Post by Inside Australian Idol on Apr 12, 2005 0:58:29 GMT 10
X, lies and videotape
By Fiona Byrne
April 10, 2005
From: Sunday Herald Sun
Outburst ... John Reid
A JUDGE on Channel Ten's struggling talent program The X Factor has blown the lid on fake on-air fights and behind-the-scenes resentment.
John Reid revealed the judges have been urged by producers to verbally attack each other in a desperate bid to capture public attention.
The tension between judges Mark Holden, Kate Ceberano and Reid on last weekend's show was obvious to viewers.
Reid, who has managed Elton John and Queen, was shocked by the order to get nasty.
"The difference between the British show and this show is that there seems to be an interest in the judges attacking each other," Reid said.
"Certainly, from the producers' point of view, they would like to see the whole thing escalated.
"That is not what this is about.
"It is fair game in the way the show is constructed to criticise the way another judge is mentoring. But when it gets to the really vicious level that it seems to have gotten to, I think that is a turn-off.
"This is not a blood sport. It is a show to encourage young Australian talent, of which there is a lot."
Reid said he was also surprised that Ten chief John McAlpine had sounded the death knell, saying it was unlikely to be re-signed for a second series.
"If the show does not work to the degree that they want, they (Ten) have to look at how they handled it," Reid said.
"The show is absolutely huge in Britain. In Britain they did the performance shows at 6.30pm and the eviction show on the same night.
"It was much tighter, there was drama, anticipation, and excitement. Here it is stretched over Sunday and Monday and on Monday night you also have The X-tra Factor.
"I think they dragged out the preamble too long. We had too many pre-recorded shows from the auditions, lockdown and masterclass.
"People have got other stuff to do. They are not going to hang around endlessly waiting.
"They (Ten) should look to themselves rather than be bagging the show before it has actually established itself - which I think it is only just doing."
Reid said the best was yet to come, with the remaining six contestants rising to the challenges in front of them.
"We have got a few more weeks to go and I think people will be drawn in," he said.
Reid said despite the lacklustre ratings, he was confident there were genuine stars among the remaining six finalists.
"The day Russell Gooley walked in to the audition in Perth he definitely had a presence," Reid said.
'Then he sang. He has the voice, he looks good and week by week by week he keeps growing.
"Roslynn Mahe was a timid little girl with a big voice when she walked in to the auditions.
"Now she is very comfortable, she is sexy, and has shown herself to be a fine musician."
Reid said his goal was to give his contestants, Gooley and Mahe, the grounding to carve out "good solid careers internationally.
"I really believe that both Rosylnn and Russell have the capacity to record and perform anywhere in the world."
entertainment.news.com.au/story/0,10221,12811192-10229,00.html
By Fiona Byrne
April 10, 2005
From: Sunday Herald Sun
Outburst ... John Reid
A JUDGE on Channel Ten's struggling talent program The X Factor has blown the lid on fake on-air fights and behind-the-scenes resentment.
John Reid revealed the judges have been urged by producers to verbally attack each other in a desperate bid to capture public attention.
The tension between judges Mark Holden, Kate Ceberano and Reid on last weekend's show was obvious to viewers.
Reid, who has managed Elton John and Queen, was shocked by the order to get nasty.
"The difference between the British show and this show is that there seems to be an interest in the judges attacking each other," Reid said.
"Certainly, from the producers' point of view, they would like to see the whole thing escalated.
"That is not what this is about.
"It is fair game in the way the show is constructed to criticise the way another judge is mentoring. But when it gets to the really vicious level that it seems to have gotten to, I think that is a turn-off.
"This is not a blood sport. It is a show to encourage young Australian talent, of which there is a lot."
Reid said he was also surprised that Ten chief John McAlpine had sounded the death knell, saying it was unlikely to be re-signed for a second series.
"If the show does not work to the degree that they want, they (Ten) have to look at how they handled it," Reid said.
"The show is absolutely huge in Britain. In Britain they did the performance shows at 6.30pm and the eviction show on the same night.
"It was much tighter, there was drama, anticipation, and excitement. Here it is stretched over Sunday and Monday and on Monday night you also have The X-tra Factor.
"I think they dragged out the preamble too long. We had too many pre-recorded shows from the auditions, lockdown and masterclass.
"People have got other stuff to do. They are not going to hang around endlessly waiting.
"They (Ten) should look to themselves rather than be bagging the show before it has actually established itself - which I think it is only just doing."
Reid said the best was yet to come, with the remaining six contestants rising to the challenges in front of them.
"We have got a few more weeks to go and I think people will be drawn in," he said.
Reid said despite the lacklustre ratings, he was confident there were genuine stars among the remaining six finalists.
"The day Russell Gooley walked in to the audition in Perth he definitely had a presence," Reid said.
'Then he sang. He has the voice, he looks good and week by week by week he keeps growing.
"Roslynn Mahe was a timid little girl with a big voice when she walked in to the auditions.
"Now she is very comfortable, she is sexy, and has shown herself to be a fine musician."
Reid said his goal was to give his contestants, Gooley and Mahe, the grounding to carve out "good solid careers internationally.
"I really believe that both Rosylnn and Russell have the capacity to record and perform anywhere in the world."
entertainment.news.com.au/story/0,10221,12811192-10229,00.html