Here are a couple of interesting Idol related items:
Idol Academy
From TriviaTVBlogspot:
FremantleMedia–the company that produces American Idol–recently filed documents with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) to protect the phrase, Idol Academy, for “performing arts camp” and “website relating to performing arts camp.”
The fact that they’ve trademarked the phrase could mean anything from keeping a competitor or outsider from using the phrase, to plans to actually open some sort of “Idol school.”
I can’t see the TPTB getting in the business of teaching Idol hopefuls tips and tricks on getting through the audition and competition process. The show thrives on unpredictability. The contestant who takes that left turn often makes for the best TV. I’m thinking they just want to keep others from appropriating the name.
I’ve heard of Idol-savvy voice coaches getting kids ready for the auditions. A voice/performance coach with some business savvy could probably do well setting up a school that teaches kids the ins and outs of the Idol game.
My money is on Freemantle attempting to put up a road-block to keep folks from cashing in on the Idol name–not to mention keeping potential auditioners as naive as possible. That’s just good TeeVee. Heh.
Where are they now? Possibly losing a lot of weight
And in the I’m-glad-somebody-did-it-so-I-didn’t-have-to department, US magazine did a cover story on the Idols this week. Weight loss, a standard hook for celebrity features was the topic. The cover featured Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson with the headline, ”How Idols Got Thin!” (Carrie - Lost 20lbs., Jennifer - Lost 60lbs.) Inside, Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee’s weight battles are detailed. Interspersed amongst the weight-loss stories are where-they-now type blurbs for EACH past Idol.
Realitytvworld.com, bless their hearts, posted a recap of every blurb on every Idol, along with links to their official websites. It’s really quite the handy list, and offers an at-a-glance look at what all the Idols are doing these days.
While the contestants who don’t win the competition are often labeled “losers” by the press, it’s interesting to note that nearly all the ex-Idols are earning some type of living in show business. I’m sure if you asked them, they’d tell you that what they are doing now sure beats the alternative.
Greatest Hits of the Idols?
Last item: This is strictly rumor, but somebody posted this recently on the Pulse Music Board:
The American Idols: Best Of
This new twenty song disc will be released late 2007. It is set to feature the winner and runner-up of each season of American Idol. Two songs will be featured from each artist. (Their biggest hit / Fan favorite) The winner of season 6 will have their song featured as a bonus track. Below are the artists on the album.
Kelly Clarkson
Justin Guarini
Ruben Studdard
Clay Aiken
Fantasia Barrino
Diana DeGarmo
Carrie Underwood
Bo Bice
Taylor Hicks
Katharine McPhee
Doesn’t sound far-fetched to me.
Thanks griz, lisab and little boy blue
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mj, you can’t patent a phrase. You trademark it…
Semantics, Nevada! j/k. I’ll change it…
That was fast…and see, I read EVERYTHING you write. I got hooked after I read your JPL magnum opus.
Every one of these little tidbits was very interesting.
I started reading the US in the grocery store, but dangitall, if that checker didn’t get the ball rolling before I actually wanted her to!!!
I completely agree with what you said about “Idol camp”, but I think contestants are getting so savvy now, the show has lost a lot of its spontaneity anyway. There is always a little bit of the unexpected, but it is getting rarer and rarer.
The first thing I thought of when I read about that “Idol Academy” thing was the ‘Jump the Shark’ concept. I think if they actually involved themselves in that business that would be the franchise’s and the show’s ‘jump’ moment.
You actually have to use a trademark (or service mark, which is more likely what this is) in commerce (in other words, you have to use it in conjunction with the sale of goods or services) in order for the mark to be protected. You can’t just file for a bunch of marks, not use them in commerce, and still prevent others from using them.
Freemantle is probably getting into the highly-lucrative-but-highly-ethically-questionable talent agent business. And/or they’re trying to give themselves yet another avenue to find talented people who are serious enough about their craft to shell out a few thousand bucks to enter the Idol Academy. But they wouldn’t just file for a mark just to prevent someone else from using it. That would not work.
Actually, I thought this was related to the new show on finding Sandy and Danny for the new production of GREASE! Fifty contests are going to the GREASE ACADEMY to prepare for the finals on the show. It is on Sunday nights.
MJ, thank you for a wonderful website! I love it!
I immediately thought of the GREASE ACADEMY connection, too. It also could have something to do with the unexpected twist they claim will happen this year on Idol.
Re: Grease Academy, I don’t think so. The filing documents indicate that it is a performance camp. If it were a TV show, the filing documents would probably say so.