Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Cowell departure another jolt to weakening 'Idol'
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Asia Pacific
World
Cowell departure another jolt to weakening 'Idol'
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY,AP Music Writer -
Wednesday, January 13
Send
IM Story
Print
NEW YORK – With Simon Cowell's days numbered and Paula Abdul already gone, this season is shaping up to be the end of an era for the nation's most-popular show, Fox's "American Idol."
But when it comes to living up to its title _ creating a superstar act that captures the imagination of millions _ the power of "Idol" has been ebbing for years. While it produced mutliplatinum sensations in its earlier days, starting with Kelly Clarkson and ending with Carrie Underwood, recent "Idol" winners or runners-up have not had similar chart success.
Kris Allen, last year's champion, has sold about 200,000 copies of his debut album. And while his "Idol" runner-up, Adam Lambert, proved to be more popular and controversial, even his debut hasn't stayed at the top of the charts for long.
"When you start thinking about `American Idol' as a place that feeds the music business, it's not as much as people think it is," said Howard Benson, who produced the first two CDs for "Idol"-finalist Chris Daughtry's multiplatinum band, Daughtry. "It's fallen off."
Of course, "fallen off" is all relative when you're talking about a show that's been the undisputed ratings champion since it debuted in 2003. It has produced millions and millions in albums sales, Grammy Awards, and even an Oscar winner in Jennifer Hudson, who is also a Grammy winner and successful recording artist. Even the also-rans of "Idol" have managed to parlay career success after an "Idol" stint.
"It is by far still the most watched show on TV _ even more watched in some years than the Academy Awards and the Grammys or anything like that" says Ann Donahue, senior editor at Billboard magazine. "But actually translating those people who watch the show into buying albums remains difficult.
Like the rest of the music industry, "Idol" is battling a decline in music sales. But even taking that into account, the drop-off in sales and buzz for "Idol" winners is telling. When Clarkson became the show's first winner in 2003, her album, "Thankful," debuted at No. 1 and sold a healthy 297,000 copies, and had hits like "A Moment Like This" and "Miss Independent." It went on to sell 2.7 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The next year, champ Ruben Studdard sold 1.8 million and had the hit "Sorry 2004." Clay Aiken, that year's runner-up, did even better, selling 2.7 million copies of his CD, "Measure of a Man."
Studdard was followed by Fantasia, whose "Free Yourself" also sold 1.8 million and had the R&B hit "Free Yourself." Underwood established herself as the show's most successful winner _ her country debut sold nearly 7 million copies with major crossover hits like "Jesus Take the Wheel" and "Before He Cheats."
But the next winner, Taylor Hicks, was a major disappointment, selling 700,000 copies of his self-titled debut. Jordin Sparks followed with a platinum self-titled debut CD and hit songs, while David Cook had a platinum CD, also self-titled but without the hits.
This year, "Idol" champ Kris Allen released his self-titled CD to little fanfare. It didn't debut at the top of the charts and now sits at No. 91 on Billboard's Hot 200 albums chart and hasn't generated a top hit thus far.
In a recent interview, Underwood said being on "Idol" is not a guarantee of success, even if you have a hit debut.
"You look at people who came before me too, like some of them you haven't really heard from in awhile. And I don't think it's just since me. I think you've got to have a lot of luck on your side, too. Just because people vote for you doesn't mean they'll go out and buy your album, and especially now," she said.
"You know you look at the music industry and all the changes it's gone through in the past five years, I don't know, it's just maybe in a different way they are successful, but they're just not selling the numbers because nobody's selling the numbers they did five, six years ago."
Still, the success of "Britain's Got Talent" finalist Susan Boyle shows if an artist piques the interest of America, they can still generate huge sales. Boyle's debut CD, "I Dreamed a Dream," has sold more than 3 million copies since it was released in November (the same month that Allen and Lambert's CDs were released). Boyle's CD was produced by a judge on "Britain's Got Talent" _ the judge being Simon Cowell.
In an interview with Fox News, Cowell said he decided to leave the show after this season because "I don't think you should be doing the same thing over and over again."
"I hope and believe it's still the No. 1 show in America, which is a pretty good place to be. I think in a way it's a good thing for the show because it breaks it up you know it'll be speculation as to who's going to replace me and more shows need that," he said. "You can't have the same people the whole time, it gets boring."
Idol has already provided the show with some jolts. Last year, it added a fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi, to the original panel of Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, and last year, Abdul announced her departure and is being replaced by sunny talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres.
Donahue says contestants like Allen did well in digital downloads of their show performances, and that may be the best way to gauge their success since the show is more popular with the 18-to-49-year-old demographic, who tend to buy singles more than CDs.
"More and more we can expect Idols do pretty well in terms of their digital downloads ... but maybe it's not really a fair measurement anymore to see how they do in albums, because the people who watch the show, who buy music, buy singles, they don't buy albums," she said.
Fantasia, who had a gold CD and success on Broadway after her initial success, said in the end, the success or failure of any "Idol" depends on the winner _ and not "Idol."
"It's in your hands. We had to fight for (our success) as well. ... You have to make sure you put out great music and sell yourself," she said.
___
Eds: AP Writer Chris Talbott contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Rap producer Shawty Redd due in Georgia court AP - 1 hour 29 minutes ago
`Smudge' deals with difficulty of parenthood AP - 2 hours 31 minutes ago
Tobey Maguire, director won't return for 'Spider-Man 4' AFP - Tuesday, January 12
Rapper Lloyd Banks arrested in Canada Reuters - Tuesday, January 12
2 of 3 Dixie Chicks returning with new music AP - Tuesday, January 12
News Search
Top Stories
Airbus warns military plane failure threatens company
US trade deficit widens as imports grow
Optimism fills Detroit auto show
Incoming EU trade chief sees WTO deal by 2011
Woman who saved Anne Frank's diary dead at 100
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Woman who saved Anne Frank's diary dead at 100
Venezuela army shuts stores amid devaluation panic
Next 40 years key for climate change: study
World economy getting back to normal: central bankers
US keeps AAA rating with Fitch despite concerns
More Most Viewed »
Beat the blues by going to bed early: study
Huge tomb found at Egypt's Saqqara pyramid
Woman who saved Anne Frank's diary dead at 100
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 Israel to build 2 fences on porous Egyptian border
N.Ireland leader stands aside over wife's sex scandal
Kodak settles camera patent dispute with Samsung
Bomber urged more attacks before striking CIA
|
Iran prosecutor urges no leniency for detainees
Optimism at Detroit auto show as industry banks on recovery
Yemenis know where hostages are: German FM
North Korea calls for peace treaty to replace armistice
|
Alcatel, telcos, chip makers launch green research
US keeps AAA rating with Fitch despite concerns
N. Ireland leader steps aside to clear name
Egypt says Israel's border fence "not our concern"
Snow hits southern Spain as big freeze sweeps Europe
World economy getting back to normal: central bankers
Iraq: Election worker killed in March vote run-up
Northern Ireland leader to step down temporarily
|
Six foreign troops killed in Afghanistan: NATO
Algeria protests at new U.S. air security rules
|
Qaeda demands ransom for French hostage in Mali
Egypt says Israel's border fence not our concern
|
Al Qaeda sets deadline for French hostage's life
|
Hendrix family, Sony to release "new" album
Kodak settles camera patent dispute with Samsung
Navy SEAL's trial in detainee abuse moved to Iraq
White House defends health tax opposed by labor
Republicans cite Lott in calling for Reid to quit
NH tax evader gets 37 years on weapons charges
Google Nexus One phone parts cost $174: iSuppli
|
Trial opens in murder, kidnapping from womb case
NKorea proposes treaty to formally end Korean War
Father in Colo. balloon boy hoax reports to jail
Europe's Internet kids like to keep it real
|
Clinton starts Asia tour amid concerns over Japan ties
Kodak settles camera patent dispute with Samsung
|
Lawmaker may seek fed oversight of California cops
Australia attacks may "cast a shadow" on ties
Canadian man mauled to death by his pet tiger
Gurkha veterans lose UK court battle on pensions
Japan tech needs M&A but patent war more likely
|
Obama to attend funeral for Biden's mother
N.Korea wants peace treaty with the US
Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina Loans Campaign $2.5 Million
6 troops, including 3 US, killed in Afghanistan
Toyota Announces New Line Of Eco-Friendly Cars
Food Scientist Warns Against Population-Wide Salt Reduction Program
India, Bangladesh pledge to combat terrorism
Cynthia Nixon Talks Joining Campaign To End Florida Gay Adoption Ban
China sends Rio case to prosecutors
Florida Families Suffer Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After Using Barbecue Grill To Warm Homes
Congressional Black Caucus Accepts Harry Reid's (D-Nev) Apology
Pakistani couple kills baby in sacrificial ritual
Top House Republican Leader's Chief Of Staff Dies
After Being Named Top Elvis Impersonator, Blagojevich Declares He's 'Blacker Than Obama'
Record Low South Florida Temperatures Cause Massive Power Outages
Two Georgia Teens Drown In Icy Lake
China sends Rio Tinto bribery case to prosecutors
Cambodian govt returns air traffic firm to Thais
Simon Cowell says will leave American Idol in 2010
|
Posey, Spurlock, Kusama join Sundance juries
F1 star Hamilton and Pussycat Dolls singer split
Denzel Washington wields Bible in Eli
|
Hendrix family, Sony to release new album
|
Hendrix family, Sony to release "new" album
In tough times, French take English immersion classes at home
French New Wave film director Eric Rohmer dies
|
Britain's Tate unveils mislaid Blake etchings
Indonesia arrests Australian allegedly with drugs
India unveils transsexual talent show
What will Conan O'Brien do?
Blagojevich: `Blacker' than Obama comment `stupid'
Taylor Lautner set to appear at the Golden Globes
Geek Fact: Binary Code Reflected In Today's Date (011010)
Ashland NY Firehouse Burns Down
Texas Teen Denies Hiring Classmate To Kill Mother
Device For Mobile Phone VoIP To Hit Stores
Composer Threatens To Sue Philippine Presidential Candidate For Unauthorized Use Of Song In Campaign Ad
Ex British PM's advisor to appear at Iraq probe
AOL to begin cutting jobs after volunteers run short
North Korea digs in on U.S. peace talks demand
|
Venezuela army shuts stores amid devaluation panic
Major powers seen meeting on Iran this week
US-TECH Summary
Pakistan seen becoming more Islamist, anti-U.S
|
Google Nexus One phone parts cost $174: iSuppli
New EU foreign chief criticised for lack of specifics
Next 40 years key for climate change: study
Palestinians say Israel kills two in Gaza
Sudan's Bashir retires as army chief before vote
Tehran bomb kills university professor: TV
|
Obama security aide to join Mideast peace push
Prehistoric building found in modern Israeli city
Chadian rebels attack, rape Darfuris
Archbishop accuses China over role in Sudan
Palestinians say Israel kills two in Gaza
|
China unveils anti-missile test after Taiwan sale
|
Chilean museum raises Pinochet's ghost before vote
|
Sony to open new chapter in "Spider-Man" saga
Texas school board keeps ban on boy's long hair
CAPITAL CULTURE: WH garden ex'seeds' expectations
SKorea, US dismiss NKorea's peace talks proposal
Vegetable gardening at the White House
Ex-Philippine leader says 'destined' for new term
Hawaii's missing moon rocks found
NYC amusement park strongman, 104, killed by van
8-yr-old boys save drowning man at Aussie beach
Japan tech needs M&A but patent war more likely
|
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Mass. friend: Tylenol killings suspect submits DNA
N.Zealand, Fiji OK improving relations: minister
Clinton: Iran sanctions should target elite
Japan coast guard searches for 10 fishermen
Some fear Kan. ruling may spur abortion violence
New Zealand, Fiji agree to thaw frosty relations
US court urged to dismiss Guantanamo case
Shallow quake hits off Taiwan
Highlights of Hollywood's 2010 movie lineup
Seoul shares gain as exporters rise; banks fall
American: $2 billion income for JAL from alliance
Pakistani c.bank buys 18.65 bln rupees of T-bills
Pakistani c.bank to buy T-bills in 4-day reverse repo
Tobey Maguire, director won't return for 'Spider-Man 4'
S.Korea financial regulators to review forex risk
Rapper Lloyd Banks arrested in Canada
Bright Food interested in $1.4B CSR sugar division
India's Infosys reports Q3 drop in net profit
2 of 3 Dixie Chicks returning with new music
PAKISTAN
Ke$ha to end Boyle's run atop U.S. album chart
Philippines: exports rebound after 10-month fall
New "24" finds Jack Bauer smiling. But not for long
Seoul shares fall on financials; eyes on won
Maguire, Raimi out of 'Spider-Man' franchise
Simon Cowell leaves Idol to launch own show
|
Sarah Palin joins Fox as a contributor
|
Return of the campaign book: 'Game Change' a hit
New 24 finds Jack Bauer smiling. But not for long
|
Watching hours of TV daily could shorten your life
Ke$ha to end Boyle's run atop U.S. album chart
|
CA appeals court overturns award in Jackson taping
Andrew Lloyd Webber urges men to get cancer tests
|
Andrew Lloyd Webber urges men to get cancer tests
Fox waits for Conan O'Brien to decide his own fate
|
Rapper Lloyd Banks arrested in Canada
|
Sony to open new chapter in Spider-Man saga
|
Mel Gibson movie relocates Mexican inmates
|
Incoming EU trade chief sees WTO deal by 2011
Pro-Iran hackers hit China search engine
Iraq says explosives seized in security operation
China's Baidu website defaced by Twitter hackers
Western, Afghan troops fire during demonstration
|
Woman who saved Anne Frank's diary dead at 100
Iran accuses US, Israel of killing nuclear scientist
Iran blames U.S., Israel in killing of scientist
Mass car bomb threats prompt Baghdad lockdown
Israel snubs Turkish ambassador in public
Yemen starts talks with kidnappers, violence flares
|
Iran confirms nuclear scientist killed in bomb blast
Blair vowed military support if Iraq diplomacy failed
|
Nigerian president ends silence, says recovering
|
Iran university lecturer killed in bomb blast: state TV
Iraqi forces seize explosives, arrest 25 in raids
|
Four Saudi soldiers killed near Yemen frontier: report
|
Iraq invasion had no legal backing: Dutch report
|
Fewer free countries in 2009: Freedom House
|
Dignitaries gather for Biden's mother's funeral
Obama attends funeral for VP's mother
60 ex-officers petition China's top military body
SKorea, US dismiss NKorea's peace talks proposal
Coast Guard responds to fuel spill in Alaska
Couples testify in California gay marriage trial
China plans for world's highest airport in Tibet
Khmer Rouge victims' group founded but lacks funds
Clinton seeks answer to sticky dispute with Japan
Sri Lankans demand justice for slain editor
3 Chinese arrested over factory accident in India
Saudi allegedly posed as pilot at Manila airport
Suicide is rising among young male war veterans
Google's investment arm to grow partner ranks
|
Analysis: Post-racial era yet to dawn in America
Hackers paralyze China's top search engine
eMusic inks Warner deal; plans for streaming
|
On this rare map, China is the center of the world
NATO: 13 insurgents killed by missile
China plans world's highest airport in Tibet
Forrester sees global tech spending rebound in 2010
|
Q+A: What's driving China's latest Web crackdown
|
Shanda Games buys U.S. firm to expand global presence
|
Mexican tycoon Slim's telecom empire loses luster
|
Google Nexus One phone parts cost $174: iSuppli
|
China's Baidu website defaced by Twitter hackers
|
Pakistan o/n rates ease; rupee soft; stocks down
China moves to rein in lending amid overheating fears
American, partners boost JAL support offer
S&P affirms South Korea credit rating with stable outlook
Reports: Chinese power plants running out of coal
Huadian Power plans Cambodia hydroelectric plant
Taiwan c.bank cites groups supporting capital controls
Japan shrugs off JAL tumble as Asia shares mixed
American Airlines ups ante in JAL bidding war
Pakistan c.bank lowers c/a deficit forecast
Indonesian military's 'empire' poses threat: HRW
Indonesia fails to end military businesses
Cowell departure another jolt to weakening 'Idol'
Sweden to abolish affirmative action at universities
No easy riding for Gaza bikers
Taliban bombs sap Pakistan party spirit
Australian research says TV can kill
Zemeckis finds Beatles for Yellow Submarine
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights