Posted on 12/19/2006 12:52:48 PM PST by Palladin
Event 'will blow America away'
By RICHARD HUFF DAILY NEWS TV EDITOR
What would Simon say? "Idol" hopefuls at tryouts in L.A. recently.
"American Idol" executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz promises a big event midway through the coming season of the red-hot talent show - but she won't say what it is. "If there's one thing that makes 'American Idol' so big, it's a huge event," she told the Daily News.
"Something we're working on is a big-event show, sometime in the middle of the season, something that will blow America away," she added.
Hard to believe the folks behind "American Idol" can get the show any bigger than it already is. When it's on - and it's only around 19 weeks a year - the show is the biggest thing on the small screen, generating huge Nielsen ratings and daily water-cooler buzz.
Each season the show rolls around, there are gentle warnings that the audience level will drop. And, each year, the show does better.
Last season, the Tuesday edition of "American Idol" was watched by an average of 31.02 million people to rank No. 1 for the season. That's up 3 million from the 27.44 million the season before.
(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...
jonny, are you ready to host the Idol Threads again this year?
I am looking forward to getting together with all of you for the new season next month.
Absolutely :)
"Something we're working on is a big-event show, sometime in the middle of the season, something that will blow America away," she added.
Mid-season? That probably means sometime during the semi-finals, when the show could use a boost.
Usually they have a "special guest" like the previous Idol winner or runner-up stop by and perform, but this sounds like they're planning some sort of Idol halftime show, maybe with celebrities. Hmmm.
Hmmm...interesting.
Guess what? My cable added Fox Reality and right now I am watching the final 6 with Andrea Bocelli!!!
Oh my heavens. It's the funky yellow dress episode! There goes McDaddy cryin'.
Oh, what memories! Who could ever forget that episode?
The big Idol news right now is the success of Jennifer Hudson. They are saying she may get an Academy nomination for Dreamgirls.
And has anyone bought Taylor's album yet? How is it?
I have Taylor's album. I really like it!
The songs are really good. I heard that 2 -3 came from previous albums of his. :) I hope it goes well for him.
WOO HOO!!! Thanks for the ping. Getting ready!
McDaddy...ROFL!!!
Maybe Michael Jackson will make an appearance. LOL
* Yawn *
Well--we just won't invite YOU to our Idol Live Thread this month!
Hi...if there's a ping list for this thread can you direct me to the person handling it. I'd like to be added....
Here's a great site that showcases some of the tracks during a live rehearsal for Taylor's album. The videos for Hell of a Day and Hollywood Nights are my favs, but Hell of a Day, I think, is only on the cd's bought at wallmart. Hollywood Nights features all of the members of his new tour band...they are awesome!! Idol did right by Taylor.
His tour dates are up as well. I have my tickets for the Columbus show...only $15!! and it's in a smaller more intimate venue! (going to be loud)
www.rehearsals.com
Use 'Find Artist' scroll down to Taylor Hicks
To the right there is a 'Watch Video' section...scroll down and get a feel by starting with Hollywood Nights...I've also found it's a much better listen if you have a headset plugged in for stereo affect! Of course, I like my music the louder the better!
And for anyone who missed the half time show at the Orange Bowl...Taylor starts with the first release off his single and then is joined by Gladys Knight (harmonica featured). Open the link and scroll nearly to the end of the page!!
http://www.graycharles.com/
and for some crazy fun for those of you who love to watch Taylor dance, I found this on You Tube...lots of very creative (and a bit obsessed) fans out there! Of course, I'm so NOT one of them ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDqAYCs5b2E&mode=related&search=
Please add to the ping list.
It's gonna be a great show this season!
Thanks for the links, Kimberly.
Taylor was our favorite last year and we are glad he won.
He's quite a guy.
Kimberly GG has been added to the Idol list :)
We saw Dreamgirls yesterday and Jennifer Hudson steals the whole movie.
I believe she's nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
Are you ready? Idol is back!
The series begins with a pair of two-hour episodes airing 8-10 p.m. EST Tuesday and Wednesday and featuring auditions in Minneapolis and Seattle. Details of a previously announced song-writing contest for the eventual winner's first single are pending, Frot-Coutaz said.
"American Idol," produced by FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, returns with a richer gloss than ever. Last year's finale included a surprise appearance by Prince, among the highest-profile guest stars and far removed from such golden oldie visitors as Rod Stewart.
***snip***
McCartney, an iconic figure who's an impressive "get" for any venture, is being courted and is rumored to be part of the new season. Carey may also end up on the guest list.
"Nothing's locked," Frot-Coutaz said of the ex-Beatle. "We've had discussions with him over the years. It's always a matter of making it work."
In Carey's case, record producer-cum-judge Jackson may be the key: He and the singer are friends and have a long professional association. Jackson said they have "tossed it around a bit" but have yet to set her appearance.
More evidence of the power of "American Idol" is the stunning "Dreamgirls" film debut of Jennifer Hudson, a 2004 also-ran (to winner Fantasia Barrino) who's up for a Golden Globe and considered a potential Oscar nominee.
That's alongside the best-selling CDs and singles churned out by past winners including Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, and the awards they've collected that include Grammy and Country Music Association trophies.
All this from a show that the American division of FremantleMedia (the production arm of media conglomerate Bertelsmann AG's RTL Group) went into "quietly and cautiously optimistic" despite the format's success in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, Frot-Coutaz said.
"Music hadn't worked on American TV for a while, so I think we filled a gap," she said.
And connected with the future. In an interactive, consumer-driven age that prompted Time magazine to declare "You" its person of the year 2006, "American Idol" can claim it had the zeitgeist down cold when it debuted in 2002.
"America's choosing the idol," said analyst Shari Anne Brill of ad-buying firm Carat USA. Viewers "have a real way of participating, as opposed to being armchair athletes."
***snip***
"You're really impacting somebody's life," said the executive. "The show's genuinely looking for superstar contestants who really want to be pop stars. It's not a fake-ish competition just for TV. The show delivers entertainment, but there is a very serious aim to it."
***snip***
According to Advertising Age magazine, FremantleMedia has deals set or is in negotiations for new products including a theme-park attraction and cell-phone downloads of show performances. Items already sold include clothing, books, toys and an "Idol"-themed Barbie doll, with a Monopoly game coming this season.
The magazine report is a "bit premature" in what it outlined, "but there's a lot of things in the works," said Frot-Coutaz. "Some happen, some don't; it just depends."
As the sixth season begins, she said, "we're feeling more confident about our ability to go out and really turn this into a bigger brand than just a TV show. It takes a few years before you can get to" that point.
***snip***
As for the bulwark of it all, "American Idol" itself, the horizon is limitless if the program does its job right, according to Jackson.
"I think there's an abundance of talent in America. ... I think the show can continue to be successful as long as we go out and find great talent," he said.
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On the Net:
http://www.fox.com
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EDITOR'S NOTE _ Lynn Elber is a national television columnist for The Associated Press. She can be reached at lelber(at)ap.org
It's great! I love every song on it...don't have to skip over any while listening. There are about four songs that would make good singles, IMO. I understand they're releasing "Just To Feel That Way" on January 22.
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