news articles 1 march 2005

[Inside Australian Idol]

Idol on the outer
Cameron Adams
01mar05

AUSTRALIAN Idol winner Casey Donovan's record deal is in question as she continues to struggle on the chart.

Donovan's second single, What's Going On, missed yesterday's Top 10.

The single entered the chart at No. 18, with only 2951 copies sold nationally last week.

Many major radio stations have shied away from playing the song.

Now music industry sources are suggesting Donovan's record deal may be in trouble due to low sales.

At a showcase of their 2005 Australian talent by her record label Sony BMG last week Donovan, 16, was not present or even mentioned.

Sony BMG representatives had not responded to Herald Sun calls over Donovan's contract.

Last week new Idol judge Kyle Sandilands slammed Donovan as "not being Idol material".

"Last year's Idol had nothing going for her," Sandilands said of Donovan. "(This year) I'm looking for someone who is actually marketable.

"I don't think the judges got it right."

Donovan's album, For You, is about to exit the Top 100: it is No. 98 this week after only 11 weeks on the chart.

The album has sold just over 70,000 copies. Original Idol winner Guy Sebastian's debut sold more than 400,000 copies.

Donovan's debut single Listen To Your Heart made No. 1 last year on the back of Idol, but has been outsold 4/1 by runner-up Anthony Callea's The Prayer.

With more than 300,000 copies sold it's the highest-selling single ever by an Australian artist.

Callea's debut album is expected to be one of the year's biggest sellers.


www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,12403849%255E2902,00.html

[Inside Australian Idol]

Idol falls off pedestal
March 1, 2005

SHANNON Noll is the talk of Wagga Wagga, but for all the wrong reasons.

A combination of 'flu medication, tiredness, alcohol and an empty stomach caused hiccups in the star's show in the town on Saturday, leading to some concert-goers assuming the singer was intoxicated.

The former Australian Idol star appeared before thousands at Murrumbidgee Turf Club, but after he'd performed a few songs he became unsteady on his feet and started stumbling over his words.

One concert-goer, who wished to remain anonymous, told Confidential she was bitterly disappointed by Noll's performance and also the fact he cancelled a scheduled backstage meeting with 11 disabled children following the show due to his condition.

"I think it's really quite poor because he's meant to be this massive icon and he didn't really leave a great impression in Wagga," she complained.

But Noll's brother Adam yesterday assured Confidential that despite his sibling's recent DUI charge, for which he's due to be sentenced in April, he was not drunk on stage.

"He's on a throat medication . . . after a few songs he went woozy in the head," he said.

He admitted Shannon had downed "a couple of beers" before the show but said the alcohol combined with the medication and an empty stomach after a nine-hour drive were to blame for the singer's behaviour.


www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1266&storyid=2737862

[Inside Australian Idol]

Farnham Greases the hair for new show
19:49 AEDT Tue Mar 1 2005

John Farnham's dusting off the leather jacket and slicking back the hair, because he's the one they want for a new stage version of Grease.

The Australian production of the 1978 film, Grease - The Arena Spectacular, was announced in Sydney.

Farnham has been cast as the Teen Angel - the role taken by Frankie Avalon in the cult 70's hit.

He is among more than 50 performers who will tell the love story of Sandy and Danny when the production tours nationally in May.

Craig McLachlan will reprise the part of Danny Zuko, played by John Travolta in the film.

It is the third time McLachlan will play the starring role, after previous Australian and UK productions.

Neighbours actress Natalie Bassingthwaighte has landed the part of Sandy, made famous by Olivia Newton-John.

Tamsin Carroll will star as Pink Lady, Rizzo, while former Australian Idol contestant Rob Mills will take on the role of Johnny Casino and Courtney Murphy will play Roger.

Comedian Magda Szubanski, best known as netball player Sharon in the ABC's Kath and Kim, will swap her pleated skirt for a poodle skirt and play Rydell High School mistress Miss Lynch.

Today Show entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins will also have a cameo appearance as Vince Fontaine.

Farnham said although the role was a surprise, he was looking forward to it and had already dug up his `50s records at home, along with his leather jacket.

"When I was asked I jumped at the chance," he said, adding he had watched Grease four times, but missed seeing the last Australian stage production.

"I'm looking forward to going through all that stuff.

"I grew up with that stuff, I grew up with those `50s songs."

Farnham, who featured in the 1992 Australian stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar, said he had been asked to choose a few songs from the `50s to sing in the film.

Szubanski also said she was excited about the production and her part as Miss Lynch.

"It's a really fun part and I think it's going to be great fun," she said.

"I can do whatever I want with it and have some fun with it.

"It's a real thrill performing in front of that many people."

Grease, which features the hits You're The One That I Want, Greased Lightnin' and Summer Nights, is still one of the most successful movies of all time after 25 years.

About 20 million copies of the soundtrack have been sold around the globe.

The Australian production will play in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.


©AAP 2005


news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=44941

[Elle]

Courtesy Courier Mail, Brisbane
1 March, 2005, Page 15

[Jesse]

Elle said:

Courtesy Courier Mail, Brisbane
1 March, 2005, Page 15

i find that very misleading, Moving Pictures version did top the Australian charts