Now that "American Idol" is THE biggest starmaking vehicle?

[chessparov]

It seems the formula goes something like this;

1) Have a televised talent search/competition.
2) Hook the viewers partly through hiring
controversial judges.

Voila, instant #1 pop releases.

So maybe more producers and acts should be doing the same? Hard to argue against success.

Any of the fellow sluts who follow these kinds of shows?

Chris

P.S. The best version of these IMHO is "Nashville
Star" IMHO. Buddy Jewel managed to have
a country hit from this show too.

[heinz]

American Idol does it best by involving the audience in "voting" for their stars, making it more effective than Star Search by vesting the audience in their choices. Then, by carpet-bombing the channel every night with auditions they generate a built-in audience for the records. The final 8 or so are dragged on over weeks of "finals". Best infomercial ever.

The controversy is all manufactured. Given that the contestants are "pre-screened" before they even audition, the crappy ones are put through purely to set Simon et al off on a rant.

Nickelodeon has been manufacturing kid stars for a while now. They also have a huge selling "kidz bop" series of compilation albums that have groups of kids singing the top hits. Nice little licensing gig there.

[smoothmoniker]

those shows are bringing in consumers who don't normally listen to music ... they're people who buy the Kelly record at the checkout line in Walmart.

-sm

[warhead]

I never watch it much, but caught the auditions the other day. It's interesting TV at the very least. This Simon guy is one slick dude, he makes money beginning to end and has a "sure thing" once he signs the "idol". Most record companies are nervous about things flopping, apparently he can rest a little easier since the people have already spoken?

War

[Bob Olhsson]

The main thing wrong with music today is the fact that radio airplay is no longer based on record sales which means effectively that the public no longer votes for what they want to hear. American Idol is proof that people still appreciate singing over just being an attractive model or dancer.

[PRS1JAZZ]

BLAAAAGURG........BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGURG..................

Sorry, I just threw up......

[chessparov]

My wife caught the "bug" on American Idol on season #2.
She passed it along to me during the Ruben vs. Clay finals last year, despite all those extra cheesy TV commercials they put the contestants in.

I "multi-task" during it to help keep somewhat sane.

Excellent point heinz on the public "investing" in their choices.

What's with all the melismatic misdameanors?
They make Mariah Carey sound like Karen Carpenter.
The gals seem more prone to this than the guys.

Chris

[chessparov]

Come on PRS1, admit it it-you have watched it and will watch it again!

Chris

[PRS1JAZZ]

Ohhh... I HAVE WATCHED IT MANY TIMES...... and get sick at the thought of watching it again!

[alphajerk]

who buys that crap to make it #1?!?

[Ckevperry]

The public. In the end, we're all employed because some segment of the population wants to hear "artist x's" music. Whether you love or hate the cheezy pop audience...I think it's cool that they call the shots.

[Mario-C.]

Originally posted by PRS1JAZZ
BLAAAAGURG........BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGURG..................

Sorry, I just threw up......

LOL
he he he, man, you are hilarious

[ISPdeRuiter]

There's so much "outside" in the world these days that
there is hardly any "inside" left.


ISPdeRuiter

[Bob Olhsson]

Actually "the public" doesn't buy most recordings. Eagles' Greatest Hits would be considered a flop if it were a toothpaste.

It's a sad state of affairs that American Idol is more effective at connecting musical artists with new fans than today's promoters and broadcasters seem to be.