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American Idol Season 8
marigold:
An interesting article:
Simon Cowell On Paula, Kara, & The Fun of Season Eight
Simon Cowell spoke with the media about what we can expect from the fast-approaching season eight and, as expected, the acerbic judge didn't hold back when expressing his thoughts. As for the return of the Wild Card, Simon is all for it. Much like Ken Warwick, who talked to the media the other day as well, Simon thinks it will detract from the boredom that can set in from seeing the same faces throughout the whole season. As he put it, "This way this is a bit more jeopardy and hopefully a bit more fun in the middle stages."
One thing that won't change, however, is the way he dishes out his criticism, despite some of the media scrutiny surrounding his sometimes harsh words. Although he admitted to the fact that he has taken a closer look at his own style of judging, Simon has decided that most people who come on the show should understand the nature of it after seven seasons. In fact, he prides himself on the fact that the show can actually help a less talented singer to realize that singing might not be his or her career of choice. Simon addressed the rather cordial relationship he's had with some of the people who have returned, year after year: "...you assume that everyone who enters American Idol kind of knows the score, that if you’re not great, you’re going to get some criticism. A lot of people have had criticism in the past, but they come back year after year after year and always seem quite happy to meet us afterwards. We’ve known some of these contestants for seven or eight years now."
As far as the addition of Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge goes, he admits to some hesitation at first adhering to the old "If it ain't broke" notion, but he was torn because of the success of four judges on the UK version. When asked about Ken Warwick's revelation that there are times when Kara and Paula actually gang up on him, Simon said it definitely proved to be a tough situation for him. He goes on to say that they both have strong personalities, but the consolation is that he has Randy on his side. He wasn't ashamed to admit, however, that he is absolutely thrilled with the fact that he is the deciding factor in a tie situation.
Simon was also asked about Paula's recent comments in the media that Simon tries to distract her by whispering in her ear during the show, and Simon didn't even try to deny it! He blatantly said, "I’ve done it from day one. I mean, that’s part of the relationship I’ve had with Paula. I’ve looked upon it, by the way, in a fun way. I mean, it was never done with any maliciousness." He went on to say that Paula has never asked him to stop, or he would. He also said that he does the same thing to all the judges he's worked with on all of the shows.
As for the controversial statement that a guy will win this year, Simon was quick to say that his speculation wasn't about one male in particular. Instead, he based it on the fact that he saw a lot of stellar guys perform during Hollywood Week. But, as always, he points out that he could be wrong, as a Kelly Clarkson can always sneak up on you and "anything can happen." On the whole, he calls them an "interesting bunch," and he likes the fact that they stand up to him more than anyone from other seasons.
The biggest query that American Idol fans have had for years is what the future holds for the show. Simon said that he thinks it still has quite a bit of life left in it--even 10 to 20 years! While he, himself, said that it could prove to be too challenging for him to stay on beyond season ten, he doesn't think this would hinder AI's success. As he stated, "It could still continue without me. I’ve always believed that. This show is successful all over the world and I’m only on American Idol." The key to its success so far, according to Simon? He said that FOX has been smart by not being greedy. Had the network put it on twice a year, he believes it "would have killed the process."
Link: http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/?pid=1504
marigold:
An interesting article:
American Idol debut set for January
Walt Disney World announced Dec. 18 it will debut its American Idol attraction next month at its Hollywood Studios theme park.
Disney announced plans to create the attraction in February, saying at the time that it would open late this year. The attraction is based on the Fox Television show of the same name.
Those attending the attraction will be put through a version of an American Idol audition. Winners of an end-of-the-day grand finale show receive an invitation to a future audition for the TV show.
Link: http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2008/12/15/daily47.html?ana=from_rss
marigold:
An interesting article:
Simon Cowell's got Beyonce, Britney on his mind
As Simon Cowell describes it, adding a second female judge to "American Idol" has brought a battle-of-the-sexes edge to the new season. Asked about a producer's comment that newcomer Kara DioGuardi and series veteran Paula Abdul are teaming up against him, Cowell replied: "What guy would like that? You've got two girls ganging up on you. One is hard enough; two is unbearable."
But with Randy Jackson at his side, Cowell told a teleconference Wednesday, "it's not that bad."
Cowell said he values the proven chemistry he has with Jackson and Abdul, but that singer-songwriter DioGuardi is a qualified judge and, what is more important, has strong opinions that she's willing to express.
He's taking a wait-and-see attitude about the revamped team. The show returns for its eighth season Jan. 13.
When it comes to celebrities he'd like to welcome on "Idol," Cowell said his wish list includes Paul McCartney, Beyonce and Britney Spears. McCartney has so far refused to appear on "American Idol," but Spears and Beyonce took part in Cowell's British talent show, "X Factor." Spears tops his list for "Idol," Cowell said.
He strongly defended the show's producers against complaints by Abdul that they exposed her to danger by letting an alleged stalker audition in a past season. The woman, Paula Goodspeed, was found dead of apparent suicide in a car near Abdul's Los Angeles home last month.
He took issue with descriptions of Goodspeed as a stalker rather than a fan, saying, "We're talking about a tragedy here." It was one Cowell found to be painful.
The show's producers have "the utmost integrity as human beings," Cowell said, and he believes they were unaware of how troubled Goodspeed was.
"American Idol" conducts an open audition process and doesn't research the many people who try out, said Cowell, adding that he does try to remind prospective contestants that they face criticism as part of the process. The show is not "inherently mean" but is about making dreams come true.
On Monday, series executive producer Ken Warwick said, "I would definitely not put a dangerous person or person I thought was remotely dangerous in front of the judges."
Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081217/ap_on_en_tv/tv_american_idol_cowell_3
marigold:
An interesting article:
Simon Cowell looks ahead to Season 8
As the drumbeat toward Season 8 continues (27 days to go), the world’s peek inside the season-to-be continued this morning as hizzonner Judge Simon Cowell addressed the media in a national conference call. In topics including the format changes, the fourth judge and his own plans for the future, Cowell expressed a typically candid sense of uncertainty about how the changes would work out but cautious optimism that the season was shaping up well.
Asked about the addition of Kara DioGuardi as a fourth judge to the lineup, Cowell said, “I have no idea whether this is going to work or not, because I haven’t seen the shows back yet. The thing I do support is at least trying new things. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.”
On the wild-card round being added this season: “I think it’s a good idea. I wasn’t crazy about the process we went through the last couple years where we were given a group of contestants that you were bored with by show 5.” He expressed confidence that judicial intervention would help insure some more interesting personalities stuck around to keep things lively.
On whether the guys are stronger this year than the girls: “My memory of that overall is the guys overall, maybe five or six of them were stronger. But I’ve said this in the past and I’ve been wrong.”
On the overall crop: “My feeling having done the Hollywood round is that we’ve got an interesting bunch. Last year it became the battle of the blonds and you couldn’t tell one from the other. This year they stand out and are different and they are standing up for themselves a bit more. I’m actually optimistic.”
On rumors that the Emmys are adding a category for best reality judge: “It’s a good thing providing I win and it’s a bad thing if I lose…But I wouldn’t hold my breath on winning.”
On the new judge herself: "She’s got experience, she’s written hit songs, she’s got an opinion which is very very important and she talks a lot…She knows what the end product is.
"She’s not snobby about this kind of music which some people can be.”
On diversity in the contestant field: “Trying to be as broad and open minded as possible so that we don’t end up with 12 people from the 'Stepford Wives.' I think personality is as important as talent. What you hope you end up with is somebody like Fantasia who is not only a great singer but is an incredible person who has a great vibe.”
Inevitably, on Paula Goodspeed's apparent suicide: “We’re talking about a tragedy here so I really don’t like talking about this person as a stalker. My regret in all of this is we didn’t know how troubled this person is but we really didn’t know…The process is its open auditions, we don’t research people…I assume that everyone who audtions knows what it’s like to audition, i.e., if you’re not very good you’re going to get criticized.” He continued, saying that often before the taping of the auditions, the judges will go out and remind people that they may get criticized and if they can’t handle that they should leave.
On the producers and their involvement in the tragedy: “These guys have the upmost integrity as human beings. We're taking them at their word that they didn’t know she was as troubled as she was. I spoke to them after the incident they were absolutely horrified. These aren’t bad guys, these are the people who decided to do 'Idol Gives Back' and raised $125
million for charity."
On the two female judges ganging up on him: “What guy would like that? One is difficult. Two is unbearable.”
On the decision not to do "Idol Gives Back" this year: “From my perspective, the reason we haven’t done this is this, with what’s happening in the world I don’t think it feels right to tell people who are having trouble with mortgage that they need to be giving money… We will be doing this again it just didn’t feel appropriate this year.”
On whether the tragedy will lead to him restraining his barbs in the auditions: “I’ve thought long and hard about it and I think the answer to the question is I think we will continue the way we’ve always done. In the main I think we try to do it with humor I’ve always thought that it was important to show people at home that when bad singers come in and they’re not very good then its time to give up that kind of dream and get a normal job…When something like this happens it does make you take a step back but you assume that everyone who auditions for 'American Idol' kind of knows the score. That if you’re not very good you’re going to get criticism.”
On singers with previous recording experience: “I don’t think there are as many as last year…Really I prefer if they are kind of new people and haven’t had that kind of experience. It doesn’t seem quite fair. Having said that the Irish girl in particular was a great singer.”
On whether Britney Spears should come to the Idoldome: “I would love to have her mentor the contestants or to perform. She would be very very welcome.”
On his own "Idol" journey: “When I first did 'American Idol' the one thing I made sure I had was a return ticket because I genuinely thought we’d be off the air in 3 or 4 weeks but it worked out a lot better. They’ve been smart that they haven’t been greedy about it and they haven’t put it on twice a year because it would kill the process. It’s been the best 8 years of my life. Absolutely fantastic.”
On whether he will re-up when his contract ends after next season: “I’ll make the decision next year with what I do as an onscreen judge. I’ve got two other shows and it is a big schedule now and it’s hard.”
Link to the article: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2008/12/simon-cowell-lo.html
marigold:
An interesting article:
Fox execs speak — on 'American Idol,' 'Dollhouse' and more
Fox has a lot at stake next month. Thanks in large part to "American Idol," America's most-watched show, the network has for four straight seasons been No. 1 in the ad-friendly demographic of adults ages 18 to 49 — a reign that's beginning to summon memories of NBC's extraordinary run atop prime time in the 1980s and '90s.
But the TV business is changing and so is "Idol" as producers attempt to renew the show creatively and halt a modest ratings dip last season. Fox is also unveiling two new dramas: "Lie to Me," with Tim Roth as a "human lie detector," and Joss Whedon's latest sci-fi outing, the much-anticipated "Dollhouse."
Channel Island asked Fox Entertainment Chairman Peter Liguori and Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly about the challenges of the months ahead. An edited version:
Channel Island: You're changing "Idol" at a crucial time for the show. Last year the ratings were off, and the show's headed into Season 8.
Liguori: Last year we were down 9%. But toward the end of the season, our ratings were every bit as strong as they were the year before.
Reilly: Down 9% on a 7-year-old show: That becomes a headline about decline. But very few shows that age can remain that strong.
Liguori: Kara (DioGuardi, the new fourth judge) is someone who is adding a new dynamic. She can certainly go toe-to-toe with Simon Cowell on a musical basis, given her experience. We have a bit of a dynamic of girls versus guys (among the judges). Having seen her in action, she really brings her game and causes everyone else to raise theirs.
In terms of making tweaks to, let's call it the Top 36 [contesants], it's a little bit of going back to the future. We've done that in the past, and it really has worked. It somewhat heightens the drama around those Hollywood episodes.
CI: Many people were surprised that you didn't put Whedon's "Dollhouse" in one of those post-"Idol" spots, instead opting for the relatively sleepy zone of Fridays. Why put such a buzzed-about show on that night?
Liguori: It's a night where there's not a hell of a lot of competition. So we're able to get the show on there. We're able to allow the show to grow. The expectations may be slightly lower for its performance.
Reilly: By nature, this show has a particular kind of audience. That's just what Joss does. You could say, why "Lie to Me" [on Wednesdays] after "Idol"? I think that's a broader show. You don't want to put in something with more of a sci-fi bent.
Liguori: We think Tim is a breakout television character. We also feel that there's some aspiration to this show, especially in these times. This is a character and a team that is basically out to call people on their lies.
CI: On Tuesdays after "Idol," you'll have "Fringe," a show that premiered with surprisingly low numbers back in early September.
Reilly: We were never worried!
Liguori: Because of baseball, we tend to premiere early. And it is swimming upstream. The general audience isn't necessarily at the ready to sit down and start their fall TV viewing.
Reilly: This year there were two other factors involved. We had the presidential debates, which also propelled us to come on early. [And] the Olympics scored with the audience this year. It's very hard for anything else to really get any awareness. Everything we had heard and the feedback we had got was that people really liked the show.
CI: On Mondays, you've had "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," which has struggled for traction in its second season and is about to move to Fridays to join "Dollhouse." Why's "Sarah Connor" so ratings-challenged?
Reilly: Overall, the numbers are not where we hoped they'd be. And yet it has a very, very loyal core audience. Ultimately, moving it to Fridays, pairing it with "Dollhouse," felt like a cohesive strategy, two very compatible shows. Hopefully the Joss loyalists will show up.
CI: Fox's Sunday animated lineup has been relatively stable for years, but a lot of fans were disappointed to see "King of the Hill" finally retired. What was the thinking there?
Reilly: Just because "The Simpsons" has set a 20-year bar doesn't mean anything. What did we end up doing on "King," Peter?
Liguori: Thirteen seasons.
Reilly: How many shows go 13 seasons?
One of our real priorities in the last year is to really double our commitment to animation. We'll be starting "Sit Down Shut Up" this spring, that Mitch Hurwitz [of "Arrested Development"] created.
Liguori: That Sunday animated block is a signature Fox block. We're always looking to refresh it.
CI: "House" has suffered a bit in the ratings this year because you put it on at 8 p.m. as a lead-in for "Fringe." Why do that to your highest-rated scripted show?
Reilly: If you look at the cycles of the networks over the years, these are the years — when a network is consistently at the top of the game — where if you don't make strategic moves, you actually get hemmed in by your own success and then you're just watching those shows ride down. Most networks begin to move shows that are already in decline, further accelerating their decline, and they haven't actually platformed anything new coming out of it.
Believe me, it would have been a lot easier, and frankly we'd have a higher overall rating, if we'd left "House" alone. But with a finite amount of opportunities, particularly in the fall, this was the year we all decided, Let's use our assets, "House" and "Idol," to feed some new assets for the future.
Link to the article: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2008/12/fox-has-a-lot-a.html
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