news articles 14 november

[Inside Australian Idol]

Relaxed tone for Idols
November 14, 2003


THEY have not reached Delta status yet but Australian Idol finalists Guy Sebastian and Shannon Noll are taking fame in their stride.
Yesterday's last public appearance at Fox Studios prior to Wednesday's Opera House showdown failed to attract the same vast crowds as their interstate appearances.

But that was a good thing for Guy and Shannon's biggest fans - some who had come from Newcastle and the Central Coast.

Members of The 'Fro Force, who met in a Yahoo Internet site designed for Guy, waited since early morning for the 5.30pm appearance.

"I liked Guy as soon as I heard him, he's awesome," Michelle Wilding, 16, of Mt Druitt said. She voted about 150 times this week for Guy.


Chris Smith, 21, and Victoria Edwards, 20, took an early train from Newcastle and were waiting from 9am. They paid about $20 for their afro wig from a supermarket.

"I'd just like to meet him up close and say 'hi'," Ms Edwards said.

Mirela Kanuric, 19, arrived from the Central Coast yesterday morning to show her support for Condobolin boy Shannon.

"I only play his songs and I've made a CD of all his stuff," Ms Kanuric said.

Shannon and Guy's performance thrilled die-hard fans. Shannon led with What About Me, followed by Guy's version of When Doves Cry. Shannon later sang New York, New York and Guy finished with Lionel Richie's Hello.

"When it's all over we're just going to get in a boat and go fishing," a relaxed Guy said.

The Daily Telegraph

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[Inside Australian Idol]

Today's text: thou shalt vote for Guy
By LAURA ANDERSON
13nov03

FOUR South Australian friends are spending hundreds of dollars to enhance the chances of Adelaide's Guy Sebastian winning the television talent show Australian Idol.

While Channel 10 refused yesterday to release the number of votes being received, or the amount of money raised by SMS or 1900 voting lines, estimates by rival stations suggest the figure for the ratings-topping series could run into millions of dollars.

The four friends estimated yesterday they would have spent more than $1000 on votes for their close mate during the series – a guy they describe as "humble, down-to-earth and an incredibly loyal friend".

Sebastian's legion of SMS-voting fans include the members of the Paradise Community Church who are encouraged to vote en masse.

"The senior pastors have e-mailed all the senior pastors in Australia to get their support," said friend Jules Egan, 24, of Hope Valley, who met Sebastian through the church.

Australian Idol voting has raised Alex Perilli and David Hall's mobile phone bills by at least $300 in the past month.

Sebastian revealed yesterday his Christian convictions, including abstaining from sex before marriage, had helped him to focus on the competition.

"I've sort of made the decision to not do it before I get married, and it's hard, let me tell you," he said.

"It really does make you stronger, because being in this position, you'd surely crack."

He said his beliefs about not taking drugs, not binge-drinking or "sleeping around" had meant he was totally focused.

Guy will go head-to-head with Shannon Noll, 27, from rural New South Wales, in the Grand Final at the Sydney Opera House next Wednesday.

However, Adelaide residents will find out half an hour after Sydney and Melbourne due to a 7.30pm delayed telecast.

A spokeswoman for Channel 10 said the final would not be shown live in Adelaide because there had been too much promotion of the 7.30pm timeslot and changes would not be able to be made in time for TV guides.

To vote for Guy, SMS his name to 188 99 66.

Final SMS voting ends at 8pm on November 19.


www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,7851968%255E2682,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Australian Idol winner to take on the world
DPA
14nov03

BRITISH commercial television companies announced yesterday a World Idol contest between winners of the worldwide Pop Idol shows would be screened in a number of countries around Christmas Day.


Who will it be? Shannon Noll and Guy Sebastian check out Fox Studio in Sydney yesterday.
Picture: Craig Greenhill


Program makers FremantleMedia and 19TV made the announcement in London, but did not provide scheduling details.
In the show, British winner Will Young will take on American Idol Kelly Clarkson and another nine winners.

The two-part special is to be staged in London and broadcast around the world, the first part going out "in late December".

Viewers in each country will choose the winner through a phone vote with the results broadcast over New Year.

The Idol format, devised in Britain, has been sold to more than 20 countries.

Show creator Simon Fuller said: "When I dreamt up the idea of Pop Idol, I always saw it is a global concept, and so I'm delighted to see World Idol being made here in London.

"The last two years have been fantastic and it is incredibly satisfying to see a British TV idea being so successful on a global stage," he said.

Apart from Britain and the United States, the countries and regions taking part are Australia, South Africa, Poland, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, the Middle East, Belgium and Canada.

Also yesterday, rival television company Celador - originators of the Who Wants to be a Millionaire shows - said it would make a World's Greatest Singer program next year.

In the show, 24 finalists from around the world will take part in a contest to be screened next October. The show will differ from the Pop Idol format in that there will be no age limit on those competing.

[Inside Australian Idol]

World Idol winner planned
November 14, 2003


BRITISH commercial television companies announced yesterday a World Idol contest between winners of the worldwide Pop Idol shows would be screened in a number of countries around Christmas Day.


Shannon Noll belts out a tune in Sydney.

Program makers FremantleMedia and 19TV made the announcement in London, but did not provide scheduling details.

In the show, British winner Will Young will take on American Idol Kelly Clarkson and another nine winners.

The two-part special is to be staged in London and broadcast around the world, the first part going out "in late December".

Viewers in each country will choose the winner through a phone vote with the results broadcast over New Year.

The Idol format, devised in Britain, has been sold to more than 20 countries.

Show creator Simon Fuller said: "When I dreamt up the idea of Pop Idol, I always saw it is a global concept, and so I'm delighted to see World Idol being made here in London.

"The last two years have been fantastic and it is incredibly satisfying to see a British TV idea being so successful on a global stage," he said.

Apart from Britain and the United States, the countries and regions taking part are Australia, South Africa, Poland, Netherlands, Germany, Norway, the Middle East, Belgium and Canada.

Also yesterday, rival television company Celador - originators of the Who Wants to be a Millionaire shows - said it would make a World's Greatest Singer program next year.

In the show, 24 finalists from around the world will take part in a contest to be screened next October. The show will differ from the Pop Idol format in that there will be no age limit on those competing.

Herald Sun

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