Five Years Later, Has American Idol Produced any superstars?

buddytv · 09-27-2006, 03:13 AM

It's like a grand experiment, this American Idol. It starts with a thesis: "There is an identifiable "X" factor that contributes to super-stardom". Then, the experiment, in two phases: First, a small group of industry insiders winnow through a diverse group using their experience to discern American Idol possibilities, then over several weeks the audiences of American Idol choose who think would make a good star. This seems to have the making of solid science, allowing some margin for cranks on the internet boosting the voting process, but in the five years since American Idol has debuted, has it succeeded in producing a star capable of unassisted flight. And what of the secondary purported effect of an American Idol appearance, which states that just making it into the bottom five assures you success? Let's review.

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Guest · 12-27-2006, 09:32 PM

I think you failed to take a very good look at Carrie Underwood. How many awards do you need to see her get to say she is a star? Season 5 will be the best yet and Quite a few out of the top 10 are, and will be doing great. Chris's first album is already platinum and when Mcphee's album hits the street on January 30th it should go up in lights immediately. This past top 10 was better than any previous top 10 season. Idol gets better every year because the music industry has started to take a better look at it. Which is why you are seeing bigger stars show up on the show every year. I mean Prince?? Sheesh!!

Guest · 12-30-2006, 04:13 PM

You said "American Idol has yet to present a success which has not struggled with the halo of their made-for-tv roots, and the numbers show that for all those votes a small percentage of supporters are actually going out to buy albums."

It's clear you did not include Carrie Underwood when you made this statement. You would have to be as blind as a bat to not see the Superstar status she has achieved in 1 years time. All the top awards and the 5X Platinum Debut Album speak for themselves. At every award show is has always Thanked American Idol.

2005 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS
Won Top Selling Hot 100 Song of the Year for Inside Your Heaven
Won Top Selling Country Single of the Year for Inside Your Heaven
Won Country Single Sales Artist of the Year

2005 TEEN CHOICE AWARDS
Won TV Choice Reality/Variety Star

2006 CMT VIDEO AWARDS
Won Breakthrough Video of the Year for Jesus, Take The Wheel
Won Female Video Of The Year for Jesus, Take The Wheel
Won Most Inspiring Video Of

Guest · 12-30-2006, 04:15 PM

2006 NARM AWARDS
Won Country Breakout Artist of the Year
2006 ACM AWARDS
Won Top New Female Vocalist
Won Single Of The Year for Jesus, Take The Wheel
Won Song of the Year for Jesus, Take The Wheel
2006 GMA AWARDS
Won Country Recorded Song Of The Year for Jesus, Take The Wheel
2006 INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY AWARDS
Won Song of the Year for Jesus, Take the Wheel
Won Video of the Year for Jesus, Take the Wheel
2006 NEW MUSIC AWARD
Won Country Female Artist of the Year
2006 TEEN CHOICE AWARDS
Won Choice Music - Female Artist
Won Choice - Breakout Female
2006 CMA AWARDS
Won Female Artist of the Year
Won Horizon Award
2006 AMA AWARDS
Won Favorite Female Artist
Won Favorite New Breakthrough Artist (all genres)
2006 WORLD MUSIC AWARDS
Won World's Best New Artist

Guest · 12-30-2006, 04:17 PM

2006 WORLD MUSIC AWARDS
Won World's Best New Artist
2006 MUSIC ROW MAGAZINE AWARDS
Won Critics' Pick for best new artist
2006 FRENCH COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
Won Best Female Vocalist of the Year
Won Best New Talent of the Year
2006 BILLBOARD AWARDS
Won Album of the Year (all genres)
Won Country Album of the Year
Won Female Country Artist of the Year
Won New Country Artist of the Year
Won Female Billboard 200 Artist of the Year
2007 GRAMMY AWARDS
Nominated for:
Song of the Year (JTTW)
Best New Artist
Best Female Country Vocal Performance (JTTW)
Best Country Song (JTTW)

Guest · 01-06-2007, 11:29 PM

Not only does your analysis totally miss the boat where Carrie Underwood -- and out-of-the-gate superstar -- is concerned, but your personal dislike for Clay Aiken's image and/or vocal style masquerades as some sort of analysis of general public opinion. "... almost universal loathing of his seeming awkwardness?" What planet are you living on?? Kelly's sophomore album of original pop/rock has far surpassed Clay's RCA-dictated mostly covers AC sophomore album, but he's seen a non-digital single that sold a million copies, a 3x platinum debut album, a record-setting platinum holiday album, and a sophomore album that quickly went gold without much promo or any airplay. It's obvious that not everybody shares your distaste for Clay or your preference for the music of Justin, Ruben, Fantasia, etc.

You are of course entitled to your own opinions (cf. your ranking of the top 10 Idols and runners-up), but when you address the question of whether Idol has produced any superstars, you

Guest · 01-06-2007, 11:32 PM

(continuing)
It's obvious that not everybody shares your distaste for Clay or your preference for the music of Justin, Ruben, Fantasia, etc. You are of course entitled to your own opinions (cf. your ranking of the top 10 Idols and runners-up), but when you address the question of whether Idol has produced any superstars, you really should rely more on objective information and less on your personal tastes.

Genie

PS,
Chris Daughtry, despite coming in 4th on AI, has seen his debut RMG album go platinum right out of the gate. He seems to be soaring to stardom despite having risen to national attention on Idol.

Guest · 01-08-2007, 03:37 PM

Methinks you dislike Clay immensely-for no reason. Very puzzling your comments about this incredible person/performer. His 'awkwardness'??? He was one of the most-if not THE most, polished performer AI has ever had on. Clay has been performing since he was very young child. Performed in his HS musicals-with Broadway-caliber performances; hosted a local music show; performed at weddings, and many other venues way before AI. His live stage performances on his tours are incredible. He is the most versitile performer to ever come out of AI (and he play the piano and writes lyrics, too!!). Ruben was the MOST awkward on stage. (Who was chosen to emcee AI2's Xmas Special???????) Clay also has appeared on TV and in magazines more than any other Idol. And I mean has a performer and guest. Not for the 'tabloid crap'. He is a 'wanted' man!!!

wave54 · 01-29-2008, 12:13 AM

To tjs:

Clay is probably the most divisive of all the finalists -- you either love him like no other or absolutely detest him and his singing style.

Get over it. I can appreciate your devotion, but I'd rather ram a screwdriver through my eardrums than listen to a single note. That has nothing to do with "awkwardness".

wave54 · 01-29-2008, 12:15 AM

Hey Geno -- are you Carrie Underwood's press agent?? Sheeez!

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09-27-2006, 03:13 AM	#1
buddytv Administrator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 11,778,727	It's like a grand experiment, this American Idol. It starts with a thesis: "There is an identifiable "X" factor that contributes to super-stardom". Then, the experiment, in two phases: First, a small group of industry insiders winnow through a diverse group using their experience to discern American Idol possibilities, then over several weeks the audiences of American Idol choose who think would make a good star. This seems to have the making of solid science, allowing some margin for cranks on the internet boosting the voting process, but in the five years since American Idol has debuted, has it succeeded in producing a star capable of unassisted flight. And what of the secondary purported effect of an American Idol appearance, which states that just making it into the bottom five assures you success? Let's review. To read the rest, click here.

12-27-2006, 09:32 PM	#2
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	I think you failed to take a very good look at Carrie Underwood. How many awards do you need to see her get to say she is a star? Season 5 will be the best yet and Quite a few out of the top 10 are, and will be doing great. Chris's first album is already platinum and when Mcphee's album hits the street on January 30th it should go up in lights immediately. This past top 10 was better than any previous top 10 season. Idol gets better every year because the music industry has started to take a better look at it. Which is why you are seeing bigger stars show up on the show every year. I mean Prince?? Sheesh!!

12-30-2006, 04:13 PM	#3
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	You said "American Idol has yet to present a success which has not struggled with the halo of their made-for-tv roots, and the numbers show that for all those votes a small percentage of supporters are actually going out to buy albums." It's clear you did not include Carrie Underwood when you made this statement. You would have to be as blind as a bat to not see the Superstar status she has achieved in 1 years time. All the top awards and the 5X Platinum Debut Album speak for themselves. At every award show is has always Thanked American Idol. 2005 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS Won Top Selling Hot 100 Song of the Year for Inside Your Heaven Won Top Selling Country Single of the Year for Inside Your Heaven Won Country Single Sales Artist of the Year 2005 TEEN CHOICE AWARDS Won TV Choice Reality/Variety Star 2006 CMT VIDEO AWARDS Won Breakthrough Video of the Year for Jesus, Take The Wheel Won Female Video Of The Year for Jesus, Take The Wheel Won Most Inspiring Video Of

12-30-2006, 04:15 PM	#4
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	2006 NARM AWARDS Won Country Breakout Artist of the Year 2006 ACM AWARDS Won Top New Female Vocalist Won Single Of The Year for Jesus, Take The Wheel Won Song of the Year for Jesus, Take The Wheel 2006 GMA AWARDS Won Country Recorded Song Of The Year for Jesus, Take The Wheel 2006 INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY AWARDS Won Song of the Year for Jesus, Take the Wheel Won Video of the Year for Jesus, Take the Wheel 2006 NEW MUSIC AWARD Won Country Female Artist of the Year 2006 TEEN CHOICE AWARDS Won Choice Music - Female Artist Won Choice - Breakout Female 2006 CMA AWARDS Won Female Artist of the Year Won Horizon Award 2006 AMA AWARDS Won Favorite Female Artist Won Favorite New Breakthrough Artist (all genres) 2006 WORLD MUSIC AWARDS Won World's Best New Artist

12-30-2006, 04:17 PM	#5
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	2006 WORLD MUSIC AWARDS Won World's Best New Artist 2006 MUSIC ROW MAGAZINE AWARDS Won Critics' Pick for best new artist 2006 FRENCH COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS Won Best Female Vocalist of the Year Won Best New Talent of the Year 2006 BILLBOARD AWARDS Won Album of the Year (all genres) Won Country Album of the Year Won Female Country Artist of the Year Won New Country Artist of the Year Won Female Billboard 200 Artist of the Year 2007 GRAMMY AWARDS Nominated for: Song of the Year (JTTW) Best New Artist Best Female Country Vocal Performance (JTTW) Best Country Song (JTTW)

01-06-2007, 11:29 PM	#6
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	Not only does your analysis totally miss the boat where Carrie Underwood -- and out-of-the-gate superstar -- is concerned, but your personal dislike for Clay Aiken's image and/or vocal style masquerades as some sort of analysis of general public opinion. "... almost universal loathing of his seeming awkwardness?" What planet are you living on?? Kelly's sophomore album of original pop/rock has far surpassed Clay's RCA-dictated mostly covers AC sophomore album, but he's seen a non-digital single that sold a million copies, a 3x platinum debut album, a record-setting platinum holiday album, and a sophomore album that quickly went gold without much promo or any airplay. It's obvious that not everybody shares your distaste for Clay or your preference for the music of Justin, Ruben, Fantasia, etc. You are of course entitled to your own opinions (cf. your ranking of the top 10 Idols and runners-up), but when you address the question of whether Idol has produced any superstars, you

01-06-2007, 11:32 PM	#7
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	(continuing) It's obvious that not everybody shares your distaste for Clay or your preference for the music of Justin, Ruben, Fantasia, etc. You are of course entitled to your own opinions (cf. your ranking of the top 10 Idols and runners-up), but when you address the question of whether Idol has produced any superstars, you really should rely more on objective information and less on your personal tastes. Genie PS, Chris Daughtry, despite coming in 4th on AI, has seen his debut RMG album go platinum right out of the gate. He seems to be soaring to stardom despite having risen to national attention on Idol.

01-08-2007, 03:37 PM	#8
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	Methinks you dislike Clay immensely-for no reason. Very puzzling your comments about this incredible person/performer. His 'awkwardness'??? He was one of the most-if not THE most, polished performer AI has ever had on. Clay has been performing since he was very young child. Performed in his HS musicals-with Broadway-caliber performances; hosted a local music show; performed at weddings, and many other venues way before AI. His live stage performances on his tours are incredible. He is the most versitile performer to ever come out of AI (and he play the piano and writes lyrics, too!!). Ruben was the MOST awkward on stage. (Who was chosen to emcee AI2's Xmas Special???????) Clay also has appeared on TV and in magazines more than any other Idol. And I mean has a performer and guest. Not for the 'tabloid crap'. He is a 'wanted' man!!!

01-29-2008, 12:13 AM	#9
wave54 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 34	To tjs: Clay is probably the most divisive of all the finalists -- you either love him like no other or absolutely detest him and his singing style. Get over it. I can appreciate your devotion, but I'd rather ram a screwdriver through my eardrums than listen to a single note. That has nothing to do with "awkwardness".

01-29-2008, 12:15 AM	#10
wave54 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 34	Hey Geno -- are you Carrie Underwood's press agent?? Sheeez!