Welcome to the world of Pop Idol (or American Idol as you guys now call
it)...
Although it makes entertaining viewing - watch out for the greatest
music-biz stitch up ever made.
Run by BMG - this is the perfect business scam for them:
a) able to pick up from the scores of young hopefuls across the country the
most ideal potentional pop-stars
b) get unlimited publicity for them that would otherwise cost millions via
their own 10-week TV show
c) Even better get the public to vote for their favourite (and pay for the
priviledge of chosing!) = paid-for market research/focus testing
d) have a "mean" judge so that the public automatically supports the
"underdog" contensants
e) the prize = an exclusive contract with BMG for the winner (+ the runner
up!). Release guaranteed no.1 single/album from all the publicity
f) merchandising + tours featuring the losers.
g) Get to repeat the whole thing again in another year when everyone's bored
of the last winners.
Bingo - watch that cash flow! It worked here!
Tom
on 2/7/02 4:37 pm, Steven Catanzaro at stevencatanzaro@sprintmail.com wrote:
> Did anyone happen to catch the show "American Idol?" I haven't seen it, but
> I saw an "Today" interview with one of the judges, a guy named Simon...
>
> American Idol is a Star Search meets Survivor type thing. Simon, who works
> for the company producing the show, BMG has gotten a reputation for being
> "brutally honest" with the hopefuls auditioning.
>
> Here's 2 things he said on "Today";
>
> "I've been holding auditions for 25 years, in many ways worse than these
> because many times they don't even get to sing. We take one look at them and
> tell them to do a U-turn."
>
> When asked how important a performer's looks are, and that how BMG plans to
> sink $3 million into the winner, he said...
>
> "We want a star. It's very important. I mean the show is called American
> Idol. Elvis Presley was an American Idol, and he was a good looking guy."
>
> host: What about Aretha Franklin?
>
> Simon: I don't think she'd win this competition.
>
> Other judge: But she IS an American idol...
>
> Simon: I don't think she'd win this competition.
>
>
>
>
>
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