WHAT'S OLD BECOMES NEW AN UNORIGINAL IDEA, WITH MANY FOLLOWERS.Byline: Fred Shuster Staff Writer As old as TV itself, amateur talent contests like ``American Idol'' have never really gone away since taking root on radio in the 1930s and migrating to the small screen. The success of ``Idol'' proves you-be-the-judge TV and so-called reality programming apparently are here to stay. Even the Animal Planet cable network has hatched its own instant-celebrity series with ``Pet Star,'' spotlighting silly pet tricks. ``Idol,'' which starts auditions this weekend in Pasadena for a third season that kicks off in January, offers a shot at fame and fortune to thousands of would-be professional entertainers. It's ``Star Search'' with a twist - judge Simon Cowell Simon Cowell (born 7 October, 1959) is a British artist and repertoire ("A&R") executive for Sony BMG in the United Kingdom and a television producer, more commonly known as a judge on television programmes such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, American Idol plays a Mr. Nasty role offering snide comments in a haughty haugh·ty adj. haugh·ti·er, haugh·ti·est Scornfully and condescendingly proud. See Synonyms at proud. [From Middle English haut, from Old French haut, halt British accent. On ``American Idol American Idol is an annual American televised singing competition, which began its first season on June 11, 2002. Part of the Idol franchise, it originated from the British reality program Pop Idol. ,'' rejection is part of the fun. Networks like amateur-hour productions because costs are relatively low. And talent, of course, is cheap - just ask the thousands already lined up at the Rose Bowl for Sunday's first-draft ``Idol'' auditions. In fact, the first-season success of Fox Network's ``American Idol'' prompted CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) See cell broadcast. to retool re·tool v. re·tooled, re·tool·ing, re·tools v.tr. 1. To fit out (a factory, for example) with a new set of machinery and tools for making a different product. 2. its ``Star Search,'' which offers slots for budding comics, models, and adult and junior singers. ``Idol'' spotlights crooners only. In previous decades, ``Ted Mack's Amateur Hour'' and ``Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts,'' as well as the still-running ``Showtime at the Apollo,'' provided popular models for today's versions. The main difference today, however, seems to be the delight fans take in the judges' humiliation of contestants. In the end, the jury's still out on how lasting an ``Idol''-sanctioned career might be. A feature film, ``From Justin to Kelly,'' starring 2002 winner Kelly Clarkson Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24 1982) is an American pop rock singer. Clarkson made her debut under RCA Records after she won the highly publicized first season of the television series American Idol in 2002. and runner-up Justin Guarini Justin Guarini (born Justin Eldrin Bell on October 28, 1978 in Columbus, Georgia) is a singer/songwriter, actor who rose to fame in 2002, as the first runner-up on the debut season of the television show “American Idol”. made only $4.9 million at the box office this summer, although both landed in the charts with their debut albums. This year's famous faces Ruben Studdard Christopher Ruben Studdard (born September 12, 1978) is an American pop/R&B/gospel singer who rose to fame as winner of the second season of the American Idol television program. and Clay Aiken have had hit singles but are still readying their albums. They've both landed on the cover of Rolling Stone. Two ``Idol'' albums featuring other contestants have also charted. ``If it's great, it's gonna work,'' says ``Idol'' judge Randy Jackson. ``If you're good, you're gonna be heard.'' Fred Shuster, (818) 713-3676 fred.shuster(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Ryan Starr, a resident of Southern California, was a top 10 finalist during the first ``American Idol'' competition. |
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