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Post by Inside Australian Idol on Dec 18, 2003 1:07:42 GMT 10
US judge slams our Guy as a `donkey' By BEN ENGLISH in London 18dec03 THE World Idol program that Adelaide viewers watch on Boxing Day is unlikely to resemble the ugly circus that was staged at Fountain TV Studios in Wembley last night. The pre-recorded contest was reduced to a farcical slanging match between judges who ran their own competition for the nastiest diatribe. But then US judge Simon Cowell delivered the ultimate insult by describing every contestant – except US idol Kelly Clarkson – as "donkeys". However, Australian Idol Guy Sebastian escaped criticism from other judges and emerged from the fracas as a dark horse for the title. Guy said while he was pleased with his own performance, he was crushed by the panel's attempt to hijack the show. "I thought this was going to be a beautiful thing, a celebration of music from around the world, of different cultures coming together," he said. "Instead we got a slagging match that upstaged all the idols." Idol executives admitted after the recording there would be "heavy editing" to ensure the show did not offend Boxing Day viewers. The program will view on Channel 10 at 7.30pm The insults flew from the very first performance, when German Idol Alexander Klaws, who sang the 1980s song Maniac, was panned as "a cross between an aerobics instructor and a porn star" by the Canadian judge. The judges were equally brutal on Dutch performer Jamai Loman, who sang the Elton John classic Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word. "Jemai, I can sort of understand why you won Dutch Idol," said a caustic US judge Simon Cowell. "There probably are not that many good singers in Holland," he said. Canadian Idol Ryan Campbell's performance was derided by Australia's representative panellist Ian Dickson as "full of neurosis". "Somebody said you had a Buddy Holly look. I thought it was more like Where's Wally having a day off, actually," he said. By contrast, the judges dripped with praise for US Idol Kelly Clarkson who, since her victory, has already forged a chart-busting career. Cowell said her performance of Carol King's You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman showed she was a thoroughbred and the rest of the contestants were "donkeys". Meanwhile, Guy's R&B version of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World was universally praised, with some panel members even suggesting he could go all the way. The Dutch judge said while he didn't like Guy's upbeat arrangement of the song, his "charisma and voice makes him a potential world idol". The German judge said: "Guy, I think it's incredible what you do." Guy's biggest threat appears to be Clarkson. World Idol screens in Australia on Boxing Day. The winner will be decided by a worldwide viewers' vote and announced on January 2. www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,8197496%255E2682,00.html |
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Post by Inside Australian Idol on Dec 18, 2003 1:08:36 GMT 10
Guy Sebastian survives judges' abuse Ben English 18dec03 AUSTRALIAN Idol Guy Sebastian has emerged as a dark horse to take out the title of World Idol after emerging unscathed from the torrent of abuse judges directed at contestants. The show, recorded yesterday in Britain, degenerated into a farcical slanging match between judges. Australians will see the program on Christmas Eve. Sebastian said while he was pleased with his performance, he was crushed by the panel's attempt to hijack the show. "I must admit I was disappointed," he said. "I thought this was going to be a beautiful thing, a celebration of music from around the world, of different cultures coming together. "Instead we got a slagging match that upstaged all the idols." Idol executives admitted there would be "heavy editing" to ensure the show did not offend viewers. The insults flew from the start, when German Idol Alexander, who sang the 1980s song Maniac, was panned as "a cross between an aerobics instructor and a porn star" by the Canadian judge. South Africa's entrant, Heinz, was savaged by the Polish critic. "The only thing that's keeping me here is gravitational force and the fact that my flight doesn't leave until tomorrow," he said. By contrast, the judges dripped with praise for American Idol Kelly Clarkson, who has already forged a chart-busting career. Judge Simon Cowell said her performance of Carole King's You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman showed she was a thoroughbred and the other contestants were donkeys. Sebastian's R&B version of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World was universally praised -- some panel members even suggested he could go all the way. The Dutch judge said while he didn't like Guy's upbeat arrangement, his "charisma and voice makes him a potential world idol". The German panellist said: "Guy, I think it's incredible what you do. You have so much stage presence." Sebastian's biggest threats appear to be Clarkson and possibly Norwegian Kurt Nilsen -- particularly after Cowell called him ugly. The winner will be decided by a worldwide viewers' vote, and will be announced on January 2. www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,8195594%255E2902,00.html |
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Post by Inside Australian Idol on Dec 18, 2003 1:09:23 GMT 10
Abusive judges upstage Idols Ben English in London 18dec03 THE World Idol program that viewers in Australia watch on Boxing Day is unlikely to resemble the ugly circus that was staged at Fountain TV Studios in Wembley. The pre-recorded contest was reduced to a farcical slanging match between judges who ran their own competition for the nastiest diatribe. About the only contestant to escape the torrent of spite was Australian Idol Guy Sebastian, who emerged from the fracas as a dark horse for the title. Sebastian said while he was pleased with his own performance, he was crushed by the panel's attempt to hijack the show from the performers. "I must admit I was disappointed," he said. "I thought this was going to be a beautiful thing, a celebration of music from around the world, of different cultures coming together. "Instead we got a slagging match that upstaged all the idols." Idol executives admitted after the recording there would be "heavy editing" to ensure the show did not offend viewers. It seemed the show's producers had plucked the "nasty" judge from every territory and put them all on World Idol. The insults flew from the very first performance, when German Idol Alexander, who sang the 1980s song Maniac, was panned as "a cross between an aerobics instructor and a porn star" by the Canadian judge. The judges were equally brutal on Dutch performer Jemai, who sang the Elton John classic Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word. "Jemai, I can sort of understand why you won Dutch Idol," said a caustic Simon Cowell. "There probably are not that many good singers in Holland." South Africa's entrant, Heinz, was savaged by the Polish critic, whose behaviour grew more bizarre as the show went on. "The only thing that's keeping me here is gravitational force and the fact that my flight doesn't leave until tomorrow," he said. Canadian Idol Ryan Campbell's performance was derided by Australia's representative panellist Ian Dickson as "full of neurosis". "Somebody said you had a Buddy Holly look. I thought it was more like Where's Wally having a day off, actually," he said. By contrast, the judges dripped with praise for American Idol Kelly Clarkson, who since her victory has already forged a chart-busting career. Cowell said Clarkson's performance of Carole King's You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman showed she was a thoroughbred and the rest of the contestants were donkeys. "I don't know why you're here and I don't know why I'm here," he moaned. However, the best moment of the show – and probably one that will end up on the cutting floor – was the confrontation between Belgian Idol Peter Evrard and judge Pete Waterman. Evrard, with a rocker's long hair, goatie and an angry visage belted out Kurt Cobain's Lithium Stand Back – a track far removed from the usual bubblegum fare served up on the Pop Idol franchise. Waterman accused Evrard of fakery but in a lengthy and heated exchange the Belgian said: "Who are you to judge me to be real?" He may have had a point. Waterman was the man who invented a factory line of formularised pop stars in the late 1980s, including Kylie Minogue. Meanwhile, Sebastian's version of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World was praised, with some judges suggesting he could go all the way. The Dutch judge said while he didn't like the upbeat arrangement of the song, his "charisma and voice makes him a potential world idol". The German panellist said: "Guy, I think it's incredible what you do. You have so much stage presence. I didn't like the arrangement, but "you have so much charisma I think you are going to go a long way." Sebastian's biggest threats appear to be Clarkson and possibly Norwegian Idol Kurt Nilsen. World Idol screens in Australia on Boxing Day. The winner will be decided by a worldwide viewers' vote and will be announced on January 2. www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,8195643%255E953,00.html |
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Post by Inside Australian Idol on Dec 18, 2003 1:11:42 GMT 10
Life far from idle for Australian Idol Paulini Luke Dennehy 18dec03 SINCE Australian Idol, Paulini Curuenavuli has barely had a day free.  Busy girl: Paulini Curuenavuli loves travelling. Picture: David Caird Last night the Idol finalist was in Melbourne for a Save The Children Victoria charity event, singing two Christmas carols at Federation Square. This week Curuenavuli has had gigs in Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne, and will fly to Adelaide today. She's loving every minute of it. "I love the travelling," she said. "It's just great to be doing something after the show, instead of sitting at home. "After the show I've just been everywhere. Last week every day I was doing something." She posed in one of the unique trees on display at Federation Square, which are part of the Garnier Festival of Trees. They are on display until December 24. www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,8194162%255E2902,00.html |
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Post by Inside Australian Idol on Dec 18, 2003 1:12:55 GMT 10
Meldrum in Seven heaven after switch Darren Devlyn 18dec03 THE most turbulent year in pop guru Molly Meldrum's career took a turn for the better yesterday when he signed a one-year contract with Channel 7.  Music man: Molly Meldrum will take on the role of judge on Popstars Live. Picture: Mike Keating Just five weeks after Meldrum was left emotionally lacerated by a Channel 9 roast, he has crossed to Seven. Meldrum will take on the role of judge on Popstars Live, a talent-quest series that Seven hopes will prove as popular as Channel 10's extraordinarily successful Australian Idol. He will also appear on Seven's Sunrise, which is engaged in a bitter ratings tussle with Nine's Today, and is ready to host a series of specials with international music acts. Meldrum, who will combine his duties at Seven with his job as host of Fox8's The Drum, was visibly nervous after emerging from yesterday's talks with management at Seven's Docklands studios. "This is not about me leaving Channel 9 for Channel 7 because the roast (Toasted and Roasted) went wrong, and it's not about money," he said. "I have agreed to come here because Seven is giving me the opportunity to do what I love doing in TV. "This is a great high for me, but I admit I am nervous about it all. "It's always daunting starting something new, and it's a real challenge for me, on a personal level, to make this work. "I've given serious thought to how I'll approach the job on Popstars Live." In a reference to Australian Idol judge Ian Dickson's controversial judging style, Meldrum said, "I'll be honest, but I won't be telling anyone they're fat. "There's a means of being honest, but in a way that's not nasty." Meldrum said he thought of himself as loyal, and found it hard to walk away from Nine because some of its staff were "like family". Meldrum said he spoke to Nine's managing director, Paul Waldren, at the network's Christmas party last Friday, and was pleased he had left Nine with Waldren's blessing. www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,8195846%255E2902,00.html |
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Post by Inside Australian Idol on Dec 18, 2003 20:43:50 GMT 10
Centrebet PRESS RELEASE Idol bookmaker likes Sebastian's odds of being the world's favourite guy! Guy Sebastian is Centrebet's World Idol second favourite after receiving rave reviews from the show's judging panel, with the betting agency's latest odds indicating that it is a four-region race between America, Australia, Norway and the United Kingdom. American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson is Centrebet's World Idol favourite at 2.50 but Sebastian (3.50), Will Young (4.50) and Kurt Nilsen (5.50) are not far behind the best known of the programme's 11 contestants. The bookmaker is taking bets at 17.00 and upwards that one of the seven other singers wins the competition. "The London studio audience went wild for Sebastian and, even though the judges did not like his arrangement of Louis Armstrong's What A Wonderful World, they loved his style, voice and charisma," says Centrebet's Gerard Daffy. "He would be odds on to win had he sung his Australian Idol humdinger, Climb Every Mountain." World Idol 2.50 Kelly Clarkson (America) 3.50 Guy Sebastian (Australia) 4.50 Will Young (United Kingdom) 5.50 Kurt Nilsen (Norway) 17.00 Ryan Malcolm (Canada) 21.00 Heinz Winckler (South Africa) 26.00 Alicja Janosz (Poland) 26.00 Alexander Klaws (Germany) 34.00 Jamai Loman (Netherlands) 51.00 Diana Karazon (Pan-Arabic region) 67.00 Peter Evrard (Belgium) Log on to www.centrebet.com to view its latest prices. About Centrebet The world's first online sports betting agency, Centrebet's explosive growth continues 11 years on from its launch. Punters are flocking to Centrebet because of its better odds, comprehensive sports betting options and guaranteed payment of winnings. Centrebet operates in the world's strictest gaming jurisdiction. Australia's Northern Territory Government licenses Centrebet. Its Racing & Gaming Commission digitally monitors all transactions for the protection of Centrebet and its worldwide clients. |
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Post by Inside Australian Idol on Dec 18, 2003 21:07:37 GMT 10
Cherub season December 18, 2003  Picture: David Moir Guy Sebastian must die. I mean that. It's nothing personal, mind. God bless him and all, but enough is enough. And it's pretty sad to be saying enough is enough already because his music career has barely started, yet everywhere you turn his cherubic face is in your face. People in the office have been instructed to turn any magazine cover, article or proof sheet baring his image face down when I approach, lest I erupt in another paroxysm of unadulterated rage. All the best to him, though. He's obviously very talented, is a good boy with a clean image, a good heart and sound life goals. But he must die. Andy Warhol's much-quoted, much-paraphrased prophecy that "in the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes" still holds. Today, however, in the media-driven age of the 21st century, the big question is precisely when the timer starts ticking. It used to be at the beginning of a career when someone actually, well, did something. Now it begins much, much earlier. Reality TV shows such as Popstars, Survivor, Search for a Supermodel and Big Brother have so promoted a mass-market infatuation with the process of star-making that people often become famous before it's determined whether they deserve to become famous. Indeed, the very notion of deserving fame runs counter to so much of what reality TV stands for. The process is the focus. The process is not a means to an end. More often than not, the means is the end. As with Popstars, the premise of Australian Idol was to provide a worthwhile competitor with an opportunity. The problem, of course, is that the coverage of the competition was so exhaustive that by the time Guy won, it felt like 10 of his 15 minutes had already been eaten up. And it's not like you could ignore the show, try as you might. I did, but even the ads sort of hooked me. So when time came to announce the winner, I watched. I had to. I had this investment in finding out, even though I wasn't supposed to care. I still don't understand why, but there I was holding on after each commercial break until the Big Moment. The spectacle was compelling, like a grotesque, mutated game show. Thing is, once somebody wins a game show they take their prizes and leave. You don't have a camera crew following them for three months to see what they do with their prizes. (Say, is there a reality show in that? If there's money in it, somebody please call.) Yet the whole Guy Sebastian thing now has that feel. His victory feels like a natural endpoint, when, in fact, it's actually an artificially bloated start point. And that synthetic feel is not quelled by the much-reported fact that his album was recorded in less than a week. Just where on the stopwatch Guy Sebastian is right now will be determined by how good he is at follow-through. Follow-through, however, is something very few stars manufactured by reality TV are good at. Who was the gay guy from Big Brother? And what was the name of the chick with the bum dance? What was the name of the Popstars group that came after Bardot? So when I say Guy Sebastian must die, it really is nothing personal. It's the voracious beast of the mass market and the precarious nature of 21st century fame that will kill him. That is, unless he really does have something. www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/12/16/1071336952623.html |
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Post by afrozone on Dec 18, 2003 21:48:09 GMT 10
But only if you die first
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Post by Pippy on Dec 18, 2003 23:22:27 GMT 10
Who is the dickhead that wrote such shit about Guy. Seems he is too cowardly to put his name to the article.
He should be strung up by his balls...if he had them.
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