news articles 26 september

[Inside Australian Idol]

Dilemma for TV bosses
By Yvette McGuire
September 26, 2003

FORGET the All Blacks and England, the Australian Wallabies' World Cup rugby campaign may be scuttled by a couple of 20-somethings armed only with a microphone.

In a nightmare for programmers at Southern Cross Television, two of the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals plus a semi-final will clash with the station's hugely popular final two shows of Australian Idol.

The biggest event in world sport this year is in danger of being dropped from the schedule making Tasmanian fans the only ones in the country not to see the finals action live.

Last Sunday, Southern Cross was flooded with complaints after leaving the live tennis coverage of Lleyton Hewitt's come-from-behind win against Roger Federer which clinched a spot in the Davis Cup final.

Instead, Southern Cross, which takes programs from both Channel 7 (rugby, tennis) and Channel 10 (Australian Idol, AFL) chose to leave the historic match to take its local news bulletin followed by a pre-recorded episode of The Mole and then the live edition of Australian Idol.

Southern Cross program manager Gill Wilson said yesterday decisions over the clashing of programs would not be made until closer to the event.

"Times will be confirmed each week [for the rugby] with one of the factors how it is rating," Ms Wilson said.

Ms Wilson said she accepted that whatever decision was made, not everyone would be happy.

Southern Cross intends to screen several games live in Tasmania throughout the World Cup with others on delay and further highlights packages, similar to what will take place in Victoria.

Ms Wilson said last weekend's tennis was rating at 79,000 when it went to the news, however the numbers went up significantly during The Mole (126,000) and Australian Idol (143,000).

The first major test for TV rugby fans will come on Sunday, November 2, with the blockbuster pool match between New Zealand and Wales scheduled for an 8.30pm start.

The following Sunday, quarter-final three is slated for a 6.30pm start with quarter-final four following directly after at 9pm.

On November 16, the second semi is scheduled to be shown live from 7.30pm.

Australian Idol screens live on Sunday nights from 7.30pm.

Tasmania will host one match of the World Cup at York Park between minnows Namibia and Romania on October 30.

The Mercury


www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,7378703%255E28477,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Idol Kelly takes on 'Stina
From The Eye
September 26, 2003


IF the Australian Idol finalists are looking for a role model, perhaps American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson is a good one to start with.

Impressive: Kelly Clarkson

The 21-year-old has impressed everybody she's met on her Aussie promo trip.

She hit the headlines when fellow starlet Christina Aguilera got all wound up that Clarkson recorded Miss Independent, a song that Aguilera had co-written and had no idea it had been given to Clarkson.

A diplomatic Clarkson said she respected Aguilera but hadn't known that she was co-writer.

"Somebody gave me this song, and it was half done and I was, like, cool," she said.

"The hook sort of had this Christina Aguilera spirit, but nobody ever told me.

"I think they were kind of nervous that I wouldn't want it because of that, but I think that is completely preposterous because if it's a good song, I don't care."

But she did have one small parting shot at Aguilera as the song had become a worldwide hit.

"She is getting paid a lot of money for not even doing it, so I mean she's probably loving it," Clarkson said.

The Daily Telegraph

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