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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2006 > December > 19 > Entry
12/20: Big midseason surprise??
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Fox execs generally try to keep things low key, not trying to overhype, managing expectations.
But in The Daily News, “American Idol” executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz (there’s a new name!) promises there’s a mid-season event “that will blow America away.”
What could they possibly do? We know they’re doing a songwriting contest but that can’t possibly “blow America away.” Any ideas folks?
As we regulars know, “Idol” has managed to see ratings go up every year since season one, a virtually unprecedented situation. We’re now entering season six. Is this the moment where things start to finally slip?
Frot-Coutaz said a drop is not out of the realm of possibility.
“Look,” she said, “it’s always in the back of your mind. The only thing we can do is make the best show we can and find the best talent as possible. The rest, some of it is up to Fox and how they promoted it. The rest is the competitive landscape. If we keep giving [viewers] something entertaining, it will be fine.”
Does anyone know if Frot-Coutaz is new? I’ve never heard of her!
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Shay
December 20, 2006 8:47 AM | Link to this
O.k. here is some Entertainment News. It has been reported that Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce are having problems with each other. But this report has been reported as false and the real report is that Jennifer was supposed to sign with Mathew Knowles (Beyonce’s father) but turned the offer down and signed with Clive Davis. Apparently, Mathew got mad and launched a smear campaign of Hudson and he requested (from the execs) to have some of Hudson’s scenes cut from the movie and to give Beyonce more scenes in Dreamgirls. Knowles spokesmen are not commenting at this time.
Ain’t this some sh*t!!! Daddy Knowles stay in more trouble than some of these young folk. He ain’t doing nothing but making Beyonce look bad. I think its time that he back up a little before he ruins this girl 100%.
By Deirdre
December 20, 2006 9:42 AM | Link to this
I can just hear Yo Daddy on this subject! :)
By Lara
December 20, 2006 9:45 AM | Link to this
Hmm, how about one of the judges gets up and walks out? Simon and Randy come to blows? Simon and Paula agree on something? Seacrest shaves before the show?
Just some thoughts…
By Carla
December 20, 2006 9:49 AM | Link to this
Come on shay. Do you really believe that Matthew Knowles has that much power where he can tell them to cut Jennifer’s scenes??? I don’t think so. I think this just another media ploy to pit B and Jennifer against each other. This has been going on since it was reported that both would be in the movie. Don’t believe the hype!
By Carla
December 20, 2006 9:53 AM | Link to this
I think the surprise will be that the contestants start displaying their true emotions about each other. No more cheering for everyone. I think the btches and a*holes are going to take center stage even more. Move over Brenna!!
By Shay
December 20, 2006 9:55 AM | Link to this
No, I don’t believe he has that much power. The first thought that came to my mind was that is wasn’t true but I thought I would share the story as I heard read it :>)
By Shay
December 20, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this
Lara, that’s funny! I was thinking more of a surprise with the kids, if nothing else. The fact that it is happening mid season has me puzzled, which I took as it meaning it will involve the top 12. Maybe the top 12 will be singing with celebrities. Oh wait, they tried that idea with (Duets) and it bombed. I don’t think having them sing songs they wrote themselves is good either. Talk about ratings dropping.
By Eve
December 20, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
Shay: Jennifer Hudson did a telephone interview with Ryan Cameron last week and she told him that the media is hyping up a lot of turmoil between her and Beyonce and that none of it is true. She said that the two of them got along fine and that there was absolutely no animosity between the two of them.
I believe that the media is trying to cause conflict between them because I was in the grocery store yesterday and the new issue of “Jet” was on the stand and the Dreamgirls were on the cover and the caption read “Jennifer Hudson and the Dreamgirls”. Everybody knows Beyonce is the leading lady in Dreamgirls so who is really putting the conflict out there? The media.
As for American Idol doing something new, they could cut out a lot of phase 2 (the Hollywood cuts) and go from tryouts to the final 12 and then focus more on the personal lives of the 12 contestants so that we really get to know each of them. I’ve never understood why they show so many personal clips of some of the contestants who never make it into the final 12 and then there are finalists who we know absolutely nothing about.
Sorry for ranting guys.
By greg
December 20, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this
LOL!!!!!I hope everything works out!
By Deirdre
December 20, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this
The surprise has to be someone who’s coming on the show to ‘help’ the contestants. Someone big, like McCartney or all 5 previous winners.
By Shay
December 20, 2006 1:20 PM | Link to this
I think the top five singing with the five winners will be good or them singing the winners’ hits will be good.
By Carla
December 20, 2006 1:50 PM | Link to this
Maybe they’re going to change up the voting and once they get to a certain point, Simon, Randy, and Paula will have a say.
By Shay
December 20, 2006 2:32 PM | Link to this
That wouldn’t be a good idea either Carla. They don’t want to take control of the votes away from the viewers because that’s the whole excitement of watching the show. Ratings would definitely drop. We already disagree with who they put in the top 32 every single year, because we know some people make it for the wrong reasons. I think Deirdre hit the nail on the head with a surprise guest.
By Lara
December 20, 2006 2:53 PM | Link to this
Yes, but they have done the guest thing over and over. I would hope they have some other rabbit to pull out of their hats - maybe that is it - the contestants have to learn magic tricks!!!
By Shay
December 20, 2006 3:14 PM | Link to this
That’s true Lara. But I find it hard to believe that the past winners will want to come back either. Most are trying to separate from the show, not in a negative way, but so that they can move on career wise. Maybe the surprise will be that they are going to pair up the girls and guys and we still vote off one each week like they did with “Dancing”.