Australian Idol 2006

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Australian Idol 2006
Finalists
(with dates of elimination)
Damien Leith Winner
Jessica Mauboy November 26
Dean Geyer November 13
Chris Murphy November 6
Ricky Muscat October 30
Lisa Mitchell October 23
Bobby Flynn October 16
Lavina Williams October 9
Guy "Mutto" Mutton October 2
Klancie Keough September 25
Reigan Derry September 18
Joseph Gatehau September 11

Australian Idol 2006 was the fourth season of the Australian television series Australian Idol. The first episode aired on August 6, 2006 and concluded on November 26.

Contents

[edit] Changes to the format

Changes for the fourth season of Australian Idol included the cancellation of "Inside Idol"; a "streamlined" semi-finals (replaced with a variant of the 12 females, 12 males format popularized by American Idol); and the contestants will be able to bring instruments with them on stage for at least one of the final shows. Also, the fourth season's television promos promised a change in the viewer's role in the show, revealed to be an SMS service called 199-JUDGE which allows viewers to SMS their opinions on the judges' reactions.

[edit] Broadcasts structure

[edit] Auditions

The auditions for the fourth season of Australian Idol started in March 2006 in Mount Isa, Queensland, and concluded on 4 June 2006 in Sydney. Auditions were held in thirteen towns and cities across Australia: Adelaide, Albury-Wodonga, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broken Hill, Byron Bay, Hobart, Melbourne, Mount Isa, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, and Townsville. Many of the audition sites had a much smaller population than previous seasons' sites, and producers declared that they wanted to "unearth" rural talent in 2006.[1] The auditions identified 124 hopefuls, who participated in a culling process in Sydney. After group performances and a solo performance from each contestant, the judges cut down the number of contestants left in the competition to 24. Also for the first time, contestants were told, face-to-face and usually by themselves, whether they had made it through to the semi-finals (in contrast to previous years when contestants were divided into groups of three, two of which got through).

The fourth season's broadcasts began on Sunday August 6, 2006 with the broadcast of four audition shows and two shows for the Sydney round.

[edit] Semi-finals

The semi-final process consisted of two male groups and two female groups of six contestants over four days, who performed in front of a live audience for the first time (this being first season in which the semi-finals included a live audience). The semi-finals began on Sunday August 27, 2006 and ran daily until the results show on Thursday August 31, 2006. Two contestants were selected by audience vote each show. Eight contestants were then selected by the judges for another semi-finals show the following week; during the following results show, each judge selected a favorite wildcard contestant, who joined a single wildcard contestant selected by audience vote and the previously selected eight contestants to make up the Final 12.

[edit] Finals

The finals of Australian Idol started on Sunday, September 10, 2006. On October 15, the finalists had the option to bring a musical instrument on stage.

[edit] Grand Final

The Australian Idol Grand Final was held on 26 November at the Sydney Opera House as is traditional. The show included performances by Shannon Noll, Anthony Callea, Marcia Hines, Deni Hines, Guy Sebastian, Young Divas and Australian Idol 2006 finalists. Damien Leith was voted the winner, with Jessica Mauboy the runner-up. Leith's first single "Night of My Life" was released soon thereafter. This win broke the tradition of winner being in the middle of the photo of all the top 12 finalists.

[edit] Ratings

The show opened with average ratings (1.4 million) that were on the whole up from last year's ratings. The semi-final shows averaged 1.5 million viewers per night; the ratings remained constant until the Top 8 show, which averaged 1.89 million viewers, much higher than any of the Top 12 shows last year, and was the most watched show on Australian television for that week. The Top 7 Show, which was "acoustic night", was watched by even more - 1.92 million. The final was watched by over 2.1 million people. The audience peaked at 10.13pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time) attracting 2.4 million viewers.[1]

[edit] Top 12 Finalists

[edit] Damien Leith

Main article: Damien Leith

[edit] Jessica Mauboy

Main article: Jessica Mauboy

[edit] Dean Geyer

Main article: Dean Geyer

[edit] Chris Murphy

Main article: Chris Murphy (Australian singer)

[edit] Ricky Muscat

Ricky Dean Muscat (born in 1983 in Darwin but now living in Melbourne, Australia), placed fifth in the competition from Werribee, Victoria, Australia. He lives with his mother, and works at a chemical factory.

When Ricky was just 9, his father, a drummer, used to take him to the local pub where he would sing '60s hits for the locals. Ricky continued to develop his singing, by performing in choirs before joining a covers band, playing the local circuit and gaining invaluable experience as a performer. Lately, Ricky has found his voice, concentrating on urban music and house. Ricky is of Maltese descent.

Ricky also participates in the Western Region Football League.

Ricky gained first attention at the Melbourne auditions of Australian Idol 4 by singing Shai's "If I Ever Fall In Love Again" and winning the judges over to make the Top 124 in Sydney. Following a controversial falling out on day two of the theatre round with trio member Jorge Bec, Ricky gained a place in the Top 24. During the first semi final round, Ricky sang "So Sick" by Ne-Yo but did not accrue enough votes to advance.

On September 4, the judges advanced Ricky into the Top 12 as the first of four successful wildcard contestants for his performance of Usher's "Caught Up".

On September 27, the top 12 performed at Federation Square. This was a huge day for him as he performed in front of an estimated 10,000 people.

On October 30, Ricky was voted off the show following his performance of "To Love Somebody" by The Bee Gees. Dean Geyer was the second-least popular contestant.

Despite his departure from the show, IT staff from the Australian Idol website report that Ricky holds the record for the most active and popular thread on the forums in Idol history.

Ricky Muscat's Australian Idol performances:

[edit] Lisa Mitchell

Lisa Mitchell performing in Australian Idol
Lisa Mitchell performing in Australian Idol

Lisa Helen Mitchell (born March 22, 1990 in Canterbury, England) placed 6th on the reality television show.

Born to parents Angus and Ruth and with one sister (Nicola, a year younger), Lisa moved to Australia at age 3, growing up in Albury, New South Wales. Beginning guitar lessons at 12 and leaning towards the folk and rock genres, she played in local cafes and events as well as with the cover band Chrome, taking inspiration from artists like Missy Higgins and Clare Bowditch.

Lisa auditioned in Albury-Wodonga singing Howie Day's "Collide", with Kyle Sandilands immediately giving his yes-vote and Mark Holden saying "I'm in love" (three times). She then performed an original song entitled "See it in Your Eyes", to which Sandilands responded by calling her "a true star" and Marcia Hines adding that she "explemplif[ies] what Australian Idol is about." On the Australian Idol 2006 DVD is shown an extended audition featuring Lisa singing a longer version of "Collide" and an acoustic version of the song "What I Like About You".

Her semi-finals performance (top 24), "Diamonds on the Inside", by Ben Harper, got much praise from the three judges, most notably from Sandilands who stated that Lisa could be "the best thing musically that has ever came out of this country". Lisa advanced to the final 12 because of this performance.

In the Top 12 finals, Lisa received mixed comments from the judges in her first two performances, but received positive comments from all three judges in the following two weeks, after performing Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles" in the 'Number Ones' theme night and "The Joker" by Steve Miller Band in the "Year You Were Born" theme night. The next week, her disco night performance of Blondie's "Heart of Glass" was highly criticised by Holden, saying that she was now "hanging in there by the skin of [her] teeth".

Mitchell's performance of Coldplay's "See You Soon" in Week 6 for her long-awaited acoustic theme, brought positive critiques from all three judges, with Holden calling her guitar playing "reminiscent of an early Joni Mitchell". This was generally considered to be her best performance on the show. For the 'Up Close & Personal' week Lisa sung an original song entitled "Too Far Gone" which she says is "a little bit about love" and "when you're doing something and you think 'I'm no good at it, but what the heck'."

Lisa was eliminated from the competition on October 23 after her final performance of The Veronicas's "Revolution", which got a positive response from Holden and Hines but with Sandilands calling it a "boring version of a great song". She was joined by Ricky Muscat and Dean Geyer in the bottom 3. Hines told Lisa that she thought she was "ready to go", with which Lisa since agreed, citing lack of control over her craft and frustration with the television medium.[2]

Lisa Mitchell's Australian Idol performances:

Lisa has stated that (despite having received interest from record labels[2]) she will be going back to school to develop her songwriting and improve musically and also to get more experience perfoming, not wanting to be rushed into making an album; saying that "if you're at school and had to promote an album it just wouldn't work", "it would just be too manufactured"[3] and that she will wait until finishing school before recording an album.

"I want to get some experiences. You know the more things you go through the more you have to write about. I am young, I’ve got a bit more life to live"[3], she has said, also expressing interest in backpacking.[2]

On December 26, 2006, thewest.com.au reported that Mitchell will, in the future, be signed to Sony BMG, although this was later revealed as untrue. She will be, however, releasing her debut EP, in March of this year. [4]

[edit] Bobby Flynn

Main article: Bobby Flynn

[edit] Lavina Williams

Lavina Rose Williams born 1978 finished eighth in the contest. She is the older sister to Series 3 runner-up Emily Williams. In high school she became a member of the singing trio Ma-V-Elle and enjoyed chart success in New Zealand. As a professional stage performer, she played the role of Shenzi in The Lion King from 2004 to 2006. She currently resides in Melbourne, Australia.

In February 2007, Williams took over Ricki-Lee's spot in Young Divas temporarily while she went overseas to record her new album.

Lavina Williams' Australian Idol performances:

[edit] Guy "Mutto" Mutton

Main article: Guy Mutton

[edit] Klancie Keough

Klancie Keough (born in 1982 in Mount Isa, Australia), placed tenth in the show.

Klancie is a farm hand and jillaroo on her sister's farm. Before auditioning for Australian Idol, Klancie completed senior studies at The Cathedral School in Townsville and studied Commerce at The University of Queensland in Brisbane. After working in finance, she returned to work as a governess on her sister's property.

At the Mt Isa auditions Klancie was the first successful contestant on Australian Idol 2006 by singing "Always on My Mind" making it into the Top 124 in Sydney. During the first semi final round, Klancie sang "Not Ready to Make Nice" by Dixie Chicks but did not accrue enough votes to advance.

On September 4, the judges advanced Klancie into the Top 12 as the third of four successful wildcard contestants.

On September 25, Klancie performed the number one hit "(If You're Not in It for Love) I'm Outta Here!" by Shania Twain. Despite some positive comments from the judges, Klancie Keough was eliminated from the show, receiving the least amount of votes from home viewers for week 3.

Klancie Keough's Australian Idol performances:

In December 2006, she was signed by the man behind Keith Urbans success, Greg Shaw, to a management deal. She is rumored to travel to Nashville soon with him.

[edit] Reigan Derry

Reigan Elisse Derry (born September 19, 1988) is a Top 12 contestant in the season from Maida Vale, Western Australia.

Derry attended Perth Modern School on a vocal scholarship. Prior to Idol, she was a member of a Christian band called Djreamz.

Derry's eclectic musical tastes include jazz and drum & bass, she listens to and sings music from the 1960s, a little bit of progressive metal, opera, classical and contemporary jazz and has studied for the past three years with West Australian based opera singer Elisa Wilson. On September 18, she was eliminated from the show, her song choice was regarded as too obscure.

Reigan Derry's Australian Idol performances

[edit] Joseph Gatehau

Joseph Gatehau was born in New South Wales, Australia in 1988 and was a top 12 contestant in the season. He is of Tongan and New Caledonian descent.

Gatehau is the oldest of seven children, all of whom live in a single-story Sadleir home. Gatehau has played acoustic guitar and sung from the age of 8, but as the family was not able to afford formal music lessons until he was 14, he is essentially self-taught. Gatehau comes from a very musical family and heritage. His mother conducts a Tongan Catholic choir, in which several of his siblings also participate. His grandfather, Lemisio Lolesio Paunga, is distinguished by being the first to bring Tongan music to Australia.

Joseph attended a few schools during his secondary school years, but completed his final years at Ashcroft High School. As well as playing guitar and singing, Gatehau has recently started to compose his own songs, one of which was his audition song ‘Pretty girl’. Gatehau chose Idol over continuing his studies. Gatehau advanced to the top 12, but was eliminated from the show on September 11.

Joseph Gatehau's Australian Idol performances

[edit] Bottom three statistics

Date Theme Order from bottom (left to right)
September 11 Contestant's Choice Joseph Gatehau Lavina Williams Reigan Derry
September 18 Rock Reigan Derry (2) Ricky Muscat Guy Mutton
September 25 #1 Hits Klancie Keough Dean Geyer Lavina Williams (2)
October 2 Song of Birth Year Guy Mutton (2) Lisa Mitchell Jessica Mauboy
October 9 Disco Lavina Williams (3) Chris Murphy Ricky Muscat (2)
October 16 Idol's Choice/Acoustic* Bobby Flynn Lisa Mitchell (2) Ricky Muscat (3)
October 23 Rock Swings* Lisa Mitchell (3) Dean Geyer (2) Ricky Muscat (4)
October 30 ARIA Hall Of Fame* Ricky Muscat (5) Dean Geyer (3) Damien Leith
November 6 Audience Choice* Chris Murphy (2) Dean Geyer (4)
November 13 Judges' Choice Dean Geyer (5)
November 26 Grand Final* Jessica Mauboy (2) Damien Leith (2)
  • * Shows in which contestants brought instruments onto the stage with them.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Shooting from the lip", NEWS.com.au, August 6, 2006.
  2. ^ a b c Audio: "Lisa Mitchell criticises the whole Idol Television process", Tim Brunero Australian Idol podcast, October 25, 2006
  3. ^ a b "Evicted Idol Lisa Mitchell: in her own words", Who Australian Idol blog, October 26, 2006
  4. ^ "Time for some new Aussie faces to emerge", thewest.com.au Entertainment, December 26, 2006

[edit] External links

Australian Idol
Hosts and Judges
Andrew G | James Mathison
Mark Holden | Marcia Hines | Ian "Dicko" Dickson | Kyle Sandilands
Winners
Guy Sebastian | Casey Donovan | Kate DeAraugo | Damien Leith
Runners-Up
Shannon Noll | Anthony Callea | Emily Williams | Jessica Mauboy
Seasons
Idol 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006
Other
List of semi finalists | Young Divas | Australian Made: The Hits | List of commercial releases
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