According to an article in USA Today, Iain Pirie, head of US operations for 19 Entertainment says that, “it’s 95% certain there won’t be a Idol TV special, at least for this year, because effort is being concentrated on the charity special, Idol Gives Back.”
However, the Idol songwriting contest is moving ahead. Here are the details:
- Amateur hopefuls — 18 and up with no exclusive publishing deals–can write and record songs and upload them at songwriter.americanidol.com until April 17.
- A team headed by Idol creator Simon Fuller will pick 20 songs from those submitted and let fans listen on the website. They will then have a week, starting May 2, to vote for their favorites, one online vote per fan, Pirie says.
- Once a winner is picked, a record producer will arrange and produce the song for the Idol finalists, possibly consulting with the songwriter, who will get a one-song, standard deal with 19 Entertainment.
- The amateur songwriters will be responsible for putting together the performance for the contest submission.
American Idol producer, Ken Warwick, held a conference call with reporters on Tuesday afternoon. Here are some highlights:
- About Sanjaya Malakar winning, Ken says, “America normally get it right in the end. I’m pretty confident Sanjaya will not be the American Idol this year…If he makes it to the end, its because the American public want to see more of him and that’s what its about.”
- About Howard Stern/Vote for the Worst, “There is very little at this point that can affect any of the votes that would actually change the actual positions of anybody.”
- About the voting system, Ken says there is apparatus in place that detects automated power dialing. If detected, it traces the call and reports it to Telescope, the company that tabulates the votes, who would take appropriate action. According to Ken, “…it’s never ever been used.”
- About Haley, “I think she’s a good-looking kid, I think she’s got a very good voice; I think she was given a really bad rap by Simon earlier. If you want my opinion, I think she still deserves to be there…She’s quite a shy girl, that’s the problem. She’s not one that’s in your face all the time, but she’s a lovely kid. I love her and she looks great on stage and she’s got a great voice, I don’t care what Simon Says. I’d love to see more of her legs anytime.”
- About Chris Sligh, “I was never aware that he came to producers asking to be dropped out of the competition. I think he’s stirring up interest in himself. And I wish him the best of luck. He’s got a good voice.”
- About Lakisha, “No one can say with LaKisha she’s the greatest, most dynamic performer that ever lived, but Aretha Franklin got there by standing there and letting forth with that voice. You can’t knock the girl for that. She’s doing extremely well. She’s got an absolutely magnificent voice.”
Today’s last item: Ryan Seacrest is rooting for Jordin Sparks to take it all…
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I was glad to see that Ken Warwick had a good word to say for Haley. I’m hoping that she will break that bottom three curse. I was hoping Phil would leave this week but he again survived. Maybe next week is his turn to go.
Hey, AI is loving their Haley controversy as much as they are loving their Sanjaya controversy. I’m a big Haley supporter and I hate how they are always making her out to be the bad guy/gal set up to ROB the other person of their deserved spot. It sucks for her.