New Zealand Idol
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NZ Idol, more commonly known as New Zealand Idol, was the New Zealand version of the Idol series
Idol series
The British talent search television series Pop Idol has spawned spin-offs in 42 territories, in what is now referred to as the "Idols" format, as described by FremantleMedia...
originated as the hit British TV series Pop Idol
Pop Idol
Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...
. New Zealand first saw the Idol format when TV2 aired American Idol 2
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
, which garned impressive ratings. After Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
also received good ratings in New Zealand, TVNZ decided to order the first season of NZ Idol, which was broadcast on TV2. After the third season in 2006, TVNZ made a decision not to fund or broadcast a fourth season, thus placing New Zealand Idol on indefinite hiatus, with no plans to run a fourth season.
NZ Idol was produced by South Pacific Pictures
South Pacific Pictures
South Pacific Pictures is a television production company based in New Zealand. The company produces drama series, mini-series, telemovies and feature films for the domestic market and international market....
in association with Grundy
Grundy
Grundy may refer to:Places:*Grundy, Virginia, a town in Buchanan County, Virginia, USA*Grundy County, Missouri, a county in northern Missouri, USA*Grundy County, Illinois*Grundy County, Iowa*Grundy County, Tennessee...
& developed by Fremantle Media.
Season one
The show was hosted by TV presenter Dominic BowdenDominic Bowden
Dominic Joseph Bowden . is a New Zealand television personality, host, radio and voice actor. He is best known as the host of the reality series New Zealand Idol. Bowden was also the host of TVNZs game shows Are You Smarter than a Ten Year Old? and Dare to Win, which has a similar format to Minute...
and the panel of judges consisted of Frankie Stevens
Frankie Stevens
Frankie Stevens is a New Zealand entertainer and singer. He is best known as a judge for all three seasons on the reality series New Zealand Idol.-Early career:...
, Fiona McDonald
Fiona McDonald
-Singer:McDonald was the lead singer of the band Headless Chickens in the early 1990s. In addition she was a singer and one of the songwriters for Strawpeople...
and Paul Ellis
Paul Ellis
Paul B. Ellis MNZM is a New Zealand record producer, manager, and radio host. He is most known to audiences for being the former judge of New Zealand Idol and the current judge of the reality series New Zealand's Got Talent....
.
The competition was tough in the final few rounds of NZ Idol but it was finally whittled down to the top ten. Nine of these were voted in by the public through three heats (Camillia Temple, Ben Lummis
Ben Lummis
Ben Lummis is a New Zealand R&B/Pop recording artist who rose to musical fame as the winner of the First season of New Zealand Idol in 2004. He is of Māori and Pākehā and Tongan descent...
and Filipo Saipani; Michael Murphy
Michael Murphy (singer)
Michael Murphy is a singer and New Zealand Idol runner-up for 2004. Right from the start of the competition, Michael was a hot favourite with the majority of the voters being female and aged between 11-17...
, Luke Whaanga and 'Big' Dave Houma; Robin Johnson, Sela Mahe and Eddie Gaiger). Jessie Cassin was added by the judges as a wildcard. Ben Lummis eventually won the competition despite being in the bottom 3 in the first, third and fourth round of the competition, while Michael Murphy who eventually came second in the season had not been in the bottom 3 at all. Camillia Temple, the oldest contestant at 28, who had been a favourite to win, ended up in third place.
Ben Lummis released his idol-winning single "They Can't Take That Away" which spent 7 weeks at #1, selling over 40,000 units. His Album 'One Road' debuted at #1 on the album charts, selling over 30,000 copies. His second single, "I Love You Love Me" failed to make radio playlists and the single was shelved. His video for the single, however, did play on video music channels.
Semi Final Qualifyings
Top 24Format: 3 out of 8 making the final each week + one Wildcard
| Date | First | Second | Third |
| 22 February | Camillia Temple | Ben Lummis Ben Lummis Ben Lummis is a New Zealand R&B/Pop recording artist who rose to musical fame as the winner of the First season of New Zealand Idol in 2004. He is of Māori and Pākehā and Tongan descent... |
Filipo Saipani |
| 29 February | Michael Murphy Michael Murphy (singer) Michael Murphy is a singer and New Zealand Idol runner-up for 2004. Right from the start of the competition, Michael was a hot favourite with the majority of the voters being female and aged between 11-17... |
Luke Whaanga | Dave Houma |
| 7 March | Sela Mahe | Robin Johnson | Eddie Gaiger |
| 13 March (Wildcard) |
Jessie Cassin (Judges Choice) |
Amanda Boyce (missed out) |
Nigel Withington (missed out) |
Bottom three statistics
| Date | Theme | Bottom Three | ||
| 15 March | Contestant's Choice | Filipo Saipani | Eddie Gaiger | Ben Lummis |
| 22 March | Homegrown Hits | Sela Mahe | Robin Johnson | Jessie Cassin |
| 29 March | Disco Hits | Jessie Cassin (2) | Eddie Gaiger (2) | Ben Lummis (2) |
| 5 April | Ballads | Robin Johnson (2) | Eddie Gaiger (3) | Ben Lummis (3) |
| 12 April | British Invasion | Eddie Gaiger (4) | Luke Whaanga | Dave Houma |
| Bottom Two | ||||
| 19 April | Soul Hits | Dave Houma (2) | Camillia Temple | |
| 26 April | Rock Hits | Luke Whaanga (3) | Camillia Temple (2) | |
| Final Three | ||||
| 3 May | 80s Hits | Camillia Temple (3) | ||
| 10 May | Grand Finale | Michael Murphy | Ben Lummis (3) | |
Season two
Auditions for the second series of NZ Idol began in June 2005. The show was once again hosted by Dominic BowdenDominic Bowden
Dominic Joseph Bowden . is a New Zealand television personality, host, radio and voice actor. He is best known as the host of the reality series New Zealand Idol. Bowden was also the host of TVNZs game shows Are You Smarter than a Ten Year Old? and Dare to Win, which has a similar format to Minute...
, with Jackie Clarke
Jackie Clarke
Jackie Clarke is a well known New Zealand entertainer, singer and comedian. She is best known for her judging role on New Zealand Idol in 2005.-Television:* Judge for the second season of NZ Idol * Showcase - 1997...
replacing Fiona McDonald, who was pregnant with her first child, as one of the three judges. The nine that got in by public vote were: Nik Carlson, Frank Andrews, Jesse O'Brien, Rosita Vai
Rosita Vai
Rosita Vai is a New Zealand R&B singer who rose to musical fame as the winner of the Second season of New Zealand Idol in 2005.Prior to her win, Rosita managed to stay out of the 'bottom three' contestants for the entire competition...
, Rongo Brightwell, Keshia Paulse and Shelley Paikea. Teresa Bergman, failed to make the top nine, eventually being asked back by the judges in the wildcard, and winning the wildcard vote. Keshia Paulse, who was one of the favourites to win the competition, was voted out unexpectedly in the second round. Rosita Vai was the eventual winner of NZ Idol 2 and the first female contestant to win the competition. Rosita had not been in the bottom 3 in the whole season. Nik Carlson from Masterton
Masterton
Masterton is a large town and local government district in the Wellington Region of New Zealand. It is the largest town in the Wairarapa, a region separated from Wellington by the Rimutaka ranges...
came second, while Steven Broad finished in third place.
Rosita released her single "All I Ask" which spent two weeks at #1 and went platinum. However her debut album Golden only reached #15 without being certified and spent only three weeks in the top 40 album chart.
In 2006 Ashley Cooper
Ashley Cooper (singer)
Ashley Cooper is a New Zealand Country singer and former contestant on the second series of New Zealand Idol. After being the fourth person to be eliminated out of the top ten on idol, she released her first single "I Want You", which debuted at nineteen and eventually peaked at number nine...
has enjoyed success with her single "I Want You" debuting at #19, eventually peaking at #11 on physical sales and very little airplay
Airplay (song)
Airplay is a term used in the radio broadcasting industry to state how frequently a song is being played on over-the-air radio stations. For example, a song which is being played several times every day would be classed as receiving a large amount of airplay...
. Also in 2006, Robert Arnold
Robert Arnold
Robert Allan Arnold , commonly known as Rob Arnold, is a postie from Wellington, New Zealand, who achieved fame in a New Zealand boy band, Boyband, as the gay boy...
, who had auditioned unsuccessfully for all three seasons made it to #1 in the New Zealand charts as part of Boyband
Boyband (New Zealand band)
Boyband are a New Zealand pop group created in September 2006 from the winners of The Edge radio station's promotion to manufacture New Zealand's first boy band. The Edge Radio station hosted auditions across the New Zealand to find the best males for the band...
– a radio station stunt – three weeks before Matt Saunoa hit the top.
While these singers got to high places, there were many wannabe applicants that did poorly. One of note was a certain Liz Shaw, who came not just to audition but to also try to take over host Dominic Bowden's presenting job, only to spectacularly fail.
The series once again proved a ratings hit in New Zealand, but Sony BMG were reportedly unhappy with the format and reviewed their role in the program.
Semifinal qualifyings
Top 24Format: 3 out of 8 making the final each week and one wildcard
| Date | First | Second | Third |
| 25 July | Keshia Paulse | Steve Broad | Frank Andrews |
| 1 August | Rosita Vai Rosita Vai Rosita Vai is a New Zealand R&B singer who rose to musical fame as the winner of the Second season of New Zealand Idol in 2005.Prior to her win, Rosita managed to stay out of the 'bottom three' contestants for the entire competition... |
Shelley Paikea | Ashley Cooper Ashley Cooper (singer) Ashley Cooper is a New Zealand Country singer and former contestant on the second series of New Zealand Idol. After being the fourth person to be eliminated out of the top ten on idol, she released her first single "I Want You", which debuted at nineteen and eventually peaked at number nine... |
| 8 August | Nik Carlson | Jesse O'Brien | Rongo Brightwell |
| 15 August (Wildcard) |
Teresa Bergman (Viewers Choice) |
Lissel Stewart (missed out) |
Kevin Malagamaali'i (missed out) |
Bottom three statistics
| Date | Bottom Three | ||
| 22 August | Shelley Paikea | Ashley Cooper | Nik Carlson |
| 29 August | Keshia Paulse | Nik Carlson (2) | Teresa Bergman |
| 5 September | Ashley Cooper (2) | Frank Andrews | Steven Broad |
| 12 September | Frank Andrews (2) | Rongo Brightwell | Steven Broad (2) |
| 19 September | Rongo Brightwell (2) | Jesse O'Brien | Steven Broad (3) |
| Bottom Two | |||
| 26 September | Teresa Bergman (2) | Jesse O'Brien (2) | |
| 3 October | Jesse O'Brien (3) | Nik Carlson (3) | |
| Final Three | |||
| 10 October | Steven Broad (4) | ||
| 17 October | Nik Carlson (4) | Rosita Vai | |
Season three
The third season of NZ Idol began screening in July 2006. Dominic Bowden returned as host, and judges Paul Ellis and Jackie Clarke were replaced by Iain StablesIain Stables
Iain Philip Stables is a New Zealand radio disc jockey. In the past Stables worked on various radio stations across New Zealand beginning his radio career on Radio Windy in Wellington at the age of 14...
, a popular radio DJ from the ZM
ZM (New Zealand)
ZM is a New Zealand contemporary hit radio network owned by The Radio Network. It broadcasts 19 markets throughout mainland New Zealand via terrestrial FM, and worldwide via the Internet. The network targets the 15–39 demographic specialises in a chart-music playlist of pop, rock, hip hop and dance...
radio station, and Megan Alatini
Megan Alatini
Megan Bronwinne Alatini is a South African born New Zealand pop singer, actress and television personality. She rose to fame in New Zealand on the reality television series Popstars. She went on to become a member in the girl group TrueBliss. She is also known for portraying the part of Java in...
, a former member of girlgroup TrueBliss
TrueBliss
TrueBliss were a New Zealand pop girl group formed in April 1999. The band were formed on the popular television show Popstars, which aired on TV2 for nine weeks in the search for a new girl group...
, the first band created from the popular TV show Popstars
Popstars
Popstars is an international reality television franchise and a precursor to the Idol series. The series first began in New Zealand in 1999 when producer Jonathan Dowling formed the five member all-girl group TrueBliss...
. This left Frankie Stevens as the only original judge. In addition to a recording contract, in series 3 contestestants are also in the running for a cash prize of $50,000 and a Daihatsu SUV. The maximum age limit to enter was increased from 28 to 30. Another key difference in the third season is the inclusion of a live band in the top ten shows. On 31 May 2006, South Pacific Pictures announced that SonyBMG was to discontinue its association with NZ Idol.
On 21 August the top 9 was officially announced. Aroha Robinson, Ashlee Fisher, Clinton Randell, Indira Moala, Kali Kopae, Matthew Saunoa
Matthew Saunoa
Matthew Saunoa is a New Zealand pop singer who rose to musical fame as the winner of the Third season of New Zealand Idol in 2006....
, Rebecca Wright, Victor Sulfa and Toni Baird. On the same night the 3 wildcards were announced. The host, Dominic Bowden stated that the viewers had 12 hours to choice their 10th person to make up the final 10. The 3 wildcards were: Ben Hazlewood, Lenken Isaac and Wiremu Hohaia. On 22 August Ben Hazlewood won the wildcard vote. It had been announced that the top 10 was not going to release a single, like previous seasons.
On 29 October Matt Saunoa won the competition without falling into the bottom 2/ 3 throughout the whole season. Although betting agency Centrebet
Centrebet
Centrebet is an Australian bookmaker licensed in the Northern Territory.Centrebet originated from Alice Springs, Northern Territory and was the first bookmaker to be licensed in Australia in 1993 and the first bookmaker to go online in the Southern Hemisphere. Centrebet was acquired by its biggest...
had Indira Moala favourite to win http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3843911a15815,00.html. His debut single "Hold Out" was written by James Reid from The Feelers
The Feelers
The Feelers are a New Zealand rock band formed in the early 1990s in Christchurch by James Reid , Matthew Thomas and Hamish Gee .-History:...
. The single charted at #1 in the first week, but failed to reach gold status (at least 5,000 copies sold), and dropped the following week to #3.
Semi Final Qualifyings
Top 18Format: 3 out of 6 making the final each week in another city + one Wildcard
| Date | Location | First | Second | Third |
| 7 August | Christchurch | Clinton Randell | Kali Kopae | Ashlee Fisher |
| 14 August | Auckland | Indira Moala | Toni Baird | Victor Sulfa |
| 21 August | Wellington | Rebecca Wright | Matthew Saunoa Matthew Saunoa Matthew Saunoa is a New Zealand pop singer who rose to musical fame as the winner of the Third season of New Zealand Idol in 2006.... |
Aroha Robinson |
| 22 August | Wildcard | Ben Hazlewood | Lenken Isaac | Wiremu Hohaia |
Bottom three statistics
| Date | Bottom Three | ||
| 28 August | Victor Sulfa | Ashlee Fisher | Toni Baird |
| Bottom Two | |||
| 4 September | Ashlee Fisher (2) | Kali Kopae | |
| 11 September | Clinton Randell | Kali Kopae (2) | |
| 18 September | Rebecca Wright | Indira Moala | |
| 25 September | Toni Baird (2) | Ben Hazlewood | |
| 2 October | Kali Kopae (3) | Aroha Robinson | |
| 9 October | Ben Hazlewood (2) | Aroha Robinson (2) | |
| Final Three | |||
| 16 October | Aroha Robinson (3) | ||
| 29 October | Indira Moala (2) | Matthew Saunoa | |
Pop's Ultimate Star
Many previous contestants later appeared on Pop's Ultimate Star, along with other New Zealand celebrities.Criticism
Critics have suggested that contestants in all seasons have not been as musically strong as Idol performers from American IdolAmerican Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
or Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
, and have referred to the performances as 'karaoke
Karaoke
is a form of interactive entertainment or video game in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music using a microphone and public address system. The music is typically a well-known pop song minus the lead vocal. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol,...
'.
Complaints have been made in regards to a variety of production issues including the lack of a live band in seasons one and two, the lighting and the sound quality.
Concerns have also been expressed about the apparent lack of ongoing opportunities for Idols after the show. Most notably, three months after winning New Zealand Idol, Lummis' music label, Sony BMG dropped him, due to poor sales.
Various New Zealand musicians have openly criticised the show, and refused invitations to appear on it. Boh Runga
Boh Runga
Boh Runga is a New Zealand recording artist and was the lead singer and guitarist in New Zealand rock band Stellar*. She comes from a musical family - both her sisters have been in bands...
stated that she "would rather lick the inside of a toilet bowl than appear on Idol." TV Guide stated that the show had lost around 100,000 viewers since the first series, and that "if NZ Idol was a horse, you would have to shoot it. It really is that lame."
Albums
- (2004) NZ Idol: The Final 10 – HomegrownHomegrown (New Zealand Idol album)Homegrown is the New Zealand compilation album released in 2004 by the NZ Idol The Final 10.-Track listing:#Yesterday Was Just the Beginning of My Life - The Final 10#Sitting Inside My Head - Luke Whaanga#Better - Dave Houma...
– #3 NZ (Gold) - (2004) Ben LummisBen LummisBen Lummis is a New Zealand R&B/Pop recording artist who rose to musical fame as the winner of the First season of New Zealand Idol in 2004. He is of Māori and Pākehā and Tongan descent...
– One Road – #1 NZ (2 weeks) (4x Platinum) - (2004) Michael MurphyMichael Murphy (singer)Michael Murphy is a singer and New Zealand Idol runner-up for 2004. Right from the start of the competition, Michael was a hot favourite with the majority of the voters being female and aged between 11-17...
– No Place to LandNo Place To LandNo Place to Land is an album by New Zealand singer, Michael Murphy, and was released in 2004.-Track listing:#"Music Without a Song"#"Coming Down"#"How Good Does It Feel"#"A Step From The Edge"#"Stop Asking Me"#"Fallen Angel"#"Forever"...
– #22 NZ (Gold) - (2005) Rosita VaiRosita VaiRosita Vai is a New Zealand R&B singer who rose to musical fame as the winner of the Second season of New Zealand Idol in 2005.Prior to her win, Rosita managed to stay out of the 'bottom three' contestants for the entire competition...
– GoldenGolden (Rosita Vai album)Golden is the debut album from second-season NZ Idol winner Rosita Vai, released in New Zealand on November 1, 2005.-Chart:Golden debuted on the official New Zealand albums chart at number 15, but fell to number 25 its second week. In its third week, the album fell to number 33, and then it dropped...
– #15 NZ
Singles
| Date | Artist | Title | NZ Chart | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Season one: | ||||
| 2004 | NZ Idol: Final 10 | "Yesterday Was Just The Beginning Of My Life" | #4 | Gold |
| 2004 | Ben Lummis | "They Can't Take That Away They Can't Take That Away "They Can’t Take That Away" is a single by New Zealand Idol season one winner, Benjamin Lummis, released in 2004. It went to number one in its first week, where it remained for seven weeks.... " |
#1 (7 weeks) | 4x Platinum |
| 2004 | Ben Lummis | "I Love You Love Me" | - | - |
| 2004 | Jessie Cassin | "Another Suitcase In Another Hall" | - | - |
| 2004 | Michael Murphy | "So Damn Beautiful So Damn Beautiful "So Damn Beautiful" is a single by New Zealand Idol season one runner-up, Michael Murphy, released in 2004. It was a #1 hit on the RIANZ charts.-Track Listings:#So Damn Beautiful#All We Are... " |
#1 (1 week) | Gold |
| 2005 | Michael Murphy | "Music Without A Song" | - | - |
| 2005 | Michael Murphy | "How Good Does It Feel?" | - | - |
| 2006 | Ben Lummis | "Gotta Move" | - | - |
| From Season two: | ||||
| 2005 | NZ Idol 2: Final 10 | "Dedicated To The One I Love" | #5 | - |
| 2005 | Rosita Vai | "All I Ask All I Ask "All I Ask" is a single by Rosita Vai released in 2005 after she became the winner of the second season of New Zealand Idol.-See also:*Ben Lummis*Michael Murphy*New Zealand Idol... " |
#1 (2 weeks) | 2x Platinum |
| 2005 | Rosita Vai | "Golden" | - | - |
| 2005 | Nik Carlson | "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" | - | - |
| 2006 | Ashley Cooper | "I Want You" | #11 | - |
| From Season three: | ||||
| 2006 | Matthew Saunoa | "Hold Out" | #1 (1 week) | |
External links
- NZ Idol – Official Site
- NZ Idol – at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
- Pop's Ultimate Star – Official Site
- Idolblog