news articles 20 november

[Inside Australian Idol]

Idol moment of truth
By Daniel Hoy
November 19, 2003


QUIET, contemplative moments have become rare for Australian Idol finalists Guy Sebastian and Shannon Noll.


Guy and Shannon get acquainted with the Opera House / Alan Pryke


As their moment of truth draws near - the Australian Idol final at the Sydney Opera House tonight - the boys have taken a break to muse over their extraordinary journey as singers and reality TV stars.

At Idol headquarters - having just finished another marathon 17-hour day - Sebastian and Noll look each other in the eye and begin laughing hysterically.

Later, Sebastian says of their giggling: "It was only the two of us and it was such a great vibe. We were so relaxed and it was our first moment to take it all in."

As the pressure builds for tonight's final, it was an important moment of stress relief for the pair.

They know that by night's end, one will be on top of the world. The runner-up could end up on the scrapheap with other Idol finalists.

What makes this scenario easier for Sebastian and Noll to digest is the friendship that has developed between them.

They performed together in the Top 100 and were the two winners in their Top 40 heat.

"We have done everything together and all the way through we have been joking, 'Imagine if it was us in the final two'," Sebastian says.

As the phone interview with Sebastian finishes, he supposedly hands the phone to Noll.

A slow country drawl announces, "G'day mate, how ya goin'."

In truth it's a pretty good impersonation by Sebastian, but one important idiosyncrasy gives it away. There was only one "mate" in the sentence.

"Yeah, mate, we are having a ball together, mate. The whole time we have spent together has been great, mate," the real Noll says.

That's more like it! Noll's speech is peppered with that great Australian word.

It would be hard to imagine two more different friends - one a country boy with two sons and a penchant for belting out Working Class Man, the other a single, smooth R'n'B singer who has women throwing themselves at him.

The tension between the boys should be building. There should be a hint of aggro as the competitive juices begin to flow.

Sebastian and Noll, however, are doing an incredibly convincing job of trotting out the "I will be really happy for him to win" line.

"Shannon and I are really close and we are just having a ball. We are both really cool to come second to each other and when we say it we mean it," Sebastian says.

"We have both achieved what we wanted to and that's starting a musical career."

Making the final two has given them a taste of what will be required if they are crowned Australian Idol.

Their schedule ensures it's near-impossible to find time to spend with family and friends, which has been difficult for Noll.

He was so desperate to provide a new life for his sons he almost auditioned for Channel Seven's Popstars.

"That decision (avoiding Popstars) was probably a good career move," he says.

"I started Idol, because things looked pretty grim at home, work-wise (on the farm), and just to try and set off down the path that might be a bit more financially rewarding than the path I was on.

"I had watched shows and heard people say they did not want to have their kids want for something and then not be able to get it for them.

"I thought about it. I had never thought about it before and I thought s . . ., that would be a terrible way to be.

"So I had this in mind and thought it would be a great position to be in, to give them the best upbringing we could. To be able to afford good schools, piano lessons."

Given Cody and Blake were his motivation for auditioning for Idol, his separation from them is painful.

"I have hardly seen my boys. They came down for 10 days at one stage, but we were so flat out that by the time I would get back they were in bed," Noll says.

"I am getting to the stage now where I will really miss it (Idol) when it's all over, but I am looking forward to spending a lot of time with them (boys) without having to rush off to anything."

Herald Sun

entertainment.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4459,7912562%255E10431%255E%255Enbv,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Guy 'the Fro' takes Idol crown
November 19, 2003


GUY "the Fro" Sebastian won the first Australian Idol crown in Sydney tonight, beating Shannon Noll.



Guy Sebastian in winning form on finals night.

South Australia's Sebastian, 22, beat NSW's Shannon Noll, 28, in the final showdown for the national Idol crown.
In front of thousands at the Sydney Opera House, the church-going singing teacher from Adelaide took home the BMG recording contract.

"I just want to say ... the biggest, hugest thank you to everyone who picked up the phone and voted for Shannon and myself and for everyone in the competition,'' Sebastian said.

"This is the most amazing opportunity to share our gift with you guys, it's just been the most amazing journey.

"And I'll cherish every moment of it ... I want to thank God for being with me, I want to thank my family for being with me. It's amazing.''

Runner-up Noll thanked the fans for their support. "It's just been overwhelming,'' the father of two from outback Condobolin said. (Stars turnout for final)

"I hope if in the future I get a career I hope I can make you all proud.''

Sebastian, the odds-on favourite to take the title at $1.30 ahead of Noll on $3.20 with Centrebet, performed his debut single called Angels Brought Me Here.

The single will be released on Monday.

AAP

[Inside Australian Idol]

This Guy's in love with you - and vice versa
By Tony Davis
November 20, 2003


The winner . . . the first Australian Idol Guy Sebastian, performing at the Opera House last night. Photo: Edwina Pickles

And the winner is - you guessed it, the polls predicted it - Guy Sebastian.

The quietly spoken, Malaysian-born church singer from Adelaide, whose afro hairstyle has become almost a trademark, has beaten Shannon Noll, the clean-cut farmer from Condobolin in western NSW.

Sebastian was named the first Australian Idol last night in front of an audience of 2000 within the Opera House, at least 3000 more on the forecourt, and up to 4 million television viewers across Australia.

Thousands more watched the concert on a big screen at Condobolin Showground.

The Australian Idol television show has been lauded as an important vehicle to unearth singing talent, and derided as Big Brother Karaoke. What is not in dispute is that it has proved the year's most talked about and profitable television hit.

An already-recorded single by Sebastian will be in shops within days, by which time the 21-year-old will be back in the recording studio completing an album due for release on December 8.

And after that it is off to London to compete in a 12-nation World Idol.

The local version of the international mix of talent quest and reality show has made stars, fleeting or otherwise, of several singers and the acerbic-tongued contest judge Ian "Dicko" Dickson.

It started in July with a claimed 10,000 would-be superstars queuing for up to eight hours for a chance to impress the judges. Within weeks they had been culled to 12 (11 of whom performed in last night's Opera House concert) and the highly lucrative voting process was in full swing.

Although precise numbers have not been released, it is likely as many as 20 million votes have been phoned and SMSed at 55c a throw. This windfall has been supplemented by advertising, show sponsors, marketing deals with the likes of McDonald's, merchandise (including Idol karaoke machines at up to $249 apiece), a hit single and album from the final 12 contestants.

More singles and albums are to come from the winner and the loser of last night's finale. There will be a concert tour and Ten has confirmed Australian Idol 2 will be filmed next year.

Although one of the most drawn-out shows on television, and although Ten broadcast up to three variations on the show each week, Idol has exceeded all ratings expectations. It has produced controversy (Judge Dickson telling contestant Paulini to "lose a few pounds"), anger (the sudden withdrawal of Cosima De Vito, and the return of some phone voters' money as a result) and conspiracy theories.

The top 12 included six males and six females, and that balance was kept right down to the final four, even though a recent ACNielsen survey seemed to confirm what most already believed - the vast majority of voters were young and female.

Despite praise and congratulations for the winner, it is far from clear whether he will be the next John Farnham or the next Scott Cain.

Cain was the solo act produced by the similar - though never quite as big - Popstars on the Seven Network.

Talented or not, Cain's fame was as fleeting as that of most other reality television instant celebrities.

The most quotable person the show has produced, Ian Dickson, insists he will not be trying to compete with the new Idol for fame and glory.

"I'm a record company person. I don't want to get sucked in or sucked off by television - because it might all disappear."

www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/19/1069027191335.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Oh, what a guy


November 20, 2003

THE 'Fro is on his way to superstardom.


From 10,000 hopefuls, Guy Sebastian emerged as the victor last night, taking out the Australian Idol title in front of millions of viewers and fans.

And as much as he didn't want to be "that guy who cries on TV" he could not contain his emotion.


"Biggest thank you to everyone, you gave us the most amazing opportunity to share our gifts with you guys," Guy said.


"I will cherish every moment of it, thank you so much.


"I want to thank God for being with me and my family for being with me."


Rival Shannon Noll kept a brave face during the announcement and seemed pleased for his new mate, holding his arm up in victory.


Now with Australian Idol under his belt, the Adelaide boy with a "heaven-sent voice" will be heading to London for the World Idol contest, where he will compete against international winners including America's Kelly Clarkson, Britain's Will Young and South Africa's Heinz Winckler.


On Monday, BMG will get a taste of how popular Guy is when he releases his first single, Angels Brought Us Here.


It's been a long journey for Guy since his first audition six months ago in Adelaide and one he says he couldn't have got through without his rival and friend Shannon.


As the winner of the competition, Guy is rewarded with a recording contract with label BMG.


Guests at the Opera House included all the Top 40 Idol finalists, Antonia Kidman, Sophie Falkiner, Matt "son of Moonface" Newton, Paul McDermott, BB3 crew, Nikki Webster, Kieren Perkins and Andrew Denton.


Golden Grove, Guy's suburb, came alive with thousands of supporters last night for their favourite homeboy. And to say they erupted as he was announced as the victor is a bit of an understatement.


And Mark Holden got the chance to say "touchdown" one last time.

dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1266&storyid=515948

[Inside Australian Idol]

What a Guy - our Oz Idol
By TV Writer SIMON YEAMAN
20nov03
HOME town hero Guy Sebastian has been crowned TV's first Australian Idol – taking the nation by storm with his superb vocal chords.

Before a screaming chorus of adoring adolescents at the Sydney Opera House final last night, the 22-year-old vocal teacher from Golden Grove was named the nation's singing favourite.

The wild-haired singer, as much loved for his 'fro hair as for his voice, has won a BMG recording contract and a guaranteed album release on December 8.

Runner-up and now one of Guy's best friends, Shannon Noll from country New South Wales, will release his own album shortly after.

Last night's final received an extraordinary reception, from the steps of the Opera House to the community centre in Golden Grove where hundreds of fans gathered to watch the man with the "voice from heaven" take out the talent show prize.

About 10,000 people auditioned for the show in May and June with Sebastian, a teacher at Gleeson College, Golden Grove, growing in confidence as the series went on.

He won glowing reviews from the judging panel of Ian "Dicko" Dickson and '70s pop stars Mark Holden and Marcia Hines.

At one point late in the series Dickson, marketing general manager for record giant BMG Australia, called Sebastian "probably the best unsigned talent I've ever seen".

Both Sebastian and Shannon will be on five-album deals with BMG, worth $1 million apiece.

Sebastian will perform at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on February 4 with the other Idol finalists and will also go on to compete in World Idol in London against American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson and Idol winners from Canada, Poland, Germany, Britain, South Africa, Norway, Holland, Lebanon and Belgium.

World Idol is expected to air on Channel 10 sometime around the Christmas-New Year period.

Sebastian was supported by pastors from his Paradise Community Church, while Idol rival and good friend Noll had moral support from, ironically, South Australian country singer Kasey Chambers.

Noll, 27, from the NSW town of Condobolin, met Chambers at the ARIA Awards in October and the two have remained friends since.

"The church has been the most amazing support for me," Sebastian said.

"Not only from a spiritual sense, them all praying for me and keeping me in their thoughts, and also just ringing me all the time, find out if I'm okay and if I need anything.

"They're just a great net of support, they vote too, which is cool".

Sebastian said before last night's final that he was "probably going to base in Adelaide . . . and probably just go back and forth just with my commitments and stuff and maybe have a place (in Sydney) I can stay, just rent a place out".

"The television side of things will somewhat be over and it's all about the music now," he said yesterday.

"That's what I'm looking forward to. I can't wait to get into the music studio."


www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,7920034%255E911,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

He's our kind of Guy
By David Rood, Tony Davis
November 20, 2003


Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian.
Picture: Edwina Pickles

After six months, the voting lines finally closed, Australia made its choice and Guy Sebastian became the first Australian Idol.

Sebastian, 21, the punters' favourite, edged out Shannon Noll, 27, and was last night announced the winner in front of 2000 at the Sydney Opera House and an estimated 3 million television viewers across Australia.

Over the past two weeks the pair have have battled it out over 1980s glam pop, big band numbers and Aussie rock.

Sebastian reacted to his victory with trademark coolness and charm, thanking all those who voted. "It has just been the most amazing journey and I cherish every moment of it," he said.

With banners reading "Shannon is my idol" and "Australian Guy dol", the forecourt of the Opera House was crammed with 3000 screaming fans from early yesterday afternoon.

In Melbourne, a huge cheer at Federation Square greeted Sebastian's victory. He was the clear favourite among the 200 people gathered in front of the square's screen.

For Sebastian, a church singer from Adelaide, and Noll, the clean-cut farmer from Condobolin, NSW, 15 minutes of fame has lasted that little bit longer.

From an original casting-call of 10,000, Australian audiences, with the assistance of, or despite, the judges - Marcia Hines, Mark Holden and Ian Dickson - had whittled the number down to two.

Asked whether he would quickly fade, Sebastian said: "I'm just going to be Guy. Whether that's in front of people for a long time or whether it's just writing for other people, I just want to do music for a living."

Last night's finale was punctuated with bloopers and highlights from the show's auditions, as well as crosses to Sebastian's home town of Adelaide, and the Condobolin showgrounds.

With his disarming smile and an Afro to challenge Leo Sayer, Sebastian sang Get You Alone, by Thicke. The laconic Noll, with his self-described facial "flavour saver", sang the Moving Pictures song What About Me.

The show's 12 finalists, minus Cosima De Vito, who created a stir by pulling out of the competition with a throat complaint, also took the stage for an encore performance.

The marathon production left no angle untouched in dragging out the suspense.

There were interviews with Sebastian's mother, Noll's niece, aunty and grandmother, teasing glimpses of the pair on the way to the Opera House, and a performance from wise owl and diva Marcia Hines.

The Channel Ten hit has been lauded as an important vehicle to unearth singing talent, and derided as Big Brother Karaoke. What is not in dispute is that it has proved the year's most talked-about and profitable television hit.

Precise numbers are not yet known, but it is likely as many as 20 million votes have been phoned and SMSed at 55 cents a throw.

This windfall has been supplemented by advertising, show sponsors, and marketing deals.

Sebastian will receive a recording contract with BMG, and fly to London for the World Idol series competing against countries such as Poland, Lebanon and Belgium.

For the die hard Idol fans, an album will be released in time for Christmas, and yes, there will be an Australian Idol two.

www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/19/1069027186602.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

No rest for Idol winner
By Vera Devai
November 20, 2003

AUSTRALIAN IDOL Guy Sebastian knows he has his work cut out for him.

The newly crowned television pop sensation will rise up at 5am (AEDT) today and throw himself straight into recording his first album.

The South Australian singing teacher was voted Australia's first idol over NSW'S Shannon Noll following a live two-hour telecast sing-off at the Sydney Opera House last night.

Former contestants and judges were spilt on who would win and go on to contest the World Idol series, to be staged in London and aired later this year.

When asked what was ahead of him, Sebastian said: "not much sleep I would imagine."


"I'm going to start my album and I'm really looking forward to that - it's the reason I entered this," he said.

"I think we have quite a few days of solid work ahead of us."

Sebastian, who after his win announcement performed his debut single Angels Brought Me Here, to be released on Monday, thanked all his fans for their support.

"It an incredible concept to think that people actually take the effort to vote and to support each and everyone of us," he said.

"It's an honour - that's all I can say really."

Sebastian also took time to joke with the hordes of media that converged at the Opera House proclaiming he would shave off his trademark afro.

"No I'm not. You guys all lit up then thinking you had a big scoop," he teased.

His fans dedicatedly wore fake afros to show their support including South Australian Premier Mike Rann, who described Sebastian as one of the best ambassadors the state could hope for.

Meanwhile, runner up Shannon Noll, from Condobolin, is looking forward to getting back to his family but said he would relocate to Sydney to start a new life. But not before thanking rural Australia for backing him right to the final.

"I'll go back there and say thanks for the amazing support the central western country people have given me and decide where I am going to go from there," he said.

A recording contract with BMG was also not out of the question.

"I'm going to put some pressure on some people that's for sure," the 27-year-old father of two said.

BMG Music spokesman last night said they would discuss the possibility with Noll.

Channel Ten is now planning the 2004 Australian Idol series.

Around 10,000 hopefuls auditioned to be part of show in July this year, with judges Marcia Hines, Ian Dickson and Mark Holden initially narrowing the talent down to a top 100.

The group was then culled to 40 before a final 12 was selected.

AAP


www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,7921690%255E1702,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Condobolin lauds Shannon
November 20, 2003


LIKE the sign says on the road leading into town, Condobolin is a "no-fro zone".
Shannon Noll may have come an honourable second, but he is a local hero out here.

And in solidarity with him yesterday, men in the country town were sporting a different kind of fashion statement - a distinctive goatee beard Shannon calls his "Flavour-Saver".

The deputy mayor has got one. With the help of a texta, even some of the local matrons have them.

But a girl's got to draw the line somewhere.


"No, noooooooo!" said 17-year-old schoolgirl Jasmine Malouf "there were some girls who did it but I'll show my support for Shannon in other ways".

Late yesterday afternoon Jasmine and her friend Nicole May, 16, were heading home to dress up for the biggest party anyone in Condobolin can remember.

An estimated 5000 people descended on the town to watch Shannon on a giant TV screen as he competed against the Afro-headed winner Guy Sebastian.

"We haven't declared a public holiday - yet," said hopeful Kim Jones, who helped organise the bash, before the show. Maybe they won't bother now.

The Daily Telegraph

entertainment.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4459,7921477%255E10229%255E%255Enbv,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Guy Sebastian our number one Australian Idol
Luke Dennehy
20nov03

GUY Sebastian completed his transformation from choir boy to pop sensation last night when he was voted Australia's first Idol at the Sydney Opera House.



Win for good Guy: Guy Sebastian and runner-up Shannon Noll share the glory inside the Sydney Opera House last night.
Picture: Edwina Pickles


The 22-year-old from Adelaide won the reality TV competition, leaving good friend and New South Wales farmer Shannon Noll, 28, to claim the runner-up position.
Sebastian's first thought after victory was of the next stage of his career – making a successful record.

Sebastian said he said a prayer just before hitting the stage and thanked God for everything that has happened in the past six months.

Over the competition, Sebastian has blossomed from a shy music teacher to one of the best musical talents in Australia.

He said the most important lesson he has learnt from the experience was to be optimistic.

"The most important lesson I have learnt is to in every situation, just have joy," he said.

"In everybody's life there are things that can get you down, and you can choose to live by the circumstances or you can choose to have joy in the circumstances."

Sebastian said he was overwhelmed before he sang When I get You Alone by Thicke because he had just done a live cross to his friends and family in Adelaide.

"I'm probably going to miss everything about home, my mum's cooking, singing at church, just everything," he said.

Sebastian last week revealed to the Herald Sun he was a virgin, and blushed last night after seeing a sign in the audience from one female that said "make me your first".

He said as well as making his own record, he could not wait to represent Australia in World Idol at Christmas.

Noll said Sebastian had a good chance of winning World Idol.

"He's going to take to the Americans what they live and breath, and he's going to give it to them," he said.

Noll, who will move to Sydney from his home town of Condobolin, said he was humbled driving up to the Sydney Opera House in a Porsche to thousands of fans.

"It was like The Beatles, something like out of black and white television," he said.

Noll and Sebastian praised each other and remained friends throughout the competition.

"He is a champion fella, and a lovely person," Noll said of Sebastian.


Earlier thousands of screaming fans waited for hours on the steps of the Sydney Opera House to see their Australian idol.

The biggest cheer was for Cosima De Vito who pulled out of the competition under controversial circumstances.

De Vito said she was overwhelmed by all the support of the fans.

"I had mixed feelings about coming tonight but there's no way I was going to miss it," she said.

De Vito arrived with another Australian Idol contestant, Daniel Wakefield, who also pulled out of the competition in its early stages.

Sebastian was immediately signed to BMG, and the record company's managing Director Ed St John said he would be talking to Noll about also signing him.

Sebastian had little time to celebrate - he got up at 5.30am today for promotional work.

His first single, Angels Brought me Here, will be released next Monday.

www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,7919973%255E662,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

I'm no 'Guy-dol'
November 20, 2003


Guy Sebastian arrives at the Sydney Opera House for the final.
Picture: Edwina Pickles

Australian Idol Guy Sebastian is determined not to become a manufactured pop star statistic.

The 22-year-old South Australian last night took out the title and scored a deal with record company BMG after Australia voted for him over NSW's Shannon Noll.

Australian Idol has been an outstanding success for the Ten Network, which broadcast the finale with a two-and-a-half-hour extravaganza from the Opera House, featuring performances from the finalists.

The show, that has followed similar series such as Pop Stars which created the now extinct girl group Bardot, has attracted more than two million viewers for each episode.

Sebastian, who sports a now trademark afro and is known for his vocal acrobatics, said his album would be "a bit of soul and R&B and pop - sort of a mixture."

Sebastian said he managed to have some influence and wrote three songs for the album, which he would start recording in the next few days.

"I actually came into this competition thinking it would be a manufactured thing like a whole lot of other competitions of this sort are but it's actually turned out to be not the case and I've managed to write and managed to get a whole lot of production ideas on it," Sebastian told reporters at the Sydney Opera House after his win.

"So it's going to be definitely not just a totally Guydol (album). It will be more me I think."

After being announced the winner, Sebastian performed his debut single called Angels Brought Me Here, which will be released on Monday.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Noll, from Condobolin, is packing his bags and moving to Sydney to start a new life in the big smoke.

But not before thanking rural Australia for backing him right to the final.

"I'll go back there and say thanks for the amazing support the central western country people have given me and decide where I am going to go from there," he said.

Noll said he thought Sebastian, who will soon fly to London to take on the World Idol series to be aired in December, would go a long way.

"I'm really happy for Guy and I said from the day I met him I would be proud to come second to him and I am," Noll said.

When asked what he thought about the first Australian Idol having an afro, Noll responded: "Mate I would say I wish I could grow one."

Meanwhile, Channel Ten is preparing for the 2004 Australian Idol.

Around 10,000 hopefuls auditioned to be part of show in July this year, with judges Marcia Hines, Ian Dickson and Mark Holden initially narrowing the talent down to a top 100.

The group was then culled to 40 before a final 12 was selected.

British program-makers FremantleMedia and 19TV said the international show would be a two-part special will be staged in London and broadcast around the world.

Viewers in each country will choose the winner by voting over the phone, with the results broadcast during the New Year period.

- AAP

www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/20/1069027201141.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Idol red carpet gossip
By Natacha Butler
November 20, 2003


NEWS.com.au stuck on some sequins and hit the red carpet at the Australian Idol final in Sydney last night to bring you the behind-the-scenes gossip.


Is Millsy on the phone to Paris?

WHAT will chirpy Idol host Andrew G do with himself now his singing contest duties are over? The flaxen-haired presenter was in a mild state of panic about his empty diary.

"We didn’t have a show (last Sunday) and I was sitting around my flat thinking, 'oh this is what the inside of Sunday looks like', I don't know what I'm gonna do", the Gee told NEWS.

Meanwhile, man-about-town Robert "Millsy" Mills said he can't afford to fly to Los Angeles to visit his favourite "pen pal" hotel-heiress Paris Hilton. Although Idol's answer to Ronan Keating wasn't spilling any bedtime beans, he did reveal he thought Hilton senior was "a lovely girl".

However, money won't be standing in the way of Courtney Act packing her make-up bags. Act told NEWS she has plans to wing her way to Tinseltown to pay Paris a visit in the new year.

Idol contestant Paulini Curuenavuli left her gold dress at home, opting for sexy white pants and sparkly top. The diva-to-be was as gracious as ever about being booted out of the competition before reaching the final. "You couldn't have picked any two better people (Guy and Shannon) to be there" Don't change Paulini.

No point offering Ian "Dicko" Dickson a Wallabies jersey for Saturday's World Cup final. Ol' Blighty's favourite record company suit was wearing his home colours on his face as he turned red with fury when asked about the Poms' lack of on-field flair.

"I hope we kick the Wallabies' arses in the most boring … way possible" he fumed. "I've been crucified all week for our boring rugby and I'm over it".

We are too Dicko.Yawn.

Meanwhile Neighbours star Blair was putting the 'Mc' back into McDonough by turning up in a kilt. He was unable to reveal if he had anything underneath it because he was too busy moaning about being mistaken for Shannon Noll.

So does the fellow chin-tuft wearer share the Noll's singing abilities? "Can I sing? Everyone can sing in the shower can't they?". Er … no they can't actually.

Mark "Hubba-Hubba" Holden whittled on about being a "cultural mongrel" again when asked about coining a new lexicon. But he was able to gather his thoughts to offer a profound précis of the singing competition. "It's about people who are actual singers who are actually singing". Holey Moley you don't say Holdey.

Philosophical musings were obviously the must-have accessory on the red carpet, even wiser-than-an-owl Marcia Hines had one to share. "If you want it hard enough no road is hard enough". Go girlfriend!

entertainment.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4459,7922157%255E10431%255E%255Enbv,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Idol final scores ratings win
November 20, 2003

Ten Network Holdings scored a major win in the TV ratings war with 3.3 million people tuning in to watch the final episode of Australian Idol.

Ten said the last live episode of Idol had smashed all ratings barriers to be the top rated program of 2003 so far.

Millions of people around the country tuned in to see South Australian Guy Sebastian claim victory in the reality singing competition over NSW's Shannon Noll.

Australian Idol's Final Verdict show beat the rival Nine Network's final episode of its reality hit The Block, which attracted 3.1 million viewers.

"We knew Australians would embrace Australian Idol," Ten's general manager of network programming David Mott said.

"Last night's figures, and indeed the incredible ratings the show has been delivering, underscore how in tune Ten is with its audience.

"Here's to Australian Idol 2, and beware of imitations!"

Ten screened back to back episodes of Idol live from the Sydney Opera House.

The first show, Australian Idol Live from the Opera House, achieved record numbers for the series with 2.53 million viewers.

The second show, Australian Idol Final Verdict, swept every audience demographic to achieve a 78.7 per cent national commercial share of the 16-39 year old audience bracket and a 65.2 per cent share in total people.

The total audience for the entire show peaked at 3.65 million shortly before the winner's name was announced.

©2003 AAP

www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/20/1069027238309.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Ten banks on ratings coup
By Ross Warneke
November 20, 2003

By 9am this morning, Ten Network executives will know how many viewers around Australia watched last night's final of Australian Idol.

The nightly count of viewers nationwide will be in, and industry opinion yesterday was that Australian Idol would average between 2.5 million and 3 million viewers, up there with the other television phenomenon of 2003, Nine's The Block.

Not long after the news reaches Ten's executives, the companies rumoured to have paid up to $100,000 for a 30-second commercial on the program will learn not only how many people watched their advertisements but who they were - their ages, incomes and even whether they do the household shopping. In other words, were they the right people?

Television ratings are a complex business, and each network's share of the $2.6 billion spent a year on television advertising depends on the nightly survey of viewers in just 3000 of the 4,889,000 households in Australia's five major mainland capitals.

In simple terms, each ratings point is worth about $26 million. A network with 40 per cent of commercial TV viewers can expect to earn $260 million more in revenue than a competitor with 30 per cent, although other factors can also influence advertisers.

Channel Ten paid an estimated $15 million to producers Fremantle Media for Australian Idol. It has recouped that from advertising. But it's the ratings and the impression that Ten is a winner that Ten hopes will influence advertisers in coming weeks as next year's major advertising contracts are negotiated.

www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/19/1069027186608.html