Bill Carter, the most excellent media reporter for the New York Times interviews Idol producer Simon Fuller here.
Not only is Fuller one of the producers at the helm of America’s most popular TV show, but he also negotiated a stunning multi-million dollar deal to bring soccer player David Beckham to the US to play for the LA Galaxy.
Some excerpts:
“It doesn’t matter anymore if you win on the show,” Mr. Fuller said, noting that Mr. Daughtry’s new album has been outselling the album released by last year’s winner, Taylor Hicks. He predicted the album would soon pass Justin Timberlake’s as the nation’s top-seller, reaching at least three million in total sales.
“You can finish fourth, like Chris did, or fifth or sixth, like Jennifer did, and you can still make hits,” he said.
Fuller needs a fact checker–Jennifer Hudson actually finished 7th in Season 3. Interesting that he’s upfront about the fact that a contestant needn’t win to spin a successful career off American Idol. How does an admission like that affect the urgency of the contest and the fans who vote for their favorites? Will there be fewer Cingular Go phones purchased this year when the fans figure out that not only is it not necessary to win, it may be better NOT to win…
As far as Idol’s spectacular ratings so far, Fuller makes a good point. He says that Idol’s higher profile, due largely to the awards and accolades Idol graduates have been receiving lately, has even more people tuning into the show:
Mr. Fuller pointed out that music fans from many genres were now being exposed to “Idol” performers. “You have Carrie, who is selling millions of albums to country fans,” he said. “You have Kelly, who is a mainstream pop artist. And you have Chris, who is the first real rock artist we’ve broken on the show. There there’s Jennifer, who’s winning every award for ‘Dreamgirls.’ I just think the music is getting out everywhere, and subliminally that has helped.”
thanks lisab
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I know, that’s the way it seems to be for Season 5.
I feel sad for Taylor though.
It’s the only season (besides the Ruben Clay fiasco), where the attention has not been solely on the winner but on the finalists.
Even Randy on his weekly radio show is giving props to Kat, bussing about her single & congratulating Bucky for his record deal and never says anything significant about Taylor.
Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia & Carrie always got all the attention when they won. JMHO. Taylor deserves better than that. Oh well.
You know, I don’t feel sad for Taylor as far as AI goes. He’s had so many opportunities as a result of his AI experience, even if the AI folks are not treating him as well as they have other winners. The only thing I wish he didn’t have to deal with are the cretins from his past like his former manager who are trying to profit unfairly from Taylor’s success.
Let’s face it, it was abundantly clear to all of us watching the show avidly last year that Chris was TCO. And last season was the first that the winner was someone TPTB didn’t want. And I mean really, really, really didn’t want. I think Nigel wanted to exploit Taylor the entertainer but didn’t think there was any way that he could win. That gray haired nut is too weird! Looks too old! The season turned into a bit of a runaway train for Nigel and Simon, didn’t it? Hilarious! Are they going to let it happen again? No way! By showing us that it doesn’t matter who we choose, that they are still going to choose their CO and treat him/her better than the winner if we don’t pick who they want, they’re trying to regain control of the show. And by these many small slights to Taylor, they’re hoping that we troublemakers, who are attracted to non-pop idols, will be miffed and go away.
Wouldn’t they love that, if we go away so that we can’t interfere with their manipulations and machinations? Well, too bad, Nigel and Simon! Last season was fun! I love that a non-idol won AI! This year, I’m going to look for the most talented non-pop misfit you have let through, and I’m going to set my dialidol to vote for that person. If there’s an Elliott or Taylor type in the bunch - watch out! Instead of votefortheworst, I advocate voteforthemostuniquenonidol. There are endless streams of rock-pop, country-pop, r&b-pop singers out there. I’m going to vote for the best singer who can’t be pigeonholed, someone who will be a challenge to TPTB. Some very good non-pop idol. I want another runaway train. I think it’s about time that Nigel and Clive earn their many millions of AI bucks.
Why do you guys exaggerate so much? No one said that anyone in the Top 10 could sell records. Chris is obviously a special case. How many records has Anthony Federov sold? Latoya? Jessica Sierra?
Exactly. Chris is definitely a special case. TPTB saw Chris as the money maker and as someone who should have come in first or second but since that did not happen, they signed him any way or else some one else would. There is no guarantee that the money maker of the season will not come in at first or second this next season. Just because one is a great singer and come in the Top 10 doesn’t mean that you will be signed or considered the money maker of the group ie Elliott.
Can they mention how well Chris is doing without using “outselling Taylor” in the same sentence. I would think that Chris would like
some alone time as well. How about just recognizing Daughtry’s sales in a sentence without mentioning Taylor???
Don’t feel sad for Taylor. He’s doing great. It’s all a matter of perspective. Taylor will slowly gain more fans. Time will tell and
I’m sure he’s still on a cloud with all of this. Tay is actually making more appearances than any of the Idols and gaining fans even among celebrities - small steps - they’ll get him there.
I predict Taylor’s real success will be like Kelly C - with the sophomore album !!!!!
In the meantime, nothing seems to be slowing Some Hearts down. It’s back in the top 20 this week. Simon was right… darn it. But I love Carrie and I’m so glad she’s NOT dating Romo.
Simon is right most of the time, you know. He really predicted Carrie would be the best selling idol debut album ever and she was.
I love her too, and I am very happy for her success. She will be performing at the Grammys, how exciting will that be for her.
She deserves all her success, very talented and sweet girl.
And I agree about not including Taylor with Chris on the same sentence. All the media does is compare them, and obviously Taylor always comes up losing. Every time I turn the radio on I hear a DJ saying: Here is Daughtry the guy who should have won AI… Sigh.
mj, in your blog you ask how many non-winners doing well affects the urgency of the contest and the fans who vote. Personally, I love the show. It doesn’t matter to me who does well when they come out of Idol. I pick a number of favorites during a season and vote for the sheer joy of participating. Would I be happier if Taylor’s first cd had done better? Of course but that doesn’t mean I hold any ill feelings toward Chris just because “HE DIDN’T WIN AND IT’S NOT FAIR!”. I’m delighted that Daughtry has done so well.
When we watch Idol, we get to know the contestants; we judge them not so much on how they sing,although that is certainly part of it, but who we like and dislike. We refuse to see the talent of some contestants because they are in direct competition with our favorite person. As long as we pick favorites, we will continue to vote. The competition is what it’s all about. Once an idol takes first place, the competition is over. Taylor got the biggest prize but it is now up to him to win over the rest of the world….including those thousands of people who didn’t want him to win.
Long story short….we’ll vote because it’s in our nature to want our favorite to win. Once that happens….all’s fair in love, war and the popularity of a cd.
Most people don’t even follow CD sales. And I agree that voting has virtually nothing to do with CD sales. Are people thinking that they need to vote for someone because that person will sell lots of records and get rich? Highly doubtful. They vote because they want to see someone win.
I don’t think winning is the point for most of these singers but using the show as a vehicle to attract fans and get a recording contract. Winning is just gravy. I think the only reason there’s any question about that is because there’s a non-winner doing so well. I actually don’t think that Taylor would be complaining at all on how he’s been treated as winner. He’s had an incredible amount of press, a commercial, a book, and many, many appearances. He had the choice to not record during the tour and Chris/Kellie chose to so you can’t even complain about that.
I do believe that tptb did want Chris to win but he hasn’t been given more than Taylor. The band’s earned additional appearances due to the great sales of the cd and the radio play. I have no idea if the single will help Taylor to catch up to Chris but it shouldn’t be a contest, should it?
I agree that Bo paved the way for Chris (have never seen/hear Constantine) and Chris has said as much.
bean: I do believe that tptb did want Chris to win but he hasn’t been given more than Taylor.
I think that Fox airing Chris’ song during Prison Break promos and 19E choosing it for the AI6 elimination song are significant boosts that don’t have anything to do with being earned by sales or radio play (especially the latter since last year they chose a previously little known song and artist for their elimination song and made both hits by doing so) and are unprecedented signs of TPTB promoting a nonwinner over a winner.
But you’re right, I don’t think Taylor would be complaining, I think he’s gotten excellent opportunities from his AI experience.
It hasn’t been confirmed yet that they will use Home for the elimination song as far as I know, Soamused. I agree that if it is that would be a big deal for Chris. The Prison Break commercial probably didn’t do much since it didn’t even give their name although it made Chris fans very happy. Other than that, Kellie Pickler and now Kat are getting as many if not more appearances than Chris did.
Thank you Mr. Simon Fuller for allowing me to sit this season out. No, I won’t vote, regardless if there is someone who catches my eye. You have just confirmed that it doesn’t matter who wins, so, why bother? Now, I can just cluck at Ryan when he urges us to vote to keep YOUR favorite on the show. Why? They are going to promote who they want in the long run, so, it’s all about the money. Bottom line. I voted my fingers off for Bo in season 4, and, Taylor in season 5. Chris, the only true rocker? I think not. Taylor showed some very good rocker moves last season, if people would’ve been paying attention. I’m sickened that they have pulled this, and, it just confirms that even though the voters picked the winner, they pick who they want to promote. I don’t like Chris’s CD. The songs all sound the same to me. Taylor’s CD is one “for the vault,” as he so elequently phrased it last season. Some are even saying they are tired of hearing Chris’s already, so, what does that tell you? I have nothing against Chris, except the shameless way they are rubbing the sales figures in our faces. Does this in any way determine their future careers, and, longevity in the business? I think not. Taylor’s CD should’ve hit the shelves for black Friday sales. Also, J Records seems to be dragging their feet with the single being released. This is just totally crazy!! And, if I have to listen to Chris’s song, “Home” every week on AI, I think I will hit the mute button. Yes, Simon Fuller, I will be watching when I’m home, but, voting again? Never in your wildest dreams!! AI is at the top right now, and, there is only one place to go from there, and, that is down. This show isn’t about finding the best, raw talent in America - it’s about the money they can make, and, who they can exploit. And, the American public is included in this exploitation. We have been duped into believing that it matters who wins the competiton. It DOES NOT matter, as Simon Fuller has confirmed. So, have at it 19E - pick your winner regardless of who gets the most votes. But, I’ll have no part of it this year. (I’m done with my rant now.)
you are right on the money skylight1219. they will promote who they want. jordin sparks, sundance, brandon, and other more, check them out they only show few contestant. there are plenty of great singers that went to hollywood and their audition was not shown, the one that they showed are all of over the news, internet etc. gave them publicity what happened to the rest. how can they build a fan base. your are right on the money, 19E will pick there winners. its not american people it’s AI.
you are right on the money skylight1219. they will promote who they want. jordin sparks, sundance, brandon, and other more, check them out they only show few contestant.
“This show isn’t about finding the best, raw talent in America - it’s about the money they can make, and, who they can exploit. And, the American public is included in this exploitation. We have been duped into believing that it matters who wins the competiton.”
It may have been finding undiscovered talent in Season 1 & 2 but that concept has mostly left the show. So many of the contestants have unbelieveable professional experience. One was in a band that had a hit single in several countries. He has experienced success.
Skylight1219, your rant was on target. My biggest complaint is the manipulation through editting and pimping of the contestants. It is not fair and balanced.
Raqcar, you are also correct. I also wonder how they found only 60 guys to go to Hollywood out of thousands and thousands who auditioned?