It strikes me as odd that the writer of this AP story about the show biz success of American Idol contestants seems somewhat surprised by the show biz success of American Idol contestants:
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As the third season of Fox's hugely successful reality contest gears up for the May 26 finale, numerous former contestants — some dishonorably discharged — are signing major record deals, appearing on television and singing on Broadway.
The show "has gotten the public captivated," said Geoff Mayfield, director of charts for the Billboard music-industry magazine. "I think that the viewers feel an investment in 'American Idol.' Now, I kind of take it as a matter of course that this is an event that sells music."
And jump-starts careers:
William Hung, the laughingstock of the third season, already has an album out. The 21-year-old engineering student performs comical covers of popular tunes by R. Kelly, Elton John, The Beach Boys, Enrique Iglesias and, of course, the Ricky Martin numbers that made him infamous.
....Although Hung's popularity is based on his awfulness, "you can't blame a person for taking an opportunity," said season two finalist Kimberley Locke. "That's why we all do it."
....Locke just released her debut album, "One Love," on Curb Records
...She admits that "Idol" has accelerated her career. "For the rest of my life I'll have to talk about 'American Idol,' which is a good thing because I'm proud to have been a part of the show," she said.
RJ Helton, the top-five finalist from season one, released his debut album, the Christian-oriented "Real Life," on B Rite/Zomba last month. The Latin crooner is managed by Beyonce's father, Matthew Knowles.
....Former child star Marque Lynche, who got the boot on February 10, recently joined the off-Broadway musical "Fame On 42nd Street," based on the popular 1980s film and television show.
"The reason that I got 'Fame' was because (the producers) saw me on the show and they said (I) was perfect for this role," said Lynch, 23,
....Other contestants taking on theatrical gigs include Vanessa Olivarez from season one [two, actually], currently playing the lead in the Toronto version of the hit Broadway musical "Hairspray," and season two semifinalist Trenyce, who recently wrapped a national tour with "Not A Day Goes By," based on the best-selling E. Lynn Harris novel.
Article comments
1 - Sandra Smallson
What is genuine aboyt Kelly, Clay or Rueben???
2 - Eric Olsen
What is "genuine" about them is that they are succeeding in selling records, have strong fan bases, get radio play, have established personal identities (Clay is already being parodied), and have clearly made the transition from talent show stars to recording stars.
3 - Sandra Smallson
I don't agree with the established personalities and as for the rest, that comes with the show so I don't see how it makes them "genuine". Actually, I don't see how those things make anybody genuine. Isn't that just part and parcel of being a recording Artist? Ofcourse, successfully selling records is because through the show they got a fanbase. The question is can they carry that fanbase along as they make their subsequent Album/s? As they evolve?(hopefully). Let's see how their next Albums go. Just like Will Young over here whose 2nd Album is very good and having penned the beautiful "leave right now" he can fade into obscurity for all I care but he is living proof of what I have always advocated. You can come from pop idol and be as credible as the unshaven bedraggled suicidal guitar player who's been playing in small bars/busking in tube stations for the last 5 years. "Leave right now" is a beautiful song that any Artist would have been delighted to have penned or recorded., be them the stupid "cooler than thou, can't stand pop, hate Britney Spears" types or the always reliable pop musicians like Britney/Xtina.
The point is, I don't see what's genuine about Clay(Can't tell you one song of his) Kelly( Like "timeless" with Guarini and there is another good one) Rueben(smooth voice).
Clay is being parodied because even if he were a desk clerk he has the look and mannerisms of a person who would be constantly parodied.
4 - Sandra Smallson
Forgot radio play. Look, Radio may be swayed by Political agendas and what have you these days but they are not completely stupid. You have music from performers on a show where people vote in their millions week in week out. It would be commercial suicide not to play the music from the show. I think the days where radio play meant anything of note are long gone.
5 - Mac Diva
I think that was the first news story I read today, Eric. I thought there was cognitive dissonance, too. Also, I don't know that the 'success' thesis is really supported. What the reporter supplies is tales of rather modest achievement and of things that have not really happened yet. Those contracts signed may have disappointing results. Frenchy's Dream Girls stint was only for three far off-Broadway cities. William Hung is famous for embarrassing himself.
Maybe we will hear the names of some of these people in five or even 10 years. But, I don't think many will still be in the limelight.
Sandra, I agreed with you about radio until considering exceptions. For example, Limp Bizkit made it by paying stations to play its first single and album. Eamon is the s- - - with the teens with a song that gets heavy urban rotation even though half the lyrics are bleeped. I guess radio still has some power to determine pop success.
6 - BRICKLAYER
Kelly Clarkson's booty is a star.
7 - AWILDA OPIO
I THINK WHAT THEY DID TO JENNIFER HUDSON IS A DISCRACE AND NOW HAVING TAKE OUT LATOYA IS REALLY HORRIBLE I THINK AMERICAN IDOL IS A RACIST SHOW AND I WILL NEVER SEE IT AGAIN IN MY LIFE
I DONT BELEIVE IT WAS AMERICAS VOTE I JUST THINK THAT THE SHOW IS RIGGED I AM
APPAULLED THAT WE CAN ALLOW A SHOW LIKE THIS TO BASH AFRICAN AMERICANS LIKE THIS
I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THEIR WONT BE ANOTHER AMERICAN IDOL ANYMORE.I AM DISCUSSTED WITH THIS SHOW I DONT EVEN WANT TO WATCH RYAN SEACREST ANYMORE CAUSE IF HE IS GONNA HAVE A PART OF THIS SHOW THATS WHAT IM GONN ACALL IT A SHOW THEN I WONT WATCH HIM EITHER CAUSE I FEEL HE NEEDS TO SPEAK UP
8 - Eric Olsen
I agree that LaToya is far more talented, polished and appealing than Jasmine or Diana, but I think it just came down to numbers and constituencies again. I still think it most likely that Fantasia, an African-American, will win, as did Ruben, an African-American, last season. But don't give up on the show, Fantasia needs your vote to win what (I think) is rightfully hers.
9 - eri
Maybe i want diana , jasmine, or john as idol because they are nice,good,behaved, kids. They have simple, clean, and reputable home backgrounds. They are not parents at the age of 19. They don't answer back to the judges even when disgustingly humiliated by Randy and Simon. Can we let Randy and Simon sing so we can judge them too? I'm sure they'd croak like frogs. In fact they look like it. Is Simon gay???? He pays attention to clothes, make-up...
10 - wolf
What some people think is "genuine", other people think may be designed. I was intrigued how the song "I Believe" would have such an effect as it has. So I sat down and got a transcription of the chords, together with the text that I found elsewhere on the web - and here is the result. Now, look at each "beat one" of any measure (I tried to write each chord at the syllable of the text on beat "one"): You will notice that from fluffy goal-focussed words without much binding to the first beat of the measures (the song starts off beat on beat two), there is a progression from a magical dream-world (check what words are used) directly to a short touchdown on fulfilling (waited, moment, arrive), warning from peril (obstacle, dream, apart) - directly to the last repeating chorus lines that has first beats deliver the screamed "higher", "higher", "higher". To an average American audience with all of their expectations, such a song is like crack. This song then is delivered by a Southern siren Barrino who basically spent her life singing songs in a religious context - in other words, by someone who is proficient at this. If you compare the chorus lines of Barrino with the ones DeGarmo sings (both of them deliver "I Believe"), you will see that the winner of AI is by far able to layer the words on in the technically better way. I thought this would be a good contribution to this discussion, because "I Believe" comes from the general direction of Tamyra Gray, and represents American Idol vibes.
11 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Wolf, very interesting analysis!
12 - Bob A. Booey
Wolf,
Bizarre but interesting. I like the detail, whether it's accurate or not.
That is all.