Happy 10th anniversary, ‘American Idol’!
Ten years ago today, “American Idol” debuted as a fill-in Fox summer TV reality show.
I read some of the stories from the time. Expectations were modest. “Idol” did not send out an advance copy of the first episode, which made TV writers at the time instantly suspicious.
The Chicago Tributne: “American Idol” (8 p.m., WFLD-Ch. 32), copied from a British hit called “Pop Idol,” operates under the flawed assumption that this nation wants or needs another treacly pop star. Don’t the producers know that Celine Dion is back from exile and only one of the ‘N Sync boys is planning to go to space?
The Cleveland Plain Dealer: How bad is “ American Idol“? Well, we learned long ago not to ask how low Fox will go.
The Salt Lake Tribune: Fox mailed a short clip of the program to television critics, and, oh daddy, the cringe factor is really high — for the viewer, too. This is the show for those who truly love the sight of someone making an unintentional fool of themselves.
And it’s interesting to hear how Nigel Lythgoe spun the show before it first aired to the Los Angeles Times:
Lythgoe maintains that “American Idol” is less a talent show and more a slice of human drama, “like the kid who turned up and said to the judges, ‘Both my parents are deaf and they’ll never hear me sing.’ And he sang ‘When I Fall in Love’ and signed it at the same time. It was just beautiful.”
I recall the two TV writers at the AJC at the time passed on covering the show so they handed me some early advance tapes (in VCR form!) Fox did send out in June. Believe it or not, I still have them.
The PR person at “Idol” also informed me of five folks who were from the Atlanta area.
So I started tracking them in Peach Buzz.
Here’s the very first thing I ever wrote about “Idol,” which ran in Peach Buzz June 17, 2002:
‘Idol‘ has five Atlantans
Atlantans heavily populate the Fox television show “American Idol, ” which seeks to find the “best” singer/performer via popular vote. Of the 30 semifinalists, five are from the Atlanta area.
So far, the twice-weekly summer replacement series has done well amid a sea of repeats. Tuesday at 8:30 p.m., the first group of 10 will sing individually, and viewers will vote whether they’re worthy of moving to the next round.
Among the 10 will be Christopher Aaron, 23, of Duluth (a fan of Brandy) and teacher Tamyra Gray, 22, of Norcross (who loves Prince). R.J. Helton of Cumming, Melanie Noelle of Atlanta and an Atlantan who goes only by Jamar are the three other competing locals who will be shown on later episodes.
On my 33rd birthday, June 21, 2002, I wrote about Gray, who would ultimately finish fourth:
Norcross’ singing ‘Idol‘
Norcross resident Tamyra Gray blew away her crooning competitors in the first semifinal round of “American Idol, ” a twice-weekly Fox show that takes elements from Ed McMahon’s old “Star Search” and adds a dollop of edgy nastiness (or simple honesty) from a panel of judges.
Gray (left), competing for one of three finalist slots along with nine others, including Duluth pal Christopher Aaron, pulled in the most votes out of 3 million cast by the viewing public. The results were announced live Wednesday night.
To get to the finals with gorgeous Ryan Starr and sentimental pick Jim Verraros (who has deaf parents), 22-year-old Gray sang an inspiring version of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going, ” made famous by torch singer Jennifer Holliday.
Gray told Buzz that she chose that song because her mother, Rita Preston, loves it. When Gray reached her mom on the phone, “all she did was scream and then hang up the phone.”
The judges all predicted Gray would be the top vote-getter. “At the audition in Atlanta, I described her as having the X factor with a capital X, ” said the usually snide British record executive Simon Crowell, one of three judges that culled 10,000 contestants down to 30. “This girl is a star.”
Gray, unlike many of the jilted contestants, of course has nothing bad to say about Crowell. “I’m just a girl from Norcross being who I am. I’m so grateful people actually support me, ” she said.
The ratings for the first episode were solid and away the show went until Kelly Clarkson beat Justin Guarini before more than 23 million viewers, a huge number for a summer show. (I remember being at a Star 94 viewing party at Dave & Busters for that one.)
For folks who watched the show from 2002, what are some of your memories?
For nostalgia’s sake, here’s the first few minutes of episode one from a decade ago:
And check out this story on Billboard.com: “Idol” contestants have had 345 separate titles from 29 different “Idol” contestants reach No. 1 on one of its charts over 10 years for a total of 1,142 weeks. Kelly Clarkson has the most No. 1’s (73), followed by Carrie Underwood (62), Daughtry (38), Fantasia (31) and Ruben Studdard (16).
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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257 comments Add your comment
Sam-A
June 12th, 2012
10:45 am
And, Mercedes, yes we must disagree on MR, as we do on a few (not many) movies!
Twin Jenny, where are you today? Strangely silent!
Orlando
June 12th, 2012
10:46 am
I completly agree, I would rather exchange music with the Chipmunks, than you.
Orlando
June 12th, 2012
10:50 am
“Fortunately she had very few hits”
You are unbeleivable, this lady died of a brain tumor, if she had lived, she would have had plenty of hits. Again, WOW!
JTesla aka Maybe
June 12th, 2012
10:51 am
Lovin’ you is easy cause you’re beautiful
Makin’ love with you is all i wanna do
Lovin’ you is more than just a dream come true
And everything that i do is out of lovin’ you
La la la la la la la… do do do do do
- Lovin’ You
JTesla aka Maybe
June 12th, 2012
10:54 am
Let’s compare music of yesterday to music of today again. Can we? Can we?
“Lovin’ You” vs. “Call me maybe”
Discuss.
Deirdre
June 12th, 2012
10:58 am
I liked Minnie on most but not all her music. She definitely had a love it or hate it style. That “whistle register” worked for her sometimes but not always…much like Mariah Carrey.
Deirdre
June 12th, 2012
11:01 am
Getting back to female Idols, I think Mandisa is a better singer today than she was on Idol but I think she’s a perfect example of how sometimes appearance makes a big difference in the voting.
Mercedes S.
June 12th, 2012
11:05 am
Still looking for someone to post that “pretty, but can’t sing worth a lick” list!!
Rodney?
Kcf?
Orlando
June 12th, 2012
11:06 am
Deirdre, I agree. Mandisa would have gone further if she were small. Lakeisha Jones too.
Orlando
June 12th, 2012
11:07 am
I think Kelly Pickler was waaay more pretty than her singing was.
Deirdre
June 12th, 2012
11:08 am
I agree on Kellie Pickler however, you have to give the girl her due. She’s made a nice little career for herself in country music.
Sam-A
June 12th, 2012
11:13 am
Wow, Orlando, just Wow – is that your fave word???? I doubt she’d have had many hits – it doesn’t take a long lifetime to have lots of hits! Not a very versatile voice. Wow! If you like high pitched squeaky voices, you probably do love the Chipmunks! Bet you have all their records and movies!
Sam-A
June 12th, 2012
11:14 am
Deirdre, you’re right – one of the entertainment shows did a little piece of Kelly P last night, commenting on her nice, smooth career. She’s really done well for herself!
Deirdre
June 12th, 2012
11:18 am
Kellie Pickler has a nice voice…not a great voice. She’s done well, both in the real world and on Idol, based on her personality and probably her looks. Good for her.
I would have been furious however, if she had not been eliminated before Kat McPhee. Or Daughtry or Elliot Yamin.
Rickster
June 12th, 2012
11:31 am
First Frank Cady (Sam Drucker on Green Acres, et. al)
Second: Ann Rutherford (GWTW, Andy Hardy)
Third?? – We’ll just have to see.
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
June 12th, 2012
11:34 am
Mercedes, I like the challenge of a “Pretty but can’t sing list.” The only problem with that list is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Also, I find that there were some girls on Idol who were pretty and weren’t bad singers, just not “powerhouses” but merely “very good.” I tried to have one per season, but that was difficult in some cases. With that said, I put forth my list out for critique:
Season 1: Ryan Starr and Nikki McKibbin
Season 2: Kimberly Caldwell
Season 3: Jasmine Trias
Season 4: Lindsey Cardinale
Season 5: Lisa Tucker and Melissa McGhee
Season 6: Haley “Hot Pants” Scarnato
Season 7: Kristy Lee Cook and Ramiele Malubay (Brook White to some extent)
Season 8: Megan “Caw! Caw!” Joy
Season 9 Paige Miles and Didi Benami (Tho, I did like Didi’s voice…it was a bit weak)
Seasons 10 and 11 are those where there weren’t that many weak singers and in seasons past. For me, they felt pretty evenly matched in that the contestants where very good in what they styles. For example, I’d vote for Pia in Season 10, but I don’t think she’s a bad singer at all…just a little bit “safe” and dull.
Deirdre
June 12th, 2012
11:35 am
MJ at mjsbigblog has picked, in honor of Idol’s 10th anniversary, her favorite performance from each season. You may not agree with them all but, hey, when have we ever agreed about everything? Still, her choices are interesting, eclectic and, while I may not pick all of them as the “best” each season, I have to agree that they are all really good!
http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-10th-anniversary-eleven-favorite-performances-video.htm
Rickster
June 12th, 2012
11:36 am
Good news: “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips is on the road to recovery and looking forward to hitting the road!
http://www.accesshollywood.com/phillip-phillips-out-of-hospital-ready-for-american-idol-tour_article_65993
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
June 12th, 2012
11:38 am
PS. I didn’t mention Pickler as she’s been previously discussed, but I do agree. She is pretty and has done extremely well in her career. She might not have a voice like Carrie’s, but her personality has taken her far.
Deirdre
June 12th, 2012
11:40 am
Rickster, you really have to read the comments first.
Rickster
June 12th, 2012
11:41 am
Oh man… K&CF… wait till Neg sees your list! I have a feeling he’ll take at least slight exception to your Season 6 nominee.
Deirdre
June 12th, 2012
11:42 am
k&cf…great list. Was Haley Scarnato the only one who completely understood that it was her legs that were keeping her in the competition?
Mercedes S.
June 12th, 2012
11:42 am
Is that a death list, Rickster? What about the grumpy old lady with a heart of gold on Wisteria Lane? She died on the show, and in real life too.
Orlando
June 12th, 2012
11:43 am
Sam-A, I will not waste anymore of my time arguing with a fool like you. You have no value for human life, I see. You place more stock in your pets than another human being. You are sad. You probably cook with your dog sitting right on the kitchen counter, and sharing your drink with him too.
Mercedes S.
June 12th, 2012
11:43 am
And, kcf, fab list – agree with all names.
Mercedes S.
June 12th, 2012
11:43 am
Now, can we have one with weak-voiced “cute boys” too?
G
June 12th, 2012
11:43 am
I’m late on a couple of discussions today, but my favs on Idol to this point are:
1.Jessica Sanchez – Just a complete versatile vocalist.
2.Tamyra Grey – Loved her look, poise, and control. She knew who she was as an artist.
3.Melinda Doolittle – One of the best talents I’ve experienced on the show.
4.Fantasia – Pure soul singer. True to her strengths as a vocalists.
5.Mandisa – Much like JHud, with a rich voice and plenty of power.
6.Jennifer Hudson – Had lower register like no other.
7.Kelly Clarkson – Complete powerhouse.
8.Crystal Bowersox – The only W”G”WG I was a fan of…*snicker*
9.Carrie Underwood – One of the few country artists I like.
10.Kimberly Locke – She was just a “solid” performer. Pretty too.
11.Pia Toscano – Yeah she was a strong singer, but…….it’s a guy thing. IDC
12.Katharine McPhee – She really had talent with all of those good looks.
G
June 12th, 2012
11:44 am
^^^Favorite females, that is…..
Mercedes S.
June 12th, 2012
11:45 am
Orlando, my cat sists with me on the kitchen counter and I see nothing wrong with that! (cough cough, darn those cat hairs)
Deirdre
June 12th, 2012
11:45 am
Orlando! People haven’t different opinions. Please don’t call other bloggers names. You AND Sam are both allowed to feel the way you do and comment on it. Completely unnecessary rudeness on your part!!!!!
JTesla aka Maybe
June 12th, 2012
11:45 am
Hold on Rickster, wouldn’t those be 5th and 6th, in essence continuing from last week? Or do you stop counting after 4 days, unless it takes 4 days for the next death to occur? Seems we have had a steady stream of forgotten “celebrities” passing away over the past few months. So, do we total all those up and hope the number is divisible by 3 because in the past this myth needed several months for it to “work”.
Regarding the: “Pretty but can’t sing list” Idol voters tend to get rid of the real beauties (with marginal ability) very early. Most don’t even crack the top 12.
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
June 12th, 2012
11:45 am
Rickster, I know. I’m sure there will be quite a few disagreements with the list, but it was fun putting it together. I liked Haley. I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy her love of hot pants, but… come on, her voice was a few notches above decent.
D, LOL. I’d imagine she wore the hot pants for a reason! But even that didn’t really save her.
Deirdre
June 12th, 2012
11:47 am
“have different opinions”
JTesla aka Maybe
June 12th, 2012
11:48 am
Mercedes regarding your11:43 post: there have been quite a few more of those. Tim Urban, Kevin Covais, Ace Young, DeAndre, etc. Heck, each season seems to have 3 or 4 of them.
G
June 12th, 2012
11:50 am
@Rickster 11:36. Good news, huh? With him being out of the hospital is acceptable good news. However, his making the tour is subjective good news. IJS
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
June 12th, 2012
11:51 am
Whoa, what’s going on today? We’re just a blog discussing our silly and at times cheesy reality show. Sheesh. There’s no need for that vicious commentary. Can’t we all just get along? Or just agree to disagree?
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
June 12th, 2012
11:53 am
JT, you are right. Which is another disclaimer on my list. I only based it on finalists to make it easier.
G
June 12th, 2012
11:59 am
Minnie Riperton had a sweet voice and incredible range.
Other notable singers with range that come to mind are Chante Moore, Mariah Carey, and Maxwell.
JTesla aka Maybe
June 12th, 2012
11:59 am
I agree with K&Cfan, agree to disagree and move on. Wait, that also applies to me doesn’t it! I WILL NEVER AGREE TO DISAGREE!
Sam-A
June 12th, 2012
12:00 pm
Thanks, Deirdre! I was ready to quit with this “person” – since I have chosen not to become one of his serfs and bow down to his every opinion! Funny, I can’t remember even hinting I was “glad” MR was dead! You can’t win with that sort of creepy person.
Orlando
June 12th, 2012
12:00 pm
I have moved on. G, I like your list, i would add Aisha Epperson, she was a decent voice and cute too.
Orlando
June 12th, 2012
12:01 pm
Dont start with the name calling, or I will start again too. I have moved on, I advise you to do the same!
♥ kelly&carriefan ♥
June 12th, 2012
12:02 pm
Here’s the boys list with basically the same rules:
Season 1: RJ Helton and Justin Guarini (Justin can sing, but I thought his voice was weak at times)
Season 2: Josh Gracin
Season 3: Matt Rogers and Jon Peter Lewis
Season 4: Anwar Robinson and Anthony Federov
Season 5: Ace Young and Bucky Covington
Season 6: Chris Richardson, Brandon Rogers and Blake Lewis
Season 7: Jason Castro and David Hernandez
Season 8: Scott McIntyre
Season 9: Tim Urban
I have the same problem with 10 and 11’s guys as I did with the girls. Maybe they’re just too recent in my memory. Tho, I could add Stefano for season 10, but he did prove he can sing at times.
Orlando
June 12th, 2012
12:08 pm
KCf, not into guys but do you remeber Chip Days? he could sing, but didnt do well on competition, my sister use to like him. He went on to write, wrote a big hit for Charlie Wilson.
JTesla aka Maybe
June 12th, 2012
12:08 pm
Sam-A, by all means re-read Deirdre’s 11:45 am post and substitute your name for Orlando’s.
Why don’t you two not make any alluding to each other for a bit and continue the fun discussion of… who knows what we are discussing next.
Cats. Yes there we go. Mine caught a mouse the other day, well caught the same one four times because of my lack of skill in getting it out of the house.
JTesla aka Maybe
June 12th, 2012
12:10 pm
Good list K&Cfan.
Deirdre
June 12th, 2012
12:19 pm
Sometimes it’s just hard to let go. I have the same problem!
G
June 12th, 2012
12:20 pm
Some people think that PP was weak on his vocals because he was in pain. Now that surgery is over, the tour should validate that claim.
Rickster
June 12th, 2012
12:24 pm
Hey Orlando (11:43): Matthew 5:22
JTesla aka Maybe
June 12th, 2012
12:33 pm
Takes two to tango.