Idol series
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The British talent search series Pop Idol has spawned spin-offs in over 30 countries, in the what is now referred to as the Idols format (as described by FremantleMedia).[1] As part of an out-of-court settlement between the Pop Idol producers and the creators of Popstars, international sales contracts of the format contain a clause preventing the local broadcaster from using the word pop in the local title. The Idol television series is managed by 19 Entertainment, a CKX, Inc. company.
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[edit] Format
[edit] Hosts
Each show has at least one host that directs the show, introduces the singers and deliver the results of the show. Some countries have one host, while most have two co-hosts. As well as judges, some countries have adopted new members to the hosting/jury party.
[edit] Judges/Jury
A preselected panel of music industry representatives tour some, if not all audition cities (depending on which show) to observe and advance the auditionees throughout the show up to and including the Grand Final. The judges offer critiques and/or advice after each contestant performance, which can be positive or negative; Nouvelle Star 4 for the first time in any country introduced a red and blue "score card" type system where the jury award a blue "positive" or red "negative" rating.
As many as 5 stable jury members have appeared in any one Idol season (Idol Poland 3), though some versions offer "guest judges" or special musical guests on the program to also offer advice.
The judges of some shows gain a lot of popularity outside of the show as well as the contestants, due to them being collectively known to have a "caustic" or raw & blunt attitude towards contestants' performances, notably Simon Cowell [2], Kuba Wojewódzki & Zack Werner amongst others.
[edit] Performance stages
Auditions are held in numerous places in any particular region or country that gives most people (audition entry is bound by certain legal requirements such as age and citizenship for example) the chance to sing in front of musical/television producers and if successful, they advance to a recorded televised audition where the show "judges" advance up to 300 people in some countries to the next round.
The Theatre round is where a specially selected group of auditionees from all regional auditions converge (always in the host city) to perform in three sub stages: a chorus line in groups of 10 where free song choices are allowed, a trio (or less commonly a duo or quartet) where contestants must memorise a preselected song to perform and choreograph together, and finally a solo A cappella round where contestants sing a song of their own choice without musical backing in front of friends, family, judges & fellow contestants.
Each stage of the theatre round, a number of contestants are eliminated and sent home by the judges, though in some countries there have been very few contestants brought back during the Wildcards show or by the disqualification or resignation of another contestant.
The Semi final occurs usually live or pre recorded (in some countries) where contestants sing in a television studio fully televised; again judges give critiques but beginning at this stage, home viewers vote via telephone and SMS (and in some countries other voting mechanisms including via Internet or via Red Button) who they want to stay in the competition. During the "semi final" week, contestants receive a workshop tuition with a vocal coach to prepare their song of choice. The format started out with contestants only singing along to a piano, though other instruments & even a live band have been introduced to some versions.
An average semi final usually consists of 18 to 50 contestants where they either perform in an even group of contestants (three groups of ten for example) or in a "heat" type semi final where the contestants sing every week until all finalists have been chosen. During the format, a Wildcards feature was introduced which re-introduced past semi finalists to receive a second chance to become a finalist, in some shows - the judges sometimes pick one or more contestants to advance as well as the viewers' vote. As of late, live audiences have been incorporated into the semi final round.
A results show of the semi final usually airs either a few hours after the performance show or the night after where the results are given. Three or four contestants are told that they may have received highest votes, though only a selected two or three are put through to the finals.
The Live shows (aka Mottoshows, Spectacular shows or theme shows) are an elaborate and spectacular version of the semi final. There is a weekly theme on which contestants must base their song choices, such as "80's Hits" or "Hits Of Elton John" for example. In a bid to counter sagging ratings, contestants on Australian Idol were allowed to bring instruments on stage with them and had the oppourtunity to sing original material from the 2006 season, a world first. Again a results show follows the show; this time it may include group performances, musical guests or extra footage of the contestants' time on the show. The contestant/s with the lowest polled votes leaves the competition. The live shows continue until there are only two contestants left in the competition or three contestants in some cases.
The Grand Finale occurs when there are two (or, rarely, three) contestants left in the competition. This is the pinnacle of the entire series and often highest rated show; also for some countries, it is venued in a prestige location (American Idol: Kodak Theatre, Australian Idol results show: Sydney Opera House, Philippine Idol: Araneta Coliseum). In this show a specially awarded song is sung by both remaining contestants which is ultimately slated to be released as the winner's debut single though recently in some countries this has been phased out.
During the extended results show there is usually group performances and/or special musical guests, up until the eponymous announcement of the winner of the series which is followed by an encore of the winner's single which sometimes includes pyrotechnics/fireworks.
[edit] Releases
Often, a studio compilation album and/or a CD single is made to promote the show. In some cases, DVDs of highlights of the show will be released. While these releases have sold well in countries including the United States and Australia, many countries did not release CDs after the first series.[citation needed]
[edit] Media/Sponsorship
SonyBMG is the general record company associated and affiilated with the Idols format in most countries, though countries like Iceland and Kazakhstan have affiliate labels as they do not have a local SonyBMG franchise.
[edit] Idol around the world
There are currently 88 winners of the Idols format, the most recent being Zbyněk Drda of Czech Republic.
- [1] Countries taking part: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Auditions were also held in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, and the United States, all in areas with significant Arabic-speaking populations.
- [2] The first season was known as A La Recherche De La Nouvelle Star.
- [3] Cyprus also participated.
- [4] Latin version with all the Latin American countries (except Brazil), where auditions were held in Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and Argentina.
- [5] Belarus and Ukraine also participated in Seasons 1 and 2.
- [6] FYR Macedonia also participated.
- [7] The original show that began the Idol series.
- [8] Countries taking part: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
[edit] World Idol
In 2003, a World Idol competition was held, with the winners from South Africa, United States, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Norway, Pan Arabia (Arab World), Netherlands, United Kingdom, Canada and Poland.
Kurt Nilsen from Norway was the winner, while Kelly Clarkson from the U.S. was the runner-up.
[edit] Themes
A notable commonality among Idol-format shows is the theme logo & intro style. Many different versions of the Idol logo and show intro have been created since Idol's inception in June 2001.
[edit] Logo
The basic plan for the logo is an oval with the particular show's name centered in a common font. Mostly the name of the show is written horizontally, sometimes part of the name is angled upwards.
The original Pop Idol logo featured an enhanced star in the logo. The star also appeared briefly on the American Idol logo, but was scrapped early in the Season 1 auditions.
The logo for some countries comes with an underline, such as Hrvatski Idol, Super Star, Hay Superstar, Nouvelle Star, Narodniy Artist & Super Idol. Turkstar has the only Idol logo to not use the common font style. The reddish Nouvelle Star logo is the only logo to depart from the standard blue palette.
[edit] 'Intro' sequence
The original version of the intro started with the dark blue Idol logo descending on the screen. A CGI human figure appears, with arms raised, intended to be the 'Idol' of the show's name. While the Idol figure sings, and then walks, images of guitars, microphones, cameras, and airplanes flow by, representing the life of a superstar. During this, the gender of the figure alternates between male and female. Finally, the figure is again in front of the Idol logo, raising hands in victory.
The US version of the intro was altered each season, including new sound effects and replacing the jet airplanes with waving flags. The flag concept was also used in the Indian Idol intro, as well as displays of famous national landmarks appearing in the first scene.
In 2005, a new version of the Idol intro was created which first appeared on the American Idol 4 season premiere. The intro includes a long section of the CGI Idol figure riding an open elevator past large vertical screens and displays, then walking down a stylized tunnel to a stage, where the figure starts to perform. On this basic template, the American and Canadian versions are customized, with past Idol winners appearing on the screens in the American version, while the Canadian version's screens featuring Canadian landmarks. The American & Canadian versions last for 30 seconds; the new intro sequences for other Idol shows only last 15 seconds, with no customization. As with the logo, the intro sequence for Nouvelle Star has a purple and blue color scheme instead of the standard light blue/light green.
[edit] Similar formats produced by Fremantle Media and/or 19 Entertainment
- American Juniors, a competition in the United States consisting of only pre-teen competitors.
- The X Factor, a UK programme (which has largely replaced Pop Idol) with a wider age range of contestants and allowing groups; the 3 judges each coach one third of the contestants and decide which contestants should face the public vote. Adaptations of that have spread to
- Arab World, XSeer Al Najah
- Australia, The X Factor
- Belgium, X Factor
- Colombia, El Factor X
- Netherlands, X Factor (Netherlands)
- Russia, Секрет Успеха
- Spain, X Factor
- America's Got Talent, a United States program with contestants of all ages and talents; includes singers who would otherwise be ineligible for American Idol.
[edit] Other shows with a similar format
- Albania, Edi Krasta
- Argentina, Escalera A La Fama
- Austria, Starmania, talent show broadcasted by ORF.
- Bolivia, Uno Busca
- Bosnia and Herzegovina, OBN SuperNova Music Talents, OBN SuperNova Folk Talents, broadcast by OBN.
- Brazil, Fama
- Chile, Rojo Fama Contrafama
- China, Super Girl, a girls-only idol competition.
- Ethiopia, Ethiopian Idol[3]
- Germany, Die Deutsche Stimme
- Germany, Star Search
- Germany, Popstars
- Germany, Teenstar
- Hong Kong, Minutes to Fame the popular talent show of TVB.
- Hungary, Megasztár, a youth talent search, is a format created by SBS management member Christoph Buerge.
- Ireland, You're A Star
- Israel, Kokhav Nolad (A Star is Born) is an unlicensed Hebrew version of the format.
- Lithuania, Kelias į žvaigždes (Way to the Stars)
- Lithuania, Dangus (The Sky)
- Netherlands, Een Ster in 40 Dagen (A Star in 40 Days), an Idol-like show with only Shlager singers and music.
- Panama, Vive la música
- Philippines, Search for the Star in a Million
- Russia, Sekret Uspecha
- Singapore, Project SuperStar
- Spain, Gente de Primera
- Sri Lanka, Sirasa Superstar, musical talent search.
- Switzerland, MusicStar
- Ukraine, Ti-Zirka
- UK, Popstars/Popstars: The Rivals
- USA, Nashville Star, strictly country version
- USA, Nuevas Voces de América, a Spanish speaking talent show for the Latin market, on Telemundo.
- USA, Rock Star: INXS
- USA, Rock Star: Supernova
- Turkey, Oryantal Star(Oriental Star)
- Vietnam, Sao Mai Diem Hen(Destination Morning Star)[4], a near copy of the Idol format.
[edit] Other material based on Idol
- American Dreamz - Universal film
- From Justin to Kelly - 20th Century Fox film
- Vina Bilang Cinta
- Superstar USA - WB television series
- Instant Star - CTV/The-N television series
[edit] References
- ^ Idols, FremantleMedia website, accessed 2006-12-03
- ^ Simon Cowell lied about not knowing his mean comments were being recorded, RealityBlurred.com, accessed 2006-12-03
- ^ Ethiopian Idol official website
- ^ Sao Mai official website
National franchises: United Kingdom (original) • Armenia • Australia • Belgium • Brazil • Bulgaria • Canada • Croatia • Czech Republic • Denmark • Estonia • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Iceland • India • Indonesia • Kazakhstan • Malaysia • Netherlands • New Zealand • Norway • Philippines • Poland • Portugal • Russia • Singapore • Slovakia • South Africa • Sweden • Turkey • United States • Vietnam
International franchises: Arab world • Latin America • West Africa • The former Yugoslavia • World Idol
