Chat about Australian Idol 2008 here.

With Mark gone, I wonder if they'll find a replacement.. It's hard to see everyone's favourite judge, Karl Sandilands, fronting up as he might still be involved with Big Brother...

I think Idol will want to go back to the 3 judges who I presume will be Dicko, Marcia and Kyle. I think BB ends before Idol begins so I am guessing Kyle will be part of both. The big change Idol need to make is getting rid of Marcia

I do enjoy Marcia - I guess I have fond memories of the original.

Ten have stated that Mark Holden will remain with the network. I'm guessing maybe they'll use him for a local version of Don't Forget The Lyrics?

Quoted from GlenTheAdmin

I'm guessing maybe they'll use him for a local version of Don't Forget The Lyrics?

Thats a very interesting thought... I was trying to think why TEN would possibly want to keep him, but that makes sence.

It kinda makes sense. The American version of DFTL did pretty respectable numbers over summer, for an import reality show. Holden would be good in a local version I think.

He would be good actually.
I really don't like the American version of that lyrics show though. It seems SO cheesy.

Now that we are not going to have Mark Holden's "TOUCHDOWN" ( thank goodness ! )
I wonder if the producers will arrange for one of the other judges to do something similar

Personally , am glad to see Mark Holden go - there was often a leacherous , "dirty-old-man" aspect to some of his comments

Marcia is just too bland - she may give contestants fantastic advice off screen , but at the judging table ....... nothing

Yes have a "nice" person on the team , but one who gives valid criticism and maybe occassionally fires up when their opinion differs from the others

Beyond the Holden-isms though, Mark did offer really valuable insights into voice issues and recording. He was our Randy.

I would never say this of any previous season, but what a shame we have missed the latest season of American Idol, with Aussie Michael Johns now into the Top Six and looking good for a Finals berth.  

I really agree Tasman. I caught American Idol on Fox8 just when the semi finals commenced, and it really has been interesting to watch. And isn't great not only having an Aussie in the show, but having an Aussie singing Aussie songs! We'll see soon if he got through this week.

The other great thing is that it is aired (i think) virtually the same day as in America.

You know, I was thinking about why maybe Australian Idol is not as strong in the ratings as the first two series.

a) yes, Dicko left and that caused some instablity I think, but

b) I think the real reason is that Australia got behind the first two seasons believing it would become a World-wide competition. When it was announced that the winner of season 1 would be flying off to compete in World Idol, everyone starting voting and watching. I think they should bring that back. They need a bigger carrot.

In my channel 10 email it said:

FremantleMedia Australia and Network Ten are excited to announce that award-winning recording artist Ricki-Lee Coulter will be joining the 2008 season of Australian Idol.

Series 6 of the entertainment phenomenon will see Ricki-Lee join the hosting team to support host's Andrew G and James Mathison. Ricki-Lee has already joined the Australian Idol audition tour in Perth and we will see her at all the capital cities bringing the viewers closer to the contestants, with valuable tips and advice for all our idol hopefuls.

Once Australian Idol reaches the exciting studio phase of the competition Ricki-Lee will be on hand to give viewers unprecedented backstage access during the Monday night Live Verdict program.  While James and Andrew take care of all the action on the main stage, Ricki-Lee will become mentor and friend to the contestants as they undertake their incredibly emotional journey to superstardom.

Australian Idol executive producer Greg Beness says "We are thrilled to have Ricki-Lee on board this year. What better person to support the boys than someone who has already lived and breathed the Idol dream. Ricki-Lee is a great example of how Australian Idol has opened doors to the entertainment industry for many of our idols and truly demonstrates how Idol is discovering Australian talent."

Ricki-Lee has enjoyed great success since her controversial elimination from Australian Idol in 2004. Since then the hits have followed, with her hugely successful self-titled debut solo album, followed by the chart topping Young Divas project, and most recently launching her 2nd Gold solo album Brand New Day, which has produced 3 top ten singles alone, meaning Ricki-Lee has had 6 consecutive top 20 singles since she hit the charts.

Apart from her new Idol duties, Ricki—Lee has just launched her first single into the UK market Can't Touch It, which has been re-titled U Wanna Little Of This. The single has already hit  #1 on the UK commercial club pop charts. Meanwhile back home, Can't Touch It has just gone platnium, which is a huge success for Ricki-Lee, who is a proud Australian independent artist.

"I'm thrilled to be returning to Idol, the very place that launched my public profile and my music career. I'm also excited and honoured to be mentoring these amazing up-coming stars, many of whom will contribute to keeping the Australian music industry thriving, whether they win or not! I want to be a constant support, and a constant reminder to these guys that you don't need to win in order to be a success in this competition!".


Darn I thought they were replacing Marcia at first

Quoted from Dalton

Personally , am glad to see Mark Holden go - there was often a leacherous , "dirty-old-man" aspect to some of his comments

I coudn't have put it better myself, Mark always freaked me out. This year is shaping up to be a great one, with the addition of doing auditions in London, which should be pretty interesting. It'll be nice to have Ricki on deck as well.

I've started up an Australian Idol 2008 blog, and would love any feedback, comments, or juicy gossip that you guys know of.

Hi guys, having watched the promos from Idol 2008 for a few weeks, I'm just wondering if anyone know the actual start date... All the official site, http://www.australianidol.com.au/ , says is soon  

Some of the contestants look promising......

I've seen the promos and....am I missing something? When did they air the auditions? When were the top 100 chosen? Have they always showed us who the top 100 were before they air the auditions? It kinda spaced me out when I saw the promo for the first time. I kept thinking....wait! What was I on when the auditions were shown?? Hahahaha!
Sooo....have the auditions aired or am I actually sane and Idol is just teasing us with a glimse before they show us the hilarious (and fabulous) audition lead up to the show?

Cass.

They haven't aired I don't think.
I heard there's this 16 year old who got in who's really good.

Quoted from Wurtzel

Hi guys, having watched the promos from Idol 2008 for a few weeks, I'm just wondering if anyone know the actual start date... All the official site, http://www.australianidol.com.au/ , says is soon  

The sixth season of Australian Idol will premiere on Sunday August 24, 2008  

OMG!!! It may clash with EVSC  

Quoted from Tasman

OMG!!! It may clash with EVSC  

Not for me.

I know what I'll be watching come August 24.

The auditions start from next Sunday, and continue throughout the week each night at 7.30pm (Sun-Fri).

The Top 24 rounds then continues through the following week in similiar timeslots.

Quoted from Cassiepeia

I've seen the promos and....am I missing something? When did they air the auditions? When were the top 100 chosen? Have they always showed us who the top 100 were before they air the auditions? It kinda spaced me out when I saw the promo for the first time. I kept thinking....wait! What was I on when the auditions were shown?? Hahahaha!
Sooo....have the auditions aired or am I actually sane and Idol is just teasing us with a glimse before they show us the hilarious (and fabulous) audition lead up to the show?

Cass.

No, you're not going crazy. I think they are wanting to keep us interested by giving us some extra info this year, because of the late start with the Olympics and all.

They just updated their website today, and a week or so ago, this video surfaced, showing what seems to be the Top 24...

Do you guys think the whole promo thing where the top 100 sing is a disadvantage to the singers who didnt feature as much?

Definately. You can tell who the producers want in the top 12.

Quoted from sillygostly

Not for me.

I know what I'll be watching come August 24.

As do I, and it's certainly not Idle.

Quoted from Matt

Definately. You can tell who the producers want in the top 12.

Totally. The pale girl with the lips and blonde hair, the 15 year old boy, the fat girl, the guy who's apparently going to be portrayed similiar to Matt Corby.. are the 4 I remember.

I just need to quickly voice my opinion on something with Australian Idol...

I just watched this brilliant artist sing a song HE wrote along with his guitar. The judges loved it! Australians love this type of music - we go crazy over artists like this that can rock off at music festivals all over the world of course including australia. However, here is where I know it'll be the last I see of his unique style.. we might be lucky to see it again before 'Top 20' BUT eventually they'll kill it off and make them all bland and into divas because.. divas can hit high notes with bands backing them up and they can manipulate their voice into any ridicuous genre - that I'm sorry to say doesn't make them 'the best!'

Every season once they get to Top 12 - they're no longer aloud to play their OWN music - they do for one week get to use their own choice of instrument (from memory) but we no longer see how they truly are gifted as an artist.

I really do tune out after top 20 (yes, I live in hope) and I know it gets to a point where a lot of us do.. Anyway, I really do hope that if they are changing Australian Idol up so much this year to stay on the airways (we all know what happened with big brother... :s ) they'll listen to another portion of Australia saying.. be different and allow true talent and their love of music to shine - have them play their own music (if they wish) with their learnt instruments - EVERY WEEK. So, we know who we're voting for and what we're wanting to create as another artist for Australia. Make it into a TRUE concert because we REALLLLLY don't care that somebody can on one week sing jazz and on the next week sing 80's... lol REALLY don't care.

Lol, I am SO SICK of seeing divas and pop music in general taking over this show, our radios and filling those poor aria and logie seats!

Anyway... that's my opinion on the show - lets see what happens this year, hey?!

lurveit!!!!!!!!!! Long time no see!!
And I agree with everything you said, the best ones always go early.

Great to see some really good talent in this years 24... Gonna be hard to predict the final 12, let alone the overall winner...

Man oh man I have favourites already and I wasn't intending on watching  

The blonde girl from London, the Kiwi girl, the 16yr old boy & the Vietnamese guy.

My early money is on the blonde  

... I'm watching the first six singers and they are all crap! (except for Chrislyn)

Quoted from Tasman

Man oh man I have favourites already and I wasn't intending on watching  

The blonde girl from London, the Kiwi girl, the 16yr old boy & the Vietnamese guy.

My early money is on the blonde  

I'd put my money on the kid.

Chrislyn is nothing new though. Casey v.2

Not that I'm watching or anything

This show now needs to be rested

I'll go for Olly and Wes to get through from tonight's mediocre performances  

Quoted from Wurtzel

Some of the contestants look promising......

Basing things purely on 'looks' I'd say they're another nightmare for the marketing department  

Hells bells!!! Chrystalbel got through  


Okay tonight, well definately Tom Williams and for a second choice maybe Thang Bui ...but who knows the way its going it'll be the sick girl who couldn't be judged  

I know many of you would disagree with me...but i actually don't like that 16 year old kid....tom williams i think. I just find he's too immature vocally.

I like him besides the fact he's just some boring Christian kid.

Did he get through???  

I missed it tonight cause I had stay back at work and fill in for someone who was sick.

Yeah he did. And Thanh did as well. I wanted Amanda to get through... hopefully she gets a wildcard spot.

Thanks Matt  

OMG!! I picked them both  

Just going for Madam Parker tonight!!!  


...and OMG!!! Axel Whitehead showing up again on sunday