LOS ANGELES - TV talent show "American Idol" launches its sixth season on Tuesday with its customary assortment of tone-deaf wannabes and acerbic judges plus a handful of changes aimed at sustaining its monster ratings.
Despite producing bonafide stars like Kelly Clarkson, country singer Carrie Underwood and Golden Globe winner Jennifer Hudson in the movie "Dreamgirls," the question this year is not so much whom viewers will vote as the winner in May, but how long the family-friendly show can continue its winning ratings streak. It garnered an average 30 million viewers per episode last year.
But in case interest begins to flag as the singers are whittled down in the viewer-voting format, producers are promising a public songwriting contest for the winning singer's first single. They are also teasing a big midseason surprise, but keeping details under wraps for now.
For the first time, episodes will be available on the http://www.americanidol.com/ Web site after they air and individual performances will be available on Cingular cell phones.
The show has also spawned merchandise ranging from a PlayStation karaoke game to Nestle candy bars and new Dreyer's ice-cream flavors Drumstick Diva, Roc'n'Rolo and Hollywood cheesecake.
Win or lose -- and either result has made stars out of 2006 4th placed Chris Daughtry, 2003 runner-up Clay Aiken and 2004 7th placed Jennifer Hudson -- for the 12 eventual finalists, "Idol" is primarily about the music and about people power.
Aiming to find the nation's next instant pop star, the show -- a spin-off of a British hit that was a surprise US success in 2002 and became the top-rated US television show in 2006 -- kicks off a two-day, four hour premiere on Fox TV on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Despite producing bonafide stars like Kelly Clarkson, country singer Carrie Underwood and Golden Globe winner Jennifer Hudson in the movie "Dreamgirls," the question this year is not so much whom viewers will vote as the winner in May, but how long the family-friendly show can continue its winning ratings streak. It garnered an average 30 million viewers per episode last year.
"I think this is the greatest music talent show ever, right?," record producer Randy Jackson, one of the three-judge panel, told a conference call last week. "I think the show can continue to be successful as long as we go out and find great talent."
For fans, it will be business as usual on Tuesday with the start of seven shows of must-see auditions of awful and occasionally awe-inspiring performers from major US cities.
But in case interest begins to flag as the singers are whittled down in the viewer-voting format, producers are promising a public songwriting contest for the winning singer's first single. They are also teasing a big midseason surprise, but keeping details under wraps for now.
$2.5 billion franchise
For the first time, episodes will be available on the http://www.americanidol.com/ Web site after they air and individual performances will be available on Cingular cell phones.
Paul McCartney and Mariah Carey are among the stars reportedly being courted for an appearance in 2007 after the show upped its music credentials last year with guest spots from Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart and a live performance by the reclusive Prince in the finale.
Advertising Age this month estimated the "American Idol" franchise at $2.5 billion, including $500 million a year in domestic advertising sales on Fox TV, and millions more in CD sales, music downloads and live "Idol" tour fees.
Advertising Age this month estimated the "American Idol" franchise at $2.5 billion, including $500 million a year in domestic advertising sales on Fox TV, and millions more in CD sales, music downloads and live "Idol" tour fees.
The show has also spawned merchandise ranging from a PlayStation karaoke game to Nestle candy bars and new Dreyer's ice-cream flavors Drumstick Diva, Roc'n'Rolo and Hollywood cheesecake.
Win or lose -- and either result has made stars out of 2006 4th placed Chris Daughtry, 2003 runner-up Clay Aiken and 2004 7th placed Jennifer Hudson -- for the 12 eventual finalists, "Idol" is primarily about the music and about people power.
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