Category — Australian Idol

Poor Jay Dee Springbett, he was a last minute replacement judge on Australian Idol for disgraced radio personality Kyle Sandliands in 2009, and it would appear he is about to be dumped from the show.

An article on news.com.au suggests the judge is not coming back to the show, and that Channel Ten are looking for bigger and better replacement.

Australian Idol has not been officially signed yet, but it is believed it will be. It has been suggested that Kyle might be coming back to the show.

Jessica Mauboy’s publicist muAst have been the only one working this week as every paper I picked up over the past few days there has been a story about her in it. Today was no exception with this article in the Sunday Telegraph saying she wanted to win three or four Aria’s this year.

Also she was mentioned in this article in the Saturday Daily Telegraph about Australians who will shape 2010. The Australia Idol runner up will be in a movie called Bran Nue Dae. She has also said she hopes to do further acting work.

In other Australian Idol alumni news Kate DeAraugo is actually dating producer and guitarist France Millo, they met when he was a “roadie” for the Young Divas. They have been dating three years, and are apparently close to getting engaged.

Guy Sebastian has also had a great year and he tweeted today “Desperate Housewives and Brothers and sisters are also using Like it Like That in the US!! Unreal!” and “Thanks to everyone for making Like it Like That the highest selling single of 2009!! Im blown away.”

Ajay Rochester is again getting bad PR because of alleged bad debts. This one is about a non-paid hairdressers bill. She claims it was meant to be a “contra deal” whatever that means. (Source Sunday Telegraph)

Susan Boyle the runner up of Britain’s Got Talent has the highest selling album of 2009. She also has said she would like to tour Australia this year. (Source Herald Sun)

Mark Holden thinks that new Australian Idol judge Jay Dee Springbett will get better. Somehow I doubt he will get a second season. There is no news yet on whether Australian Idol will get the go ahead this year. (Source: Herald Sun)

I was a bit perplexed about this article in the Sunday Telegraph where it said that Australian Idol winner Stan Walker’s mother would be negotiating his record deal with Sony Music.

The good news is that Stan is determined to get some money for his album of the songs that he performed on the show, something previous winner Damien Leith, and runner-up Jessica Mauboy did not get.

However is his mother the right person to do this?

The article states:

Walker, 19, has set up his own company – Stan Walker Music Pty Ltd, headed by his mum, April – to negotiate his record deal with Sony Music so he doesn’t end up like Leith.

I am always a bit wary about relatives getting involved in business deals, especially when they have no experience in the area. Yes she would have Stan’s best interest’s at heart,  but will that be enough?

The Sunday Telegraph are hinting that all may be forgiven with fallen Australian Idol judge Kyle Sandilands, and they may be trying to tempt him back to the show.

The article states that “confidential” research taken by Fremantle Media showed the viewers did not take to new judge Jay Dee Springbett and they found Marcia Hines “bland”. Yes they paid for that, I would have told them that for free.

It would appear they were unphased by the snarky tones of the pair twittering during the show this year and could welcome him back into the fold.

I wonder if they will also get rid of Marcia, maybe they could replace her with Julie Zemiro. Now that would be a positive thing.

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Has Kate D’Arrugio been wiped from the annals of Australian Idol history? In the opening credits when they flashed through talent that has been through the show, she was not there. Natalie Gauci, and Casey Donovan were.

Well there are still fans of Australian Idol, as they packed the Opera House Forecourt in this sweltering heat, however a fair whack of them were Stan Walker’s family.

The opening group song had energy, but it did highlight that there was not a lot of talent this year, however at least this year the top two were probably the best performers of the series. Unfortunately Ashleigh Toole we never got to know you. I did like the girls song When Love Take Over, and Sabrina Batshon does have a set of pipes on her. The boys song did not do for me quite so much, Casey Barnes must take the title of blandest Australian Idol ever, well until next year.

I did find it mildly amusing that Ian Moss was singing Michael Jackson’s Beat It. I am presuming this is Idol’s tribute to MJ, but seriously why are we still paying homage to this guy? Yes he wrote and perform some great songs, but his behaviour in his personal life is seriously disturbing. Considering Kyle Sandilands was wiped from Idol for inappropriate behaviour, shouldn’t Michael Jackson be as well?

Poor Ricki-Lee looked like she was being knocked around by the heat, and Twitter exploded with opinions about her dress, and the necessity of her to climb out of a bed at the beginning of the song.

Guy Sebastian had to perform by himself because Jordin Sparks from American Idol had to have an emergency appendectomy. A pity Adam Lambert couldn’t fly out to replace her.

Anyway it was not surprise when Stan Walker was named this year’s Australian Idol – a well deserved winner, as he was the one who did give us the most Australian Idol “moments” this series.

The question of what next for Stan and Hayley will quickly be replaced with the question of what next for Australian Idol.

Australian Idol judge Jay Dee Springbett is finally getting into his judging groove, and in an article in the latest edition of TV Week he gives his views on this  year’s show.

This is what he said:

Who do you think will win?

Stan

Who would you be most excited about producing a record with?

My qualities would be best suited to Stan’s record, with my contacts and connections. So from my personal point of view, it would probably be Stan. But Stan or Hayley’s record, I could do a great job on either.

Who are you surprised stuck it out throughout the competition?

I’m surprised at one person – James. He was almost gone, then Toby gave his bloody speech!

Who do you think should still be standing?
I would’ve liked to still see Ashleigh Toole, who was the first one kicked off – she was a dark horse, actually. I think there was more to her than met the eye. And Kate Cook – it would’ve been and interesting angle to make a little country record, and she’s a really great girl.

Which contestant would have been the hardest ot produce an album for?

I think Sabrina would have been a challenge. And for me, Toby. I know the nation loved him, but I think he’s two or three years away from finding himself, musically.

How have you found the public criticism of your time on the show?

The rivalry with Dicko was schoolboy antics, but the media reception when I first got into this was a bit harsh, and that threw me. But I just didn’t read the press and it went away, so it was  as easy as that!

Will you be back next year?

I haven’t been invited yet! I’ve really enjoyed working with everyone but I think I just need to go away at Christmas and get some head space. I would never discount it. It’s been a real challenge for me, and I’m at the stage now where I’m finally getting OK at it, so it would be a shame if it all went tomorrow.

Either Channel Ten  are still deciding whether to renew Australian Idol or they are wondering what changes to make to it as judge Dicko has still not been re-signed to the show according to an article in the Daily Telegraph

Dicko said to Sydney Confidential:

“They have said the show is coming back,” he said. “I haven’t been asked back but I don’t know if any of the judges have. It doesn’t bother me, I know Channel 10 will do what’s right for them.”

In other Australian Idol new, Matt Corby has been nominated in the inaugural Vanda and Young songwriting competition. (Source: Perth Now)

Also if your were wondering who the girl who was sobbing hysterically when Nathan Brake was eliminated, it was his sister. I am glad it was not some random fan as that would be a tad disturbing.

Also the TV Week says that Nathan may be heading off to London to pursue stage work if he does not get a recording contract here.

Also here is Who Mag interview with James Johnston who was eliminated last Sunday.

A rumour is on popular forum Behind Big Brother which says that Australian Idol is getting the axe next year, and about five minutes in I started hoping the rumour was true. My enthusiasm for the show has diminished this season. (Actually it must have put me in such a catatonic state last night I forgot to press the publish button.)

Now I cannot deny that both Stan Walker and Hayley Warner are very talented singers, but with all the filler at the beginning of the show, by the time the contestants actually get to sing (and I am not talking about the group routine) I am really irritated.

By this stage I am in no mood to hear them sing. As they say in the theatre my fourth wall is up and barricaded that they have no hope of breaking through.

In fact I think the two big problems for Australian Idol this year is the format, and the chemistry between the judges. I don’t think the talent is any lower then previous seasons. Yes there was some duds but there are each year, and when you think about it each season only gives the viewer four or five standout performers.

Some thoughts on tonight’s episode:

• I thought it was great Stan talked about how he was abused. I should add it was not great that he was, but really he has nothing to be ashamed of and if more people spoke about it more kids may see help. And if one kid tonight who was watching decides to speak out that would be such a positive thing;
• I wonder if Stan’s parent’s in the audience cringe when all these stories come up about the dysfunction in their family, they should be;
• This is where I don’t understand why Stan wants seven kids does he want to bring them up in the same poverty stricken circumstances as he did;
• Regardless of whether Stan wins or not he has definitely fast tracked his career by going on Idol with a lot of the overseas mentors saying they would put him in touch with “people”.
• I did not get the Marcia Hines and Michael Buble “walkout” after Stan’s first song I presume they meant they may as well go home as he has won the competition;
• All the judges did the traditional final 2 show comments, where they were positive about everything;
• It certainly seemed they were pimping for Stan to win;
• I thought Hayley doing the Stevie Wonder the classic For Once In My Life song was a bit outside the box;
• Both of their singles were ok on first hearing not great but not shocking either.

Out of interest I am wondering if anyone is actually going to bother to vote, are you?

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It appears there is some bad blood in the country town where Kate Cook lives with the Daily Telegraph saying she was surrounded by women with baseball bats who were threatening her.

However in a Woman’s Day Kate denies that baseball bats were involved. Obviously there are some strong feelings about the fact that Kate has run off with her long term lover’s sister.  But prior to going out with Kerry Scrivener for eight years she had been seeing her younger sister Susan.

Kate in Woman’s Day writes an open letter to explain her actions.

Sounds all bit dysfunctional to me.

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I know that I am not really into this season when I hear the news that the Australian Idol contestant’s will be singing three songs tonight. And my ‘enthusiasm’ continued to decline once Nathan Brake was eliminated.

It was obvious tonight as it has been on the other nights that they are pushing for a Stan Walker and Hayley Warner top two. To be fair they are probably the two with the most career potential post Idol.

A few thoughts on the episode:

• How fucking short is Pete Wentz as  Andrew G is not that tall;
• I also thought he kept on going off on tangents, but as Kel_Bels pointed out on Twitter maybe he just wanted to avoid having to talk about the performances;
• I hope that the girl who was bawling at the news that Nathan was eliminated was related to him, as she was devastated;
• Are they having all these guest judges so there is someone to sit between Jay Dee Springbett and the other judges?
• Very disappointing that it was a power ballad show without Nathan Brake as he was this year’s power ballad specialist – well after Sabrina Batshon was eliminated he was;
• And speaking of power ballads is Bittersweet Symphony one?
• Would Stan Walker have stood out as much in other years when there was more talent?
• I liked Stan’s songs Eye of the Tiger, It’s A Man’s World, and Amazing Grace, but I did not think it was as gush worthy as the judges did;
• Hayley’s songs One by U2, New Sensation and Bittersweet Melody were all ok as well but there was no outstanding moments;
• And little James Johnston was like the poor cousin on the show, with no love coming from the judges at all, however he did not deserve any as he sang a Toto song, and Extreme song (More Than Words), and a Foo Fighters one; and
• I loved the way Andrew G kept on saying only two more weeks until the finale, I thought it was more of a mantra to himself to get through the next few episodes of the show.