

There's also a new Idol option for wannabes looking to show off their voices...but not on television.

FremantleMedia has given the go-ahead to a new Web-based service called American Idol Underground, which will give participants the chance to upload their vocals onto the Internet for a fee, where they'll be judged by listeners. The best tunes will go on to be judged by celebrity experts who will determine the winners.

Prizes won't be on the scale of the million-dollar recording contract earned by Idol winners, but participants can expect rewards such as added exposure for their music.

In other Idol news, Fox reportedly continues to investigate the claims of former contestant Corey Clark, who claimed to have had an affair with Abdul while competing on the show.

Though Clark had previously said he had no interest in assisting Fox in the network's probe, he recently began singing a different tune.

"It is painfully clear that unless my fellow AI season two contestants and I are directly involved with Fox executives during the investigation, we will never know if an investigation ever really took place," Clark said in a statement earlier this month. "With that said, I will not only fully comply with a Fox investigation of American Idol, but I will refrain from discussing my information concerning the questionable conduct with anyone except the officials handling the questioning once the investigation begins.

"I realize now that without my direct participation in a Fox probe, we will never find out what the fans, the sponsors, and the network deserve...the truth."

Meanwhile, a group of less irate ex-Idols are currently preparing for the Pop Tarts Present American Idols Live! tour, featuring the 10 finalists from season four, which kicks off July 12 in Sunrise, Florida, and will travel to 41 cities in all.

Newly crowned Idol Carrie Underwood has already met with success with 129,610 copies of her debut single, "Inside Your Heaven/Independence Day," sold, putting the Oklahoma native at the top of the charts.

Auditions for the fifth season of American Idol are taking place this summer in Austin, Memphis, Chicago, Atlanta, Denver and Boston.

Press Release Source: Niwot Data LLC


New Software to Simplify Voting on "American Idol"
Wednesday January 4, 8:00 am ET


NIWOT, CO--(MARKET WIRE)--Jan 4, 2006 -- When the 5th season of "American Idol" hits the airwaves, will it be harder for you to decide which contestant should get your nod in this vote-in Reality Show? Now you will be able to use new software to help you decide, and then even make the actual phone call(s) for you.

With the TalentVoter(TM) program, you will be able to score your opinions of the performers in up to six programmable characteristics, such as voice, looks, and performance quality. TalentVoter adds the results, showing you which performers scored highest, for the current and previous shows. You can even enable TalentVoter to vote for both! The program makes the calls at the same rate as a telephone, redialing automatically for as long as you specify; thus freeing you from continuously hitting the redial button.

Asked about the benefits of the program, the developer, Sam Northington, said, "One of the main benefits is that the user can score the performers in any area they wish, and get very sophisticated, by assigning weights to each characteristic, so that the total score reflects which characteristics are most important to them."

The program can even be used to maintain scoring for multiple shows, and comes preset with the numbers of several shows, such as "American Idol," "Nashville Star," and others. For shows where voting is not by telephone, or if users don't have a dialup Modem, the program is still useful to track preferences, and then vote manually.

Additionally, with the programmable voting traits, TalentVoter can track the complexities for other popular Reality Shows, such as "The Apprentice," and "Survivor," where voting is not part of the attraction.

The TalentVoter software works on any computer running Windows98 or newer, and can be shared by multiple people using the same computer, with each having their own set of stored results.

The program is available on CD, for immediate delivery, and can be ordered from http://www.talentvoter.com, for $24.95 +S&H.

TalentVoter™ is a Trademark of Niwot Data LLC

Windows98® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation

American Idol® is a registered trademark of 19TV Ltd. and FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

All Television show trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

Tampa, Florida -- A man has been arrested and charged with stalking a former contestant of the hit TV show "American Idol."

Fifty-nine-year-old Daniel Young is being held without bond, charged with stalking 20-year-old Jessica Sierra. Sierra, a Tampa native, appeared on the fourth season of American Idol in 2005.

Police say Young followed Sierra from California to Tennessee, and then finally to Tampa. He left her at least 38 voicemail messages, telling her that he loves her and is willing to go to jail for her.

Tampa Police officers booked Young into the Hillsborough County jail when he showed up at her grandmother's home on Tuesday.

Sierra has repeatedly asked the suspect to leave her alone and to stop calling her.

Young made his first court appearance Wednesday morning. The judge has currently refused to give him bond, because Young faces other charges in California.

A bond hearing is scheduled for Monday.

Life After Idol: Season 1 web activity
I think I'll try to do this exploration of which Idol finalists still seem to be pursuing active entertainment careers as a six-parter, starting with this post and continuing next week.

So first we'll look at, logically, Season 1, then get to the other seasons (plus the semi-finalists from this past season, since I have their names handy).

Interestingly, out of the 10 finalists that year (the number was bumped up to 12 in the second season), all but two seem to have something going on, if website activity is any gauge. I'll also include website links where appropriate, so if you're so minded, you can check up on what your favorite (or least favorite) past finalist is up to.

In order of finish:

1. Kelly Clarkson: As far as I can tell, she still seems to have a career going. Not to mention fan sites all over the place, and the official (http://www.kellyclarkson.com/index.php?) one.

2. Justin Guarini: Still fighting the good fight (http://justinguarini.com/), becoming more of an all-round entertainer, with a new standards album. Who knew? (OK, fans probably did, but maybe not the general public.)

3. Nikki McKibbin: Though less has been heard from her than Justin, she's also plugging away (http://nikkimckibbin.com/), and has new recordings of her own.

4. Tamyra Gray: I used to think she should have won Season 1, but in view of Kelly's subsequent development, maybe that's wrong. Still should have been No. 2 easy, though. A new album's apparently in the works, but her website (http://tamyra-gray.com/frames.php) hasn't been updated for several months.

5. RJ Helton: Does he have something against periods? He has had Christian recordings out, and even served as a guest judge for USA TODAY's past Idol coverage, but I don't see an official site and the fan sites seems to be pretty dormant.

6. Christina Christian: No easily visible activity.

7. Ryan Starr: Well, there appears to be a recent record, and there's a bio (http://ryanstarr.us/home.html) that positions her as a dedicated rocker chick (but has no mention of Idol whatsoever). Ryan, don't be ashamed of your roots!

8. A.J. Gil: There's a teaser about an upcoming record deal and a movie on his official site (http://ajgil.com/), but it's hard to get any sense of when all this is happening (or going to happen). I'm impressed that he has an official site, though.

9. EJay Day: Also apparently averse to periods. Nothing much going on, apparently.

10. Jim Verraros: Man, for a first-round elimination, he's got plenty (http://jimverraros.com/) going on -- recent album, TV, press, film. A veritable renaissance entertainer.

Life after Idol: Season 2 web activity
Glad you mostly seemed to like the general idea and the first installment of the "whatever happened to" -- at least as far as we can determine on the Web -- series on past Idol finalists. Also, thanks for the updates you supplied (the A.J./EJay duet -- I hope the initial reviews were good; OK, bad joke -- and the Christina Christian settling-down info). Season 2 installment follows on this post.

Please don't regard this as the last word in Idol updates, but as more of an enlightening/amusing project. And regarding the comment about whether I expect to get this much mileage out of Rockstar, let me state right now that I have no intention of giving Rockstar the Idol Chatter treatment. (Might mention it now and then, though -- and whatever did happen to Mig?)

Again, in order of finish, your Season 2 finalists:

Ruben Studdard: Nice glitzy site (http://rubenstuddard.com/), but it's musty with inattention. Kind of like Ruben's career of late, sadly. I'm sure we'll hear from him again, but I'm not forecasting enduring stardom.

Clay Aiken: Unlike this fella. He's got it all (http://clayaiken.com/html/news.php): a new album later this year, TV appearances, loads of souvenir merchandise (http://cliquemerch.sparkart.com/clayonline/category.php?merchcat_id=1465) (the thong and Christmas tree boxers are quite fetching) and a fan base that won't quit (even when sometimes you might want them to -- kidding, sort of).

Kimberley Locke: She was one of two Idols from Season 2 to have a hit outside the BMG/19 empire; 8th World Wonder got about halfway up the mainstream pop top 40 airplay chart. She's still active (http://kimberleylockeweb.com/); new album and single coming.

Josh Gracin: The other runner-up hitmaker, he's been a consistent presence on the country charts, foreshadowing the emergence of Carrie Underwood. Not a ton of fresh news (http://joshgracin.com/), but he was at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville this past weekend.

Trenyce: The original one-name Idol finalist (born Lashundra Treniese Cobbins, according to her bio) seems to be in an inactive phase. Her site (http://trenyceonline.com/) is light on updates, and promises an CD "masterpiece" that, to my and Amazon's knowledge, has not yet materialized.

Carmen Rasmusen: Concisely if a bit harshly describable as the country Idol forgotten between Josh and Carrie, Carmen is giving her all to her ertainment career (http://carmenrasmusen.com/index.phpent), with an EP out and an album completed (though not yet released). Unfortunately, that entertainment career also includes an appearance on Fear Factor, the final resting place of all reality stars trying to carve out real careers. Watch for it Tuesday if you're so inclined.

Kimberly Caldwell: Always struck me as a pageant professional, and a particularly determined one at that. A recent letter to her fans (http://www.kimberly-caldwell.com/) describes the wide range of her showbiz activities, including TV work (mostly TV Guide Channel's Idol Tonight), the Girls Rock Fashion Show and a recent Southern California concert with Ace and Ruben. She's been working on an album that she has now decided will reflect her roots, which are, we are told, country-rock.

Rickey Smith: At times he seemed like a decent singer, but there was something intangibly unhinged about him, to my admittedly subjective mind. Anyway, no significant activity visible.

Corey Clark: Eliminated not by virtue of his singing gaffes but because of misdemeanor assault charges, Corey then made headlines more inventively than any other Idol to date, by trumpeting his alleged affair with Paula. Related song Paulatics and recent album and book (!) have not flourished greatly from the exposure, and his site (http://coreyclark.com/) seems a trifle dormant.

The first three eliminated -- Julia DeMato, Charles Grigsby and Vanessa Olivarez -- all seem to have receded from view.

Life After Idol: Season 3 activity
Here we go wih the web-activity update on Season 3's finalists. As you would expect, with only two years having elapsed since the spotlight focused on them, most are persevering in their attempts to reclaim a portion of that Idol glare.

Thanks again for further updates on the Season 2 finalists that I didn't find in my web sweep. Good to know that Julia DeMato is married and has a kid.

Anyway, the third-season roundup follows.

1. Fantasia: I guess she had to retain her last name (Barrino) for her site (http://fantasiabarrinoofficial.com/host.htm) or risk attracting hordes of web surfers looking for info on the Disney cartoon. In addition to that official site, there are plenty of fan sites, as befits an Idol winner who's had a solid success of hits, although most of them were on the Adult R&B chart, which is not one of the industry's more powerful and influential formats. And with autobiography out and Lifetime movie coming (plus a second album one of these days), she'll be around for a while.

2. Diana DeGarmo: April '05 is the date of the last addition to the Season 3 runner-up's web home (http://dianadegarmo.com/), with a notation on my browser that it's "under construction." Her management team might want to consider speeding up the construction schedule. Meanwhile, she recently left her Broadway Hairspray role (temporarily; she returns in September) to go on the road with a production of the musical Brooklyn. And, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post in Georgia, she's already off the RCA label and will be releasing her next album (pop, with an R&B influence, apparently) independently. Uh-oh.

3. Jasmine Trias: The Hawaiian overachiever, who finished ahead of at least three superior singers (Nos. 4, 5 and 7 below) in a bad season overall, seems to be stuck in mid-2005 webwise (http://www.jasminetrias.net/). There's discussion of a role in a movie called All Girl Band that doesn't seem to have made any discernible progress, and a description of her now-released self-titled album that cites its "edgier, rhythm and blues-based" sound. The album promises to "soothe(s) her listeners into forgetting about the hustle surrounding their busy lives from the moment they hear her soulfully comforting voice." Which really doesn't sound all that edgy.

4. La Toya London: One of the few Idols to release an album outside the Clive Davis empire but still on a nationally influential label (Concord), La Toya is doing a bit of acting (http://latoyalondon.com/sites/ll/news.html) and has had at least three singles released off her debut album, released last year. But so far her career arc sort of resembles a less successful Fantasia, with most of the attention at the adult R&B format and not a lot of general crossover. (Too bad, if you ask me -- most of the time I preferred her to Fantasia, although I will admit Fantasia probably has more raw talent.)

5. George Huff: Just recently mentioned his new coaching role on Gospel Dream, the Gospel Music Channel's version of Idol. Otherwise (http://www.georgehuffworld.com/), he's got his gospel album, gospel single, a string of live dates, and all in all seems to be doing quite nicely.

6. John Stevens: The teen crooner has a record-label site (http://rhttp://www.maverick.com/johnstevens/) hovering in cyberspace, built around his 2005 album, Red, but the news flow has ground to a halt, leading me to suspect he may be moving on to new ventures. Perhaps now he can achieve that goal of attending the music school Berklee.

7. Jennifer Hudson: Certainly her starring role with Beyonce in the upcoming Dreamgirls movie is the biggest break any Idol finalist who finished out of the top half has ever snagged. (It's right up there with any Idol's entertainment achievements. Her site (http://jenniferhudson.net/main.html) is not terribly forthcoming about anything new (the Dreamgirls news is treated as a newsflash months later and there's precious little other news), but there are a few songs to download.

8. Jon Peter Lewis: People either loved him or loathed him for his hyperactivity, but he's in L.A. working it (http://jplewismusic.com/), with radio, TV, magazine and live appearances and a new EP about ready. Sometimes persistence pays.

9. Camile Velasco: The less successful of the two Hawaiian Season 3 finalists, Camile is still out there (http://camilevelasco.org/), doing a few dates in Hawaii and touring in Hawaii and California with a Filipino band called Aegis.

10. Amy Adams: Doesn't seem to be anything going on with Amy these days.

11. Matthew Rogers: Notable more for his geniality and Rose Bowl appearance than any detectable musical talent, Matt has a brand-new son (as of mid-April), according to his "Official Websit. (http://mattrogers.org/)" He's done a bit of TV, although a role in The Longest Yard seems to have hit the cutting-room floor, if IMDB's exhaustive cast listing is any indication.

12. Leah LaBelle: The first singer eliminated in Season 3 had an interesting back (http://mirror.lafans.org/leahmain.html) story, having been born Leah LaBelle Vladowsky to members of two Bulgarian pop groups, Tonica and Sreburnite Grivni (the Silver Bracelets) who moved to the USA. Not much new information, though some fan fiction may compensate (to some).

Life after Idol: Season 4 activity
OK, we're up to last year, Season 4, in this voluminous retrospective, so most of these people will be fresher in most of our minds than, say, EJay Day.

1. Carrie Underwood: A huge success for the Idol franchise, with multiplatinum sales and still in the top 10, with new single Don't Forget to Remember Me, at No. 8 on the country airplay chart, sure to propel more sales. And she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in mass communications. She'll be taking over the world next (and who's to say it wouldn't be a better place?)

The rest of the list follows.

2. Bo Bice: The Clive machine managed, after much effort, to propel the single The Real Thing into the lower reaches of the top 20 of mainstream top 40 radio's airplay chart (the Billboard Radio Monitor version). The album, although it has sold a healthy 632,000 since its December release, is completely off the charts, which is not a good sign when you have a current hit single. But he's doing some touring,and his site is upbeat.

3. Vonzell Solomon: She was responsible for some good moments last season, and deserved her third-place ranking (although I still might have opted for Nadia Turner). But she doesn't seem to be taking the high-profile career path at the moment, recording a new album on an indie label (Melodic Records) for summer release and appearing in a still-in-production movie called Still Green. Hope not, but obscurity may be beckoning.

4. Anthony Federov: Surprising (that's one word for it) fourth-place finisher's official site is "coming soon," and fan sites are sketchy on current activities, but it seems he will join the ranks of former Idols on Fear Factor this month. That's nice.

5. Scott Savol: Appeared at the recent Reality TV Convention in Nashville second-billed to 10th-place finisher Jessica Sierra. Still, he did get to sing the national anthem at the Cleveland Indians' opening day game. His official site is under development, but does feature a fairly scary picture of the man who calls himself "Big Sexy."

6. Constantine Maroulis: The "other" rocker on Season 4 had an album out with his band Pray for the Soul of Betty, who are now no more, although Constantine has a solo album planned for later this year. An official website is reportedly on the way, but you can find some news here.

7. Anwar Robinson: The music teacher who many thought should have hit the top three or four has a couple fan sites still going, but not much news to be found.

8. Nadia Turner: My early favorite of Season 4 is apparently recording a new album, and has been singing with a Christian band called Tool Box, and seems to be otherwise spending her time attending official functions and parties.

9. Nikko Smith: The son of Hall of Fame Cardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith made it into the finals when Mario Vasquez withdrew, and proved he deserved his shot, getting up to ninth place. But since then, nothing much seems to be going on.

10. Jessica Sierra: Much has been written here about her (the Reality TV convention, her perhaps overly optimistic assessment of her career). On the show, she was sheerly lightweight, but she seems to want to make it in showbiz, running the gauntlet of activities, including, of course, recording an album.

11. Mikalah Gordon: I don't know if any finalist has provoked the visceral negative reaction her baby Babs/Fran Drescher-lite persona did for me. But that aside, she's doing some TV here and there, has some fan sites out there, and, well, that's about it. I'm sure a more dedicated researcher could unearth more. But I must confess, on this subject, that ain't me.

12. Lindsey Cardinale: Opening act for the big Reality TV Convention Idol package, but that's not the only string on her bow. The country-rock-oriented first finalist out has a recently constructed site with a song to listen to and a bio listing recent musical activities, plus fun facts (including her ability to play guitar, piano, drums and -- soon, we're told -- fiddle, and her role as spokesperson for the Bill Hood Automotive Family of Hammond, La.).

> Special bonus data ... because you asked. Mario Vasquez was the Season 4 finalist who quit. (Still not sure why, something about being on a previously released album -- although other finalists, including Vonzell and Constantine, had previously released albums. Here's the always-entertaining Roger Friedman take on that from a year ago.) But he may be in better career shape than many of the other finalists. He's got an album coming out (on Arista, part of the Clive empire) Aug. 29, with a single already out, and some tour activity going on.

Life after Idol: Season 5 activity
OK, we finally reach the end of this epic production. Again, your feedback and amplification (sounds like a guitar solo) has been indispensable ... and entertaining. (The comments in general have been fun, from the "thud" series of Taylor lust notes to the great line about Melissa the Mermaid -- "when you lose AI, you're all washed up." I'd read this blog even if I wasn't "supervising" it.)

So the only finalists we have left are this year's, and many of their activities have already been discussed here (and the top 10, as we know, will be touring shortly). But let's see what else we can turn up. And, since Idols and National Anthem performances seem to go together like Randy Jackson and Oreos, we'll report on Anthem status for each finalist.

1. Taylor Hicks: Hmm, has anybody heard from him? People's ruling bachelor, Ford's latest spokesinger, new single out this week (next Wednesday, the official sales figures will be out, so we'll talk about how well it does compared to other Idol souvenir singles). About the only thing he doesn't have going for him is his official website, taylorhicks.com, which is currently offline. Anthem status: Once sang it at an Auburn basketball game.

2. Katharine McPhee: Also not succeeding at keeping a low profile, what with record deal, first single coming, appearances with Andrea Bocelli, chats with Steven Spielberg, pix of boyfriend, etc. Plenty of gushing fan sites too. Anthem status: Sang it at the christening ceremony of the Princess Cruises ship Crown Princess in New York.

3. Elliott Yamin: Waiting for that record deal announcement that is sure to come, but still dear to the hearts of his dedicated fans (many of whom have sites). Anthem status: His NBA finals National Anthem performance drew mixed reviews on this blog and elsewhere.

4. Chris Daughtry: Also expected to reap a high-profile record deal after turning down a chance to become a Fuel injection device. He'll do better on his own, though I'm still curious to see how rock radio accepts him when it gets the chance. Plenty of fan-site activity, including one that offers bracelets that say "Daughtry Nation." (No link; can't endorse such commercial frippery.) Anthem status: Reportedly asked to sing the Anthem at a NASCAR race (totally unconfirmed fan query).

5. Paris Bennett: After the first four, the profiles are markedly lower. Paris showed up at her old high school. Anthem status: Sang it at the June 1 Detroit/Miami NBA playoff game.

6. Kellie Pickler: Aside from Constantine Maroulis-dating rumors, not a lot going on (no sitcom yet, mercifully). Plenty of fan sites, though. Anthem status: The only contestant to perform the National Anthem as a rebellious act.

7. Ace Young: Made it, along with Taylor and Ryan Seacrest, on the People eligible bachelor list. Looks may carry him where his voice couldn't. Anthem status: Sang it at Denver Nuggets games.

8. Bucky Covington: Not much to learn, other than he snores a lot, according to Chris. Hopes to make it in Nashville. Anthem status: Non-anthemic.

9. Mandisa: Her site has been "temporarily shut down." Apparently, so has her newsmaking ability. This may be by design. Anthem status: Well, I'm Every Woman is kind of an anthem...

10. Lisa Tucker: Following that memorable blink-length cameo in The OC, she's mostly dropped out of sight. Even her natural domain name (lisatucker.com) was pre-empted by an author with the same name. Anthem status: Sang it at the (hometown) West Anaheim Neighborhood Development Council barbecue.

11. Kevin Covais: The Long Island teen doesn't seem to have a lot going on, except National Anthem activities. He's making a claim to be the Anthem king. Anthem status: Last Sunday Kevin made one anthem date, at the Massepequa, N.Y., Lacrosse Club. And he's got even more in the offing.

12. Melissa McGhee: Her Mermaid status is unchallenged among Idols, and she continues to perform. She has a fan site for "McGheeks" (maybe reconsider that term?) as well. Anthem status: Unless she got to sing it during the non-aquatic portion of her performance at the mermaid venue, nothing visible.

AI1:
Kelly (RCA)
Justin (Dropped by RCA, Bmg Special Prod)
Tamyra Gray (dropped by J Records, Released an album with 19 Records)
RJ Helton (Gospocentric-- Christian)
Jim Verraros (Koch)
Nikki McGibbon (Chena)
Christina Christian (19 Records)

AI2:
Clay Aiken (RCA)
Ruben Studdard (J Records)
Kimberley Locke (Curb)
Josh Gracin (Lyric Street)
Carmen Rasmussen (R3 Rcecords)
Corey Clark (Bungalo Records)

AI3:
Fantasia (J Records)
Diana DiGarmo (dropped by RCA)
John Stevens (dropped by Maverick)
LaToya London (Peak Records)
George Huff (Word Entertainment)
Jasmine Trias (Mountain Apple)
Camile Velasco (dropped by MoTown)

AI4:
Carrie Underwood (Arista)
Bo Bice (RCA)

Mario Vazquez* (J Records)

* Did not complete the AI Season

AI5:
Taylor Hicks (Arista)
Katherine McPhee (RCA)
Chris Daughtry (RCA)

'American Idol' Fans Deliver World Record-Breaking Vote and Overwhelming Public Donations for 'Idol Gives Back' Charity Telecasts on April 24 and April 25
?? Telescope and FOX Announce New World Record for Television Telephone Vote; More Than 70 Million Toll-Free and Text Votes Cast, and More Than $60 Million Raised to Date
By BusinessWire
LOS ANGELES, BUSINESS WIRE -- Telescope, the leader in participation media solutions, today announced a world record-setting event for television telephone voting for AMERICAN IDOL's 'Idol Gives Back' two-night special charity telecast on FOX April 24th and 25th. The April 24th performance telecast included more than 70 million toll-free and AT&T SMS votes cast for the six remaining 'Idol' performers. The previous world record was for the season 3 finale, which garnered 65.4 million votes cast for the 'Idol' finalists, meaning that AMERICAN IDOL smashed its own previous record by almost 5 million votes. The show also accumulated more than $60 million in donations from both corporate sponsors and viewers.

On Wednesday night, for the two-hour results show spectacular, more than 13,000 live call-center agents, across 31 separate call centers, were involved in 'Idol Gives Back' and a mass scale online donation system was set in place for the event. Telescope managed the sourcing and implementation of the technology systems required to process the donations from members of the public for the show, commencing the build-out in late-February with FOX and 'Idol' producing partners FremantleMedia North America, 19 Entertainment, as well as Charity Projects Entertainment Fund.

More than 30 million viewers tune in to AMERICAN IDOL each week to vote for their favorite contestants by dialing into the toll-free telephone numbers or texting in on their AT&T phones. Working with the show since its programming debut in 2002, Telescope has successfully managed 'Idol' voting for six straight seasons. Last season, Telescope announced nearly 580 million combined toll-free telephone and mobile text votes.

"With the new world record-breaking vote volume and incredible generosity of the donating American public for 'Idol Gives Back,' participation media has come of age. 'Idol Gives Back' engaged the television audience beyond our most optimistic expectations," said Sandy Bennett, general manager of Telescope. "We, at Telescope, have worked for six seasons to ensure that the AMERICAN IDOL voting systems are capable of achieving mass scale while maintaining accuracy and integrity, and 'Idol Gives Back' demonstrates clearly the improvements and developments that we and our technology partners have put in place to extend the interactive capabilities for the FOX television audience."

Ellen DeGeneres hosted the show's live companion event via satellite from downtown Los Angeles' Walt Disney Concert Hall. The star-studded evening saw appearances and performances from stars ranging from Earth Wind & Fire and Il Divo to Kellie Clarkson, Celine Dion, Rascall Flats, Annie Lennox, Seal and Bono.

The more than 70 million calls and text messages that came in for 'Idol Gives Back' will be added to next Tuesday's tallies, said host Ryan Seacrest. Melinda Doolittle, LaKisha Jones, Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson, Jordin Sparks and Phil Stacey all return for the May 2nd telecast.

Telescope will keep donation lines open until the end of May.

About FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is a division of global media giant FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA currently produces some of the most innovative and highest-rated entertainment on television, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon "American Idol" for Fox, "America's Got Talent" and "Thank God You're Here" for NBC, "American Inventor" for ABC, "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency" for Oxygen, "Property Ladder" for TLC, "Monarch Cove" for Lifetime, the daily syndicated "Family Feud", and the longest-running game show in television history, "The Price Is Right" for CBS.

FremantleMedia is the production arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company. With interests in 34 television channels and 30 radio stations in 11 countries, RTL Group is a division of leading integrated media and entertainment company, Bertelsmann AG.

For further information, visit http://www.fremantlemedia.com.

About 19 Entertainment

19 Entertainment, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (Nasdaq: CKXE - News), was founded by Simon Fuller 21 years ago and acquired by CKX in March 2005. The company is recognized as a leading creator, provider and promoter of globally successful, music-based entertainment, or "Entertainment Brands." Simon Fuller, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment, is the creator of AMERICAN IDOL in the United States, "Pop Idol" in the UK, as well as versions of the IDOL format in more than 30 countries around the world. Fuller is also the co-creator of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, which aired in the U.S. on FOX during summer 2005 and was the top-rated television show in its time slot. Fuller has made music history in the UK and the U.S.A., producing a stream of No. 1 hits and managing multi-platinum-selling acts. Fuller recently became the world's most successful manager -- breaking a record set by the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein in the 1960s -- when three of his artists occupied the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 positions on the U.S. single chart as well as the No. 1 position on the album chart. 19 Entertainment has been involved in the creation of 109 No. 1 singles and 87 No. 1 albums in the UK alone, with an impressive tally of 296 Top-40 albums and 465 Top-40 singles.

About Telescope Inc.

Telescope provides toll-free, wireless and Internet-based interactivity solutions, including mass-scale television voting applications, SMS-based marketing and content programs, and mobile game and application development for media and corporate clients. Telescope is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with offices in New York and London. Visit us at www.telescope.tv.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like a color photograph of 'AMERICAN IDOL's 'Idol Gives Back' telecast, or a headshot of Sandy Bennett, general manager of Telescope, please contact Chris Pfaff on +1-201-218-0262 or c.pfaff@att.net

Contacts:
For Telescope: Chris Pfaff Tech/Media LLC Chris Pfaff,
201-218-0262 c.pfaff@att.net

Copyright Business Wire 2007. All Rights Reserved

ITunes to Carry `American Idol' Songs


CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — "American Idol" fans will be able to download their favorite performances thanks to a new agreement between the Fox talent show and Apple Inc.

Performances by "Idol" semifinalists go on sale on iTunes this week for 99 cents per song, the show's producers and Cupertino-based Apple announced Monday.

Full video of the top 12 contestants will be available through the online music store starting March 11 for $1.99.

The songs and videos will be posted to iTunes the day after the show airs.

Fox is owned by News Corp.

On the Net:

    * Fox: http://www.americanidol.com/
    * Apple: http://www.apple.com

Abdul Set for `Today' Concert Series
March 26, 2008, 1:28 PM EST

Paula Abdul and Miley Cyrus are among the stars who will headline the "Today" show's 13th annual concert series.

Abdul will kick off the series on the plaza outside the "Today" studio April 25, NBC announced Wednesday.

She recently debuted her first new song in a decade, "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," produced by fellow "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson.

Cyrus is set to perform July 25.

Other headliners include Ashlee Simpson, Rascal Flatts, Natasha Bedingfield, Neil Diamond, Mary J. Blige, Alanis Morissette, the B-52s, Donna Summer, Chris Brown, Kenny Chesney, Rihanna and Coldplay.

Sheryl Crow will take the stage Aug. 1.

NBC said it will announce additional acts in the coming months.

———

NBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032633/ (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032633/)

Ominous signs for 'American Idol'

Fox's longtime ratings juggernaut is beginning to look vulnerable in Season 7.
By Scott Collins, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
April 21, 2008

MAYBE it's not as shocking as, say, Aussie heartthrob Michael Johns getting voted off the show.

But the news still surprises: "American Idol's" ratings are down. Way down, among some viewers.

Could it be that the singing smash, which has entirely reshaped television over the past seven seasons, is finally proving mortal? And if so, what will that mean for Fox, the rest of the TV industry and Ryan Seacrest's career?

Some of the above are worth contemplating.

At first glance, the erosion doesn't seem so bad. "Idol" has slipped 7% in average total viewers (to 29.2 million, as of last week) compared with last season, according to figures from Nielsen Media Research.

"This show has defied the odds," Fox scheduling chief Preston Beckman told me Friday. " 'American Idol' has held up better than any other show, scripted or unscripted, on television."

And yet . . . this season the show has shed nearly one-fifth of women viewers ages 18 to 34 -- one of its most important constituencies -- and is down a comparable amount among kids 2 to 11. That's a bad sign, because children and young adults are generally the first to bail on a show that's getting crow's feet.

And the pace of the falloff may be quickening. Last week's performance show, featuring the songs of Mariah Carey, one of the most successful pop singers in history, was the lowest-rated Tuesday "Idol" in five years among TV's most important demographic, adults ages 18 to 49. The subsequent results show, in which country warbler Kristy Lee Cook got the hook, delivered "Idol's" worst Wednesday numbers among adults ages 18 to 34 since its first season back in summer 2002.

Producers also saw depressed ratings for their "Idol Gives Back" charity extravaganza, which this year aired as a stand-alone show with no competition-related material.

So, there you have the Nielsen bullet points. But what does it all mean? Is it a temporary speed bump for "Idol," or is the show headed for a long stretch of bad road? And if it's the latter, toward what does a decline for "Idol," TV's No. 1 show, point for future TV programming and scheduling?

The first thing to remember, of course, is that "Idol's" ratings are still huge, even if they were huger in years past. The April 8 telecast easily grabbed the crown as the week's No. 1 telecast, with 24.7 million viewers. Although CBS beat the drums hard for the post-strike return of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," the forensics drama had to settle for a second-place tie with the "Idol" results show (20.1 million). It goes without saying -- well, rival executives will certainly say it, just not on the record -- that other networks would be quite happy to have a No. 1 show with these kinds of problems.

Fox executives, for their part, are quick to point out that all of network TV has suffered in this strike-plagued season. And that's true: All five broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and the CW) have collectively dipped 10% among adults 18 to 49 this season.

Now, although you could make the argument -- as this column did awhile back -- that the effect of the writers strike should have created more opportunities for "Idol," Fox's Beckman took the opposite view. Rival networks threw so many strike-inspired reality programs on the air, he said, that "the number of unscripted shows that went against 'American Idol' was double what they were last year."

The more fundamental problem, though, is probably show fatigue. The conventional wisdom among TV producers and their accountants is that hit shows, no matter how popular, usually start delivering diminished ratings somewhere from Season 5 to Season 7. Seen that way, "Idol's" apparent decline is adhering to form. Some fans are seeing the program as less essential than it was a year or two ago. How many times can Americans see Seacrest insult Simon Cowell, and vice versa, before they say, "Enough already"?

"It would be great if the ratings could stay in the high 20s or low 30s," said executive producer Ken Warwick, referring to "Idol's" customary viewership in the tens of millions. "But everything has a sell-by date. Everything."

Warwick scoffed at Cowell's notion, quoted in a recent Variety interview, that the show was suffering this year because the contestants lack "personality" and are making "safe" song choices.

That's not to say, though, that Fox and the producers aren't going to huddle at the end of the season and talk about making some changes. The network carefully weighs research on audience reactions to "Idol," Beckman said. This season, executives noticed that the ratings dipped a bit during the audition phase, rebounded during the Hollywood rounds and then dropped to last week's lows.

"We have to think about how it's presented," Beckman said of "Idol," although he declined to speculate what sorts of changes might be in the offing: "These are questions you naturally ask when a show is in its seventh year."

How the rest of television will respond to more earthbound "Idol" numbers is harder to parse.

Even though it airs for just four months every year, "Idol" has redefined network TV. During an era of ebbing viewership, the show has proven that television, with the right program, can still regularly draw by far the biggest crowds in media. "Idol," in fact, is an industry unto itself. It's made Fox the No. 1 network in prime time, helped turn shows such as "24" and "House" into major hits and cast its thunderous marketing and merchandising power into nooks of the economy far beyond the long-suffering music business.

It also gives rival execs headaches and heartache. Since "Idol" became a regular-season fixture in 2003, other networks have found it virtually impossible to launch competing programs on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

So, in theory at least, a descent for "Idol" would open up more opportunities for rival networks. They actually would be able to counter-program midweek again. Execs would be able to promote shows airing on other nights -- and people might actually see the promotions.

But don't carry such assumptions too far. Many viewers who show up to "Idol" are addicted to that particular show. If they tire of it, they won't necessarily watch something else. They may head over to YouTube or Facebook, or simply spend time with friends. Then, too, remember that rival networks found their ratings falling even before the strike last fall -- when "Idol" wasn't even on.

In any case, it was probably CBS boss Leslie Moonves who paid "Idol" the ultimate compliment at a media conference last month: "If someone would kill that show," the self-styled godfather of the TV industry said, "I'd really appreciate it."

Moonves' wish will ultimately be granted, of course, not by an anonymous hit man but rather by the viewing public. That seems especially clear given this season's results.

The only unknown, really, is how quickly the end will come.

Channel Island runs every Monday in Calendar. Contact Scott Collins at scott.collins@latimes.com

'Idol' Singer a Ringer? Album Already Out

How much of a ringer is "American Idol" contestant David Cook? His self-released album, "David Cook," is on the charts and the current season isn’t even over.

Cook’s 2006 CD, “Analog Heart,” was the No. 1 downloaded album all weekend on Amazon’s MP3 service. It even beat Mariah Carey’s "E=MC2."

Back when Cook auditioned in Omaha for "American Idol," he was identified as a bartender who happened to be a friend of Chris Daughtry, a now wildly successful post-"Idol" graduate.

It sure didn’t seem like Cook had a big career already — albeit regionally. He’d already appeared on a couple albums with a local group, and there was some vague mention of a solo album that he’d made himself.

But if "Analog Heart" is now being offered officially to proper downloading services — and not on just mysterious indie platforms — then Cook has to be behind it. That’s a first: an album out from an "Idol" contestant before the contest has concluded. What if he doesn’t win?

More importantly, what happened to "American Idol" simply being a competition for totally unknown or undiscovered artists? What fueled the fantasy for the audience was the concept that anyone — the waitress down the street who had a nice voice — could suddenly become a superstar. It was one thing when Carly Smithson (nee Hennessey) was revealed to have released an album five years ago. But for Cook to have one out now, I think, disqualifies him as a true competitor.

And P.S.: Isn’t this some strange way to get around the "American Idol" contract for management and a recording contract? In the past, "Idol" contestants had to agree to be managed by 19 Entertainment and give BMG first right of refusal for their albums. But a digitally available album made before the show and released before the winner is known? Hmmm…Seems like that bartender from Omaha was smarter even than wily Simon Cowell.

Seacrest’s ‘Idol’ future may not be so secure
A market research put a lot of focus on Ryan Seacrest, leading some to wonder if the “American
By Courtney Hazlett
The Scoop
updated 11:11 p.m. ET, Mon., April. 28, 2008

It’s no secret that “American Idol” ratings have taken a turn for the worse this year, so it stands to reason that Fox would start wondering aloud about what can be done to reverse momentum.

An online market research survey was issued last week and, while the suits behind the show probe every aspect of the broadcast, there is a noticeable focus on “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest.

While all of the main players were included in the question, “How important are each of the following people to your overall enjoyment of ‘American Idol’?” the survey asks participants to weigh in on two extra statements: “I like the interaction between Ryan and the contestants” and  “I like the interaction between the judges and Ryan.”
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The extra focus has some wondering whether a hosting change might be exactly what the show needs. “Ryan is so busy turning himself into a diverse brand, one that has longevity, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to think that he isn’t worried about his job security with ‘Idol,’” said a source close to Seacrest.

Reps for the “Idol” host didn’t comment as to whether Seacrest had been approached at all about a changing role on the show, but one “Idol” source did explain the questions, saying that they “fall under the leave-no-stone-unturned category more than anything else.”

Worcester piano man shares keys to ‘Idol’ singers’ success
By Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - Updated 1h ago

Another contestant will get booted off “American Idol” tonight, but according to associate musical director Michael Orland, it doesn’t really matter.

“I used to get really, really devastated over who got kicked off the show,” said Orland, a Worcester homey who has been with the Fox mega-hit since the end of season one.

“But after Clay Aiken in season two, it turned out that you didn’t have to win to have a career. Jennifer Hudson was the best example of that. She was voted off sixth from the end and she won an Oscar. Chris Daughtry was fourth from the end. It’s feasible that every single one of the top 12 this year could have a recording career. So I stopped getting emotionally attached to where everyone finishes.”

Orland, who grew up in Worcester and got his musical start taking piano lessons from “Mrs. Siegel down the street” is the man at the piano during the “Idol” rehearsals and celebrity mentoring sessions. He plays for the contestants, does the musical arrangements - and so much more.

“I’m a part-time coach, part-time therapist, friend, everything. Whatever it takes to make the contestants as great as they can be,” Orland told the Track.

A former rehearsal pianist for Barry Manilow, Orland got the call to “Idol” in the first season after some of his Manilow colleagues were hired for the then-unknown reality program. After initially turning the gig down because he had promised “Golden Girl” Estelle Getty he’d come to her house on the same night, Orland got called to play for the finale of the first season - and has been there ever since.

But don’t try to make him pick an all-time favorite contestant.

“I couldn’t name one,” he said. “Although my favorite, growth-wise, was Kimberly Locke. She learned and grew so much during her four months on that show.”

As for the current crop of Idol wannabes, Orland says he has no idea who will be the last man - or woman - standing.

“I love every single one of these contestants,” he said. “It’s like asking a father which one of his kids he likes the best.”

Orland said he’s a “huge fan” of the last singer voted off - the ever-so-emo Brooke White.

“The thing I love about Brooke is that she wears her heart on her sleeve,” he said. “You can see how vulnerable she is. I think she did a great job.”

Syesha Mercado, the only gal left in the running, is improving by the week and the more good performances she has “the more confidence she builds,” Orland said.

David Archuleta “has been amazing since day one,” and rocker David Cook has “grown every week.”

As for the ever-so-laid-back Jason Castro, Orland said he’s “a great person with a great style.”

“Girls love him, little kids love him, the reaction from the fans when he comes out is crazy,” he said. “He’s definitely got something.”

   'Idol' vocal coach is never idle as she guides the apprehensive contestants
UNION-TRIBUNE

May 9, 2008

In conversation, Debra Byrd is a whirlwind. A fast-talking force of nature for whom the laws of punctuation do not always apply. But in her role as the first “American Idol” vocal coach, the woman everyone calls “Byrd” is the calm center of a pop-culture storm. The “Idol” contestants have to listen to the judges, but when they are so stressed they can't hear themselves think, they talk to Debra Byrd.

“Often, they will second-guess themselves because the judges will be split in how they feel about a performance,” Byrd said by phone from Los Angeles. “Randy may hate it. Simon may love it. Paula's gonna love it. And if she doesn't love it, she's kind about how she doesn't love it. A lot of times, they'll get mixed signals on Wednesday night, and then on Thursday morning, they'll have to pick their next song.

“On Thursday morning, I will say to them, 'Did you understand what the judges said to you? How did you feel about what the judges said to you?' And we'll open a discussion about it, so they can purge it. It's very important that they don't have it festering inside, and that they have someone who can hear their side of the story.”

Packed with more guest stars than an evening of “Idol Gives Back,” Byrd's story starts in Cleveland, where she began studying opera at 12 and spent her high school years juggling church choirs, an R&B band and a madrigal group. Her first big job came in the '70s, when she was hired as a backup singer for Barry Manilow, a partnership that is still going strong today.

After Barry came, well, everybody. Bob Dylan. Lyle Lovett. The Eurythmics. Roberta Flack. Byrd has performed, toured or recorded with all of them. She has also sung on film soundtracks and performed in “Barry Manilow on Broadway” and in touring versions of “Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk” and “Ain't Misbehavin'.”

But sometimes, a body in motion needs to stop. So when she was offered the job as a vocal coach for a new Los Angeles-based competitive-reality show, Byrd took it. Not just because the job was intriguing, but also because it offered her the exotic opportunity to sleep in her own bed.

“I said, 'Well, I don't know what 'American Idol' is, but count me in,' ” Byrd said with a gravelly chuckle. “So it's been seven seasons of 'American Idol,' five seasons of 'Canadian Idol,' two seasons of 'Military Idol' and one season of 'American Juniors.' It worked out just fine.”

Byrd and the rest of the “Idol” musical team help the contestants arrange their songs to suit their voices and edit their songs to fit the show's time constraints. And once the song is ready to roll, everyone can only hope the singer will have time to learn it.

“There is a mentor shoot, recording of the video for Ford (“Idol” sponsor Ford Motors), photo shoots, interviews, band rehearsal is in there somewhere. There is a group-song rehearsal. I didn't even mention clothing, the shopping and the alterations. It really is heavy duty. That's why Kelly Clarkson said, 'After you do 'American Idol,' you can do anything.' ”

Of all the potential disasters awaiting “Idol” contestants – the missed high notes, the unflattering clothes, the scandalous photos that come back to haunt them – the Curse of the Bad Song Choice is what judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell harp on the most. And because the songs have to fit the weekly theme and have the proper legal clearance, the decision-making can be perilous.

Pick the wrong song – as the judges thought the recently departed Brooke White did with “I'm a Believer” – and your days could be numbered. Pick the right song – as the now-departed Kristy Lee Cook did last month with “God Bless the USA” – and you could buy yourself a few extra weeks on the big “Idol” stage.”

“I always say that finding the correct song choice for you is like shopping for clothing,” Byrd said. “You know if those jeans look great on you, you know if you look hot or if you look horrible. Picking that song is the exact same thing. You need a song that is tailor-made for you, and your mission is to find it.”

And just like everyone needs a friend who will tell them the truth about those acid-wash jeans and those gold stilettos, “Idol” singers need someone who will make them step away from the Whitney.

“I will never B.S. them,” Byrd said. “I tell them, 'If you sound fabulous, I will say so. If you don't, I will say so.' I've had a few contestants say to me, 'Aren't you paid to tell me that I sound good?' What? No. I'm paid to be honest.”

She may be honest, but when asked about the strengths of this year's contestants, Byrd chose to speak about the group as a whole.

“The common denominator is courage,” Byrd said. “Because it takes a lot to stand on a stage in front of millions of people and be ridiculed. It's very heart-wrenching. They are all unique.”

But when she was asked which contestants have blown her away, Byrd was ready to sing the praises of the people who have made this vocal guru stop and listen.

“David Cook stunned me the first song he did. He stunned me in a great way. Fantasia stunned me. Kelly Clarkson stunned me. Chris Daughtry. Carrie Underwood. LaToya London. Elliott Yamin. They were all willing to take a risk, vocally, musically, with their song choice. They are visionaries.”

American Idol creator Simon Fuller to marry

Natalie Swanston and Simon FullerSimon Fuller — the man who created American Idol and the Spice Girls — is set to marry his long-term girlfriend.

The pop svengali, 47, will wed fiancee Natalie Swanston in a multi-million dollar, three-day ceremony in California’s Napa Valley at the end of the month.

A source said: “Simon is a very private man, but after dating Natalie for a few years he has finally popped the question. Money is no object so it’s going to be one hell of a party.”

Those thought to attend the plush do, include, Claudia Schiffer, Leona Lewis, the Spice Girls, David Beckham and Simon Cowell. Prince Charles and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown are expected to send good luck messages.

Fuller — whose worth an estimated $900m — was last year named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine.

By Owen Williams, May 09 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy

May 12, 2008 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

FremantleMedia Enterprises Partners With Delivery Agent to Re-Launch “American Idol” Online Stores

Enhanced Online Retail Experience Provides One-Stop Shopping for Exclusive Fan Gear and Apparel

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Delivery Agent, the leader in shopping-enabled entertainment, has signed an exclusive online agreement with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) to manage all e-commerce needs for America’s #1 television show at www.americanidol.com and www.SeenON.com. Among other enhancements, the deal will provide a new, all-inclusive “American Idol” shopping experience for consumers to easily purchase exclusive fan gear and apparel like never before.

The agreement gives FME complete access to Delivery Agent’s highly sophisticated shopping platform, including a full e-commerce engine, targeted ad serving, and Shopisodes® -- an advanced video shopping application.

“‘American Idol’ has broken the reality TV mold and created a fully interactive program forming an intimate connection between the fans and the show,” said Mike Fitzsimmons, CEO of Delivery Agent. “Our online retail environment will further close the loop on the show’s interactivity.”

“Fashion is a very important part of the ‘American Idol’ brand,” said Jason Turner, Sr. Director of Interactive for FME in the United States. “Now, through our partnership with Delivery Agent, we can provide our fans with the state-of-the-art online shopping experience they deserve.”

AmericanIdol.com, a unit of Fox Interactive Media, is the most-visited broadcast network television show Web site among a category of selected shows from the six leading broadcast networks, according to Hitwise, the leading online competitive intelligence service measuring 10 million U.S. Internet users.

About Delivery Agent, Inc.

Delivery Agent, Inc. (www.deliveryagent.com) is the leader in shopping-enabled programming and content monetization for more than 125 entertainment properties from major media companies such as ABC, CBS, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, MTV Networks, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Boston Celtics, UFC, and The Weinstein Company. Delivery Agent created the market for shopping-enabled programming by redefining how products related to entertainment are cataloged, merchandised and sold online. Since its inception in 2001, Delivery Agent has deployed its comprehensive technology platform, including e-commerce applications, video and mobile products, and interactive advertising solutions to create profitable connections among entertainment content, consumers and brands. To date, the company has developed a network of more than 90 distinct branded shopping sites for its partners and its own SeenON!™ (www.SeenON.com), the definitive online shopping destination for products seen on screen.

About American Idol:

American Idol is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America.

About FremantleMedia Enterprises & FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment. It is a division of FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is a subsidiary of RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is 90% owned by Bertelsmann AG, an integrated media and entertainment company that commands leading positions in the world's media markets. For further information, visit http://www.fremantlemedia.com.

ABOUT 19 ENTERTAINMENT

The 19 Group of Companies was founded by Simon Fuller in 1985 and has achieved over 40 No. 1 singles and 15 No. 1 albums. Fuller also has an impressive tally of over 60 Top-40 albums and 170 Top-40 singles in the UK alone. Fuller created and managed the Spice Girls, who became a global phenomenon under his guidance, selling over 38 million albums. In 1998, Fuller’s 19 launched S Club 7, which has sold 10 million CDs worldwide, while its three television series to date have consistently topped children’s viewing figures, reaching 104 countries. In 2001, Simon Fuller’s 19TV created and produced the television phenomenon “Pop Idol” and in 2002, AMERICAN IDOL. “Pop Idol” launched the singing careers of Will Young and Gareth Gates in the UK, while AMERICAN IDOL did the same for Carrie Underwood, Fantasia Barrino, Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks and Ruben Studdard in the United States.

Contacts

For Delivery Agent, Inc.
Michelle Forrest, 310-487-3177
mforrest@deliveryagent.com

Blake Lewis blames Idol producer Lythgoe for Sanjaya

Posted Apr 2nd 2008 3:22PM by Jason Hughes

Sanjaya and Shyamali MalakarI know this is going back to last year's American Idol, but in a recent radio interview, runner-up Blake Lewis blasted Sanjaya Malakar, saying the singer more famous for his hair than his voice should have never been on the show. In fact, he went on to say, "He had already gotten cut. [The judges were] like, 'You suck. You shouldn't be on the show. Then the producer [Nigel Lythgoe] put him back on." In fact, Lewis said he only made it to Hollywood because his sister did; Shyamali Malakar got cut there. If this is true, does this speak to the integrity of the selection process? I realize it's a reality show as well as a competition so personalities are cast as well as talent, but wouldn't you still want the best singers represented? I guess not.

Every year there is criticism when certain contestants advance ahead of others, but as far as I can tell this is the first time a former contestant has come out and said much the same. "I got pissed every week because my buddies that are super-talented are going home and he's [still there]," he said about Sanjaya's improbable run to seventh place. Of course, once they hit the stage it's our choice, and our fault, how long they stay. But are the showrunners intentionally putting in sub-par performers to try and drum up press and controversy like they had last year with Sanjaya?

Simon Cowell says: Let's blow up 'American Idol'!
May 14, 2008

BY BILL ZWECKER Sun-Times Columnist

If you think Simon Cowell’s public criticism of the current season of ‘‘American Idol’’ — such as his recent comments to the celeb TV show ‘‘Extra’’ — were tough, you should hear what our favorite broadcast curmudgeon is saying behind the scenes.

The show returns at 8 tonight on WFLD-Channel 12 to narrow the three contestants to the final two.

‘‘The whole thing needs to be blown up,’’ Simon Cowell reportedly has told staff members of his show, "American Idol."

According to Cowell, the entire ‘‘Idol’’ concept needs a major overhaul. ‘‘The whole thing needs to be blown up,’’ Cowell reportedly has told staff members.

‘‘And if he had his druthers, and there weren’t all kinds of tightly-written contracts, Simon would love to see Paula [Abdul], Ryan [Seacrest] and even Randy [Jackson] replaced by fresh talent,’’ said a longtime ‘‘Idol’’ production exec, who asked not to be named, since that person was not authorized to speak for the show.

‘‘We need to come up a new way to find contestants, as well,’’ Cowell is quoted as saying at a recent staff meeting. ‘‘Everything we do needs to be examined ... including the sets, the audition process, the choice of musical genres for the final weeks of competition and even how we handle the audience [for the live performances] and say goodbye to the people eliminated,’’ said Cowell.

While ‘‘American Idol,’’ is still very popular, it has seen a significant drop-off in ratings this season — leading Cowell and other ‘‘Idol’’ honchos to begin thinking of ways to re-invigorate their very valuable franchise. Reportedly, Cowell has also raised the idea of bringing in a secondary — and
female — ‘‘host’’ to work with Seacrest — similar to how ‘‘Dancing with the Stars’’ uses Samantha Harris to compliment Tom Bergeron.

Whatever happens, my ‘‘American Idol’’ sources say next season will see some major changes — ‘‘to give us a new lease on life,’’ said one insider.

2008-05-16

Nielsen Reveals Data Trends for American Idol

NEW YORK, May 16: Ahead of the finale of FOX’s American Idol next week, The Nielsen Company has released data trends about the hit reality talent competition show and its contestants, with the 35-to-49 demographic comprising nearly 29 percent of the total audience for the series’ seventh season.

According to Nielsen, the most-watched episode this season was the premiere episode on Tuesday, January 15, which averaged 33 million viewers. American Idol's highest viewership was season five, where more than 30 million people watched on average, compared to 12 million the first season and 27 million this current season. The east central part of the U.S. has the highest viewing levels above the national average, while the southwest has the lowest viewing levels below average. Overall, the most-watched American Idol episode was the final hour of season two on Wednesday, May 21, 2003; more than 38 million viewers tuned in live to watch the face-off between winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken.

On the interactive front, according to Nielsen Mobile, the average American Idol participant voted via text message 38 times in April. Women tend to vote via text with greater frequency than men; in April, female voters of American Idol submitted 44 percent more text-message votes than their male counterparts. Voting by text is only available to AT&T subscribers. Male contestants David Cook, David Archuleta and Jason Castro dominated the show's consumer discussion online this season, with 14.3 percent, 12.5 percent and 10.5 percent buzz volume, respectively. The most popular American Idol contestant from opinions and feedback from Hey! Nielsen's online panel is Carrie Underwood, while David Archuleta is this season's most popular contender. Web traffic to American Idol websites saw the most unique visitors in March 2007. Of the top ten months ranked by unique visitors, viewers spent the most amount of time on American Idol websites during season five, where time spent per person was more than ten minutes during the months of March, April and May 2006.

During 2007, American Idol featured 4,349 product placement occurrences. So far, the number of placements in 2008 is surging—the program racked up 3,291 occurrences the first three months of 2008 alone. Coca-Cola was the top American Idol advertiser during the seventh season for the first quarter of 2008, followed by AT&T and Ford. Procter & Gamble and Apple rounded out the top five. All five of these companies have advertised on American Idol since 2002 and, with the exception of Apple, all of them also held slots among the top five American Idol advertisers in the sixth season

Kelly Clarkson is the best-selling American Idol contestant, with album and digital download sales of 18.9 million, followed by Carrie Underwood in second place with album and digital download sales of 15.7 million. Clay Aiken rounds out the top three with album and digital download sales of 4.8 million and digital download sales of 469,000. Until 2006, when the winner was Taylor Hicks, each season's American Idol champ sold at least 1 million copies on his or her debut album.

—By Irene Lew

 

On 'Idol,' good singers make for a dull season

By LYNN ELBER – 2 hours ago

LOS ANGELES (AP) — This season of "American Idol" had talented singers, a doe-eyed teenage contestant for the prepubescent crowd, visits from pop royalty, stinging comments from Simon Cowell and jaw-droppers from Paula Abdul.

So why have some fans and observers found it a dull slog as the show builds to its David Archuleta vs. David Cook finale next Wednesday?

Because contestants who were good but not memorable made for mediocre television, watchers say. Where was the drama, the unpredictability, the oddball personalities? In short, where was the fun?

Such criticism is ironic given the heat "Idol" took last year when Sanjaya Malakar, more a hairstyle than a singer, held the spotlight. Or the reaction when dancin' man Taylor Hicks won the title in 2006, trading as much on charm as skill.

Producers of the Fox show made an effort this year to go for vocal gold over glitz, and this is the thanks they get — along with remaining the No. 1 show, albeit with slimmer ratings.

"The only thing that kept the entire thing from being excruciatingly boring was (apparent frontrunner) Michael Johns being voted off and the shiver it seemed to send through everyone," observed regular "Idol" viewer Mike Anderson of Yakima, Wash.

"Because the talent level was so high, nothing anyone did was surprising," Anderson said.

Maybe not quite high enough: No one, not even teen fave Archuleta or Cook, came close to equaling what Anderson calls LaKisha Jones "blowout performance" of "And I'm Telling You" last season. Fantasia Barrino's stunning rendition of "Summertime" in season three also remains a singular achievement.

Dave Della Terza has long relished mocking "American Idol" on his Web site, votefortheworst.com, but counts himself among this season's disappointed viewers.

"In past years people would ask, `Do you hate "American Idol?"' I'd say it's fun to make fun of, it's so bad," he said. "But this year, honestly, I'm so sick of the show. ... It's almost a chore to watch at this point."

He's hearing the same thing from visitors to his site and seeing it in the numbers, with traffic down about 50 percent.

A major complaint cited by Della Terza: The contestants have remained cyphers. In other words, Jason Castro's dreadlocks showed more character than any contestant.

"What do you really know about David Cook? All you really know about David Archuleta is his dad is annoying," Della Terza said, referring to reports of backstage meddling.

"I think that's why Sanjaya was so successful. Every week, he was coming out and showing personality. He flourished in a crowd of people who didn't have personalities," Della Terza said.

"American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe isn't buying the criticism. He says the talent this year has been "phenomenal" and he expects the David vs. David finale will be the "humdinger" that judge Cowell colorfully predicted last week.

The audience for "American Idol" has dropped by about 8 percent from the nearly 31 million viewers who watched last year. But there's been a general erosion in TV viewership, partly blamed on the writer's strike, with the big four networks drawing about 9 percent fewer viewers in April and May so far than during the same period last year. "Idol" has withstood the downturn better than many other hit series, such as "Grey's Anatomy," down about 20 percent.

Lythgoe dismissed the contention that viewers weren't allowed to get up close and personal with contestants.

Take runner-up Syesha Mercado: "We know that her father had drug and alcohol issues. We know what she was experiencing. After that, there are personal (boundaries)."

Lythgoe maintains that even before Sanjaya Malakar became a topic of discussion, he and fellow producers realized the show was "losing focus" and needed to give precedence to the contest and follow-ups on past finalists like Barrino and Clay Aiken.

"It's not about the judges, the mentors, anybody with a record coming out," he said.

For a show that makes an art of product placement, however, an old artist with a new CD to promote still represents a viable commodity. Neil Diamond was among this year's fusty but famous visitors, graciously offering advice to contestants (some of whom proceeded to mangle his work anyway).

Bruce Flohr, a former record company executive now with Red Light Management, is an "Idol" admirer but said the show has to do a better job of weeding out lesser singers who make it too easy to guess who will make it through to the end.

"Part of the problem is people are starting to use the show as a vehicle to stardom, whether they truly want to sing or not," he said.

Newer artists and music also would help freshen the formula, Flohr suggested.

Absolutely, said Della Terza of votefortheworst, who questions how asking contestants to sing songs from the 1960s or '70s can translate into "a current marketable recording artist."

"This year overdid it with old songs and barely let the contestants sing anything that they would actually put on a record," he said.

Producer Lythgoe responds that finding a young artist with an impressive enough body of work to be covered by a dozen contestants is no easy task. Besides challenging the young singers — which he says makes for compelling TV — the classics remain worthy, he adds.

"You can't beat Stevie Wonder. Look at that catalog," Lythgoe said. "And history teaches us so much."

But the show can't ignore one particularly ominous ratings sign, although Lythgoe contends it's cyclical and reversible: The median age of an "American Idol" viewer, once in the mid-30s, is now up to 42 as viewership by teenagers and women age 18 to 34 has dropped.

One beneficiary of the "Idol" machine, Hicks, remains upbeat about it. He's headed to Broadway to join the cast of "Grease" next month.

"The idea and the dream is still alive in that show," Hicks said. "American Idol" has the ability to "cultivate a talent to put them on their way to becoming a great entertainer and a great performer, a musician, actor, whatever."

Bob Lefsetz isn't buying it. The music industry analyst says flatly that "the bloom is off the rose" after so many years.

"Even if the new Aretha Franklin came on," he said, "people would say, `Seen it. I'm going to watch something on YouTube.'"

Associated Press Writer Erin Carlson contributed to this report.

Musicians union sues `American Idol' producers

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A musicians union has filed a federal lawsuit against the producers of "American Idol," claiming musicians were underpaid because the show's live music was re-recorded for reruns.

The American Federation of Musicians filed the suit seeking unspecified damages Thursday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, alleging that American Idol Productions Inc. and its subsidiary Tick Tock Productions Inc. violated a collective bargaining agreement.

That contract says the show's musicians should be paid royalties for rebroadcasts of the show, the lawsuit said.

The producers are required to pay 75 percent of scale to musicians who appear in the original show and rehearsals, plus 10 percent of that pay to a union pension fund, with decreasing percentages for each rebroadcast, according to court papers.

In 2007, the producers started cutting out the show's soundtrack and using different musicians to re-record new music for the past-season highlights show "American Idol Rewind," the lawsuit said.

The union was not informed of the recording, according to court papers.

Phone messages left Thursday night with a representative for American Idol Productions were not returned.

`American Idol' adds DioGuardi as fourth judge


(http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2008/features/tvblog/080908/kara_dioguardi_240x320.jpg)

NEW YORK (AP) — Scoot over, Simon Cowell. "American Idol" is adding a fourth critic to its panel of judges.

Grammy-nominated songwriter Kara DioGuardi will sit alongside Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson when the eighth season of "American Idol" premieres in January, the Fox network said Monday.

"For the past seven seasons, Paula has had to endure the experience of being the only woman at the judges' table," said Mike Darnell, president, alternative programming of Fox, in a statement.

"With Kara by her side, Paula has some backup and now there is going to be a lot more `girl power' on the show," Darnell said.

DioGuardio's songs have been recorded by Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood and Pink, among others.

"We are turning the heat up on `Idol' this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges' table," said creator and executive producer Simon Fuller in a statement. "She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America's most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show."

Executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz said a fourth judge isn't a new idea.

"We had originally intended for `American Idol' to have four judges," she said. "We've seen from our international series that having a fourth judge creates a dynamic that benefits both the contestants and the viewers."

Fox is a unit of News Corp.

Despite Lower Ratings, Cash Flow Rises for ‘Idol’
Ray Mickshaw/Fox

The audience for “American Idol” has declined in each of the last three years, but the show remains the highest-rated on TV.

By EDWARD WYATT
Published: May 10, 2009

LOS ANGELES — Can a television show with a shrinking audience actually increase its revenue?

In the case of “American Idol,” the answer is yes, and the manner that the show’s creators are going about it could change the way that producers and broadcast networks think about the longevity of reality television programs.

Despite losing viewers in each of the last three years, “American Idol,” still the top-rated series on television, is generating ever-growing profits for its creators and, it appears, for Fox Broadcasting through brand extensions, marketing arrangements and licensing fees.

The deals, which include products as disparate as ice cream and trading cards, as well as the more familiar partnerships with iTunes and AT&T, have driven tremendous growth in the profitability of “American Idol,” according to the public financial statements of the parent of 19 Entertainment, the company founded by Simon Fuller, the creator of the show.

Those financial statements include documents that break down how revenue is split among Fox, 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia, the production company behind the show.

“They are just raking in the money, hand over fist,” said Brad Adgate, a senior vice president for research at Horizon Media. “There are certain things that ‘American Idol’ does not do well, like selling DVDs. But the whole industry is moving toward a different model where deciding whether something is a hit or not is not just based on how much you charge for 30 seconds of advertising.”

While everyone in television, from Ben Silverman, the co-chairman of NBC, to the youth-centric programmers at MTV, is trying to find ways to increase profits as television audiences decline, “American Idol” is taking its cues not from the traditional broadcasting playbook but from the National Football League.

“We have learned the lessons of the sports leagues in that they have all these ancillary revenue streams,” said Robert F. X. Sillerman, chief executive of CKX Inc., the parent of 19 Entertainment. “And frankly, we’re just beginning.”

David Lunar, a senior vice president for interactive and consumer products at FremantleMedia, which produces the program in partnership with 19 Entertainment, said this year that the company had experienced “eight straight years of growth” in licensing and merchandising.

That is particularly noteworthy given that, according to Nielsen Media Research, the average audience for “American Idol” peaked three years ago, at more than 30 million viewers an episode. This season, each episode is attracting about 25 million viewers an episode.

Advertising revenue, which primarily benefits Fox Broadcasting, has grown in each of the last three years, according to TNS Media Intelligence, to $903 million last year. That is nearly double the level of three years earlier. Those figures do not include Fox’s ancillary sponsorship deals and other income, like royalties it receives from the sale of music performances by “Idol” contestants.

Even though “American Idol’s” ratings have declined, Fox has put more hours of the show on the air and has been able to charge a higher rate as its ratings lead over other shows has grown.

The revenue and profits of 19 Entertainment have grown even more quickly, according to the financial statements of CKX. Its revenues from “American Idol” alone grew to $96 million last year from $67 million two years earlier, with gross profit margins expanding to 77 percent from 69 percent in that span.

Including revenue from “Idol” programming in other countries, from music sales related to all the “Idol” shows and from “So You Think You Can Dance,” also on Fox, 19 Entertainment produced revenue of $223 million last year, up from $151 million two years earlier.

Fremantle does not break out its revenue, and a spokesman for the company declined to comment on its financial performance. But contracts included in the CKX financial statements stipulate that Fremantle receive one-third to one-half of the various revenue streams that benefit 19 Entertainment.

Even though the overall audience is declining, “American Idol” appears to be in little danger of losing its crown as the top-rated television series. In the 2003-4 season, the first in which “Idol” was the top-rated prime-time series, its lead over the second place show was about 7 percent. That margin has grown every year since and this year is 66 percent.

Mike Darnell, the president of alternative entertainment for Fox, who oversees “Idol” and other reality shows for the network, said that “Idol” could lose 12 percent of its audience every season and still be among the top 10 shows on television in 2016 — even if every other show on television maintained all of its current audience.

Fox, too, benefits from the brand extensions. Its Fox Reality Channel televises “American Idol Rewind,” which repeats segments from earlier seasons along with previously unseen footage of noteworthy contestants, and it has turned drama series like “House” and “Fringe” into hits by pairing them with “Idol” for a season or two.

While some programs, like “The Simpsons,” generate large revenue from merchandising and marketing deals separate from the broadcast, “they don’t have the audience delivery or all the hoopla of ‘American Idol,’ ” said Mr. Adgate. “I don’t think there are any reality shows that have a similar, off-network shelf life.”

Mr. Darnell declined to comment on just how much Fox benefited from those and similar efforts. “But I can say the brand extension is huge for this company and for all the companies involved with the show,” he said.

There is evidence that the efforts, if not drawing more people to the program, are certainly getting viewers more engaged. Last week, viewers cast 64 million votes, the most ever for a nonfinale episode.

Mr. Sillerman cited that jump as evidence that “American Idol” could run indefinitely.

“If you only had a 10-year-old, you would probably say the impact of ‘Sesame Street’ has diminished, because it’s not on in your house anymore,” Mr. Sillerman said. “But they’re making new 5-year-olds every year.”

SIMON OFFERED $144 MIL A YEAR TO STAY ON 'IDOL'
By MAXINE SHEN

Last updated: 10:42 am
June 30, 2009

EARLY salary figures from Simon Cowell's "American Idol" contract negotiations are leaking out and they're eye-popping.

Cowell, who reportedly made $36 million last year for judging the hit competition show, has been offered three or four times that amount -- between $100 million and $144 million per year -- by co-producers Fox and 19 Entertainment to stick with "Idol" when his contract expires next May, according to The Guardian, a London newpaper.

Fox declined yesterday to comment about the salary negotiations.

While $36 million may seem like a lot of money for five months worth of snarky comments and eye-rolls, it's only a fraction of the estimated $900 million that "Idol" rakes in a year. As the lynchpin of the show -- without him there would be no one to hate and no dramatic tension with Paula Abdul -- Cowell believes he's due for a raise.

To get more of the pie, he's been leaning on long-time friend and UK retail multibillionaire Sir Philip Green -- who owns hot fashion franchise Top Shop -- for help negotiating the terms of what would be a new "Idol" contract, reports say. Green is said to be lobbying hard for an increase in Cowell's appearance fee on the show.

Sources close to the two friends say that this is just the first step to the creation of an international TV production, talent management and merchandising company, which would put Cowell in a position to actually make money off his ideas and the talent he discovers, not just reap a salary for having his mug on screen.

"This is about properly owning himself, Brand Cowell, everything he does, new formats and new programs, not just the ones starring him," a source close to Green told The Guardian.

Entertainment wiz Cowell, who signed international "popera" act Il Divo, is likely to run the creative end while Green, Britain's ninth wealthiest person, will focus on financial issues.

"Idol" is only one of Cowell's TV contracts which are on the verge of expiring. His three-year deal, which spawned hits "Britain's Got Talent" and "The X-Factor," with UK's ITV, ends this year.

August 4, 2009, 11:16 pm
Paula Abdul Says She Will Leave ‘American Idol’
By Brian Stelter AND Edward Wyatt

After weeks of negotiations with the producers of “American Idol,” Paula Abdul said Tuesday evening that she was leaving the top-rated singing competition.

“With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #IDOL,” Ms. Adbul wrote on Twitter.

“I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent,” she wrote, “but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 become an international phenomenon.”

Fox had no immediate comment.

Her apparent decision came one day after Fox said Kara DioGuardi would return as a judge next season. The show is preparing for the first appearance, later this month, of potential contestants for the show’s ninth season before the judging panel.

Ms. Abdul’s contract expired at the end of last season, and she had been negotiating for a substantial raise from the estimated $2 million that she earned last year.

Ms. Abdul had said that she wanted to return to the show, and Fox Broadcasting and the show’s producers had said they want her back. Last week on Twitter she had written, “I hope you can understand I can only return to Idol if the deal is fair.”

Victoria Beckham lands dream role as new America Idol judge

By Natalie Trombetta
Last updated at 1:41 PM on 06th August 2009

American dream: Victoria Beckham will join Idol as a guest judge

In the wake of Paula Abdul's surprise exit from American Idol, Simon Cowell has called on a old friend to join him on the judging panel - one Mrs Victoria Beckham.

The former Spice Girl has so far agreed to make one guest appearance on the show for a rumoured £155,000.

Her spokesperson told Mail Online: Yes Victoria will be making a "one off" appearance as a guest judge.'

The singing contest is still the highest-rating programme in the U.S. drawing an average of 26.3 million viewers per episode, making the role an impressive coup for the former Spice Girl.

She has been steadily building her profile in the since her move to the U.S. in 2007 but has yet to really make her big break.

Her appointment may come as a surprise to some, considering that even by her own admission she is not a particularly good singer.

'I worked hard at it,' she recently admitted, but: 'I was never going to be the best singer or dancer.'

A source says Posh is not interested to take over Paula's role permanently.

She is still determined to concentrate on her fashion projects, according to the insider, and is currently working on the upcoming launch of her new collection at New York fashion week in September.

Abdul announced just yesterday that she was leaving the show after eight years.

'With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to Idol,' she posted on her Twitter page last night.

While the TV talent show judge did not expand on her reasons for leaving the programme, she had been lobbying for a significant pay raise during negotiations for a new contract in recent months.

She was said to be particularly annoyed after hearing reports host Ryan Seacrest had secured a $45 million, 3-year deal, while she was being offered a rumoured $2 to $3million a year.
American Idol

Insiders claim she asked for about $20 million to continue with the show but was offered a total multi-year deal worth $10 million.

Abdul's message continued: 'I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day one become an international phenomenon.'

'What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me.

'It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month.'

The rest of the judging panel, which includes Randy Jackson, Kara DiGuardi, and of course Cowell, will all appear on the next series.

Simon Cowell finalizing 'Idol' deal
Likely to stay on the show for at least three more seasons

By Nellie Andreeva

Aug 10, 2009, 11:00 PM ET

Simon Cowell will be a judge on "American Idol" for at least three more seasons.

During the second-quarter earnings call of CKX, parent company of "Idol" co-producer 19 Entertainment, CKX chairman and CEO Robert Sillerman indicated that Cowell is finalizing a deal with Fox to continue on the top-rated reality show.

Cowell, heading into the final year of his current "Idol" contract, hinted in the spring that he might leave the show at the end of his deal. But early in the summer, he entered negotiations with Fox for a new two-year pact.

"We've heard from Fox, who has asked us for approval for Simon Cowell to appear for three more years on 'Idol,' " Sillerman said. "They, in their negotiations with Cowell, have asked us to pre-approve him not only for 'American Idol' '09, which has begun taping, but they have also asked us for approval for '10 and '11, indicating to us that they're finishing their negotiation with Cowell. We did grant approval for that quite obviously."

Sillerman didn't mention any financials of Cowell's deal with Fox, but the uber-judge reportedly is poised to earn $45 million under the new pact, up from $36 million a year under his current contract.

Fox declined comment Monday.

On the call, Sillerman also shed light on the mechanics of hiring "Idol" judges, with 19 and co-producer FremantleMedia proposing their choices to Fox, which signs off.

It's Fox who pays the judges' salaries, Sillerman noted.

The network's recent negotiations with "Idol" judge Paula Abdul, Cowell's favorite sparring partner on the panel, had a dramatic resolution when Abdul walked away over a salary dispute. She reportedly was seeking more than $10 million a year and was offered about half that.

Fox, meanwhile, picked up the option on freshman judge Kara DioGuardi. Randy Jackson is under contract through this coming season, and "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest recently signed a three-year, $45 million deal with 19, which covers other services beyond "Idol."

Celebrities including Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry have been tapped as guest judges for the "Idol" auditions, with Fox brass indicating that they are planning to find a permanent replacement for Abdul.

Also on Monday, 19 announced that it has acquired a 51% stake in leading U.K. modeling agency Storm Model Management, whose roster of clients includes Kate Moss, Emma Watson Jourdan Dunn, Lily Cole, Cindy Crawford, Eva Herzigova and France's First Lady Carla Bruni.

September 9, 2009, 8:34 pm
Ellen DeGeneres to Become Fourth ‘American Idol’ Judge
By Brian Stelter

Ellen DeGeneres will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on “American Idol” next winter, Fox announced on Wednesday evening.

The announcement comes after Paula Abdul said last month that she would leave the program ahead of its ninth season, which is scheduled to start in January 2010.

Ms. DeGeneres, the popular daytime talk show host, will join the famous judges’ panel after the auditions, which are currently taking place in cities around the country.

“I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol,” Ms. DeGeneres said in a statement. “I’ve watched since the beginning, and I’ve always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I’ll save from not having to text in my vote.”

Update: 10:01 p.m.: The Associated Press reports:

    DeGeneres told her talk show audience in an episode scheduled to air Thursday that she would not abandon her Emmy-winning chatfest, but would have “a day job and a night job.”

    “The times we’re living in,” she quipped, “we’re all doing that.”

    “Hopefully, I’m the people’s point of view because I’m just like you,” DeGeneres said on her show. “I sit at home and I watch it, and I don’t have that technical … I’m not looking at it in a critical way from the producer’s mind. I’m looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person.”

Ellen DeGeneres takes Paula Abdul's 'American Idol' seat
She signs a five-year deal to be a judge.
By Joe Flint, Denise Martin and Maria Elena Fernandez
September 10, 2009


The fourth seat has been filled.

A little more than a month after Paula Abdul tendered her high-profile Twitter resignation as a judge on "American Idol," Fox announced Wednesday that she was being replaced by one of the show's biggest fans, comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres.

The network's five-year deal with DeGeneres puts to rest a major challenge facing Fox as the aging singing competition enters its ninth season in January: filling the shoes of the judge considered by many to be the heart of the show.

DeGeneres, who has hosted the Oscars and the Emmys and was recently a guest judge on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," broke the news to her audience during a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Wednesday.

"I don't know how it happened myself, but I have not missed one episode of that show," DeGeneres said in the episode of the talk show that airs today. "I love everything about it and I love music, as you know. Hopefully I'm the people's point of view because I'm just like you. I sit at home and I watch it and I don't have that technical . . . I'm not looking at it in a critical way from the producer's mind. I'm looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person."

The move to sign DeGeneres came after a series of guest judges filled in for Abdul during the "Idol" audition rounds, including Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, singers Mary J. Blige, Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne, and actors Neil Patrick Harris and Kristin Chenoweth.

DeGeneres will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi on the panel when the show returns to the air in January. It hasn't been decided whether DeGeneres will join the other judges for pretaped semifinal rounds in November.

The mating dance between Fox and DeGeneres began in earnest after she was a guest judge on "So You Think You Can Dance" in July. Although Abdul had not resigned at that point, DeGeneres' appearance stuck with Fox executives, who were well aware that Abdul was not a lock to return.

DeGeneres has long ties with Fox and landed one of her big breaks on the network 20 years ago in the short-lived comedy, "Open House."

Talks heated up late last week among Fox and DeGeneres and Warner Bros., which needed to give its blessing since it has an exclusive TV contract with DeGeneres.

Leading negotiations for DeGeneres were ICM agent Eddy Yablans and manager Caryn Weingarten, who found a receptive audience at Fox, where Tony Vinciquerra, chief executive of the Fox Network Group, gave the green light to new entertainment chairman Peter Rice to get a deal done.

Rice, working closely with reality programming chief Mike Darnell and business affairs head Ira Kurgan, quickly put together a multiyear contract that would bring stability to TV's No. 1 show, both in front of and behind the camera.

Though Warner Bros., which produces and distributes DeGeneres' talk show, did not stand in the way, the studio did extend its own deal with her for three more years -- until 2014 -- before agreeing to let her take on "American Idol."

"I'm going to have a day job and a night job," DeGeneres said during her show. "The times we're living in . . . we're all doing that. This is so exciting for me. We've been dealing with this for the last couple of weeks and I've been dying to tell everyone. It's just been so hard to keep it a secret and we just finally got the OK and I'm so excited."

Signing DeGeneres will likely make it easier for Fox to make a deal with Cowell, whose contract expires next May.

Though rumors have persisted that Abdul and Fox might come to terms in time for her to be back by "Idol's" January return, her manager, David Sonenberg, told The Times) last month that chances of such a scenario playing out were slim. Abdul has since made deals to host the "VH1 Divas" ceremony. Her guest spot on the Lifetime comedy "Drop Dead Diva" has turned into a recurring role. She also told "Access Hollywood" that she is working on a deal to develop and star in her own Las Vegas revue.

After failing to clinch a more lucrative deal with “Idol,”)%2C Abdul tweeted her resignation Aug. 4. "With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return," she wrote. "I'll miss nurturing all the new talent."

During the Television Critics Press Assn. tour last month, Fox executives said they were set on maintaining the four-judge arrangement even with Abdul's departure. "I think that the four judges were getting in a rhythm last year, and we will probably have four judges back," Rice said.

"We have from now until January to introduce a different energy into the panel. . . . There is going to be a search, and we have to cast that in a way that is fun and energizing and creates some real chemistry between the people on the panel."

During an interview with Cowell on her talk show before the "Idol" season ended, DeGeneres told Cowell she wasn't thrilled about the addition of a fourth judge: "I think everybody liked it the way it was with you and Randy and Paula. And all of a sudden there's a fourth judge. It gives you less time to talk. It kind of splits it up."

Looks like someone has changed her mind.