Music News
Cowell: 'New American Idol is best yet'
Friday 11 January 2008
The singing contest, which airs next Thursday, showcases the best and worst of auditions from across the US in a bid to find just one "Idol".
Cowell dismissed speculation that the show will have less competition in the ratings this year due to the ongoing writers' strike in the US, saying they had discovered "three or four" stars.
He said: "I think three or four of the contestants we've got this year would have gotten recording contracts even without 'Idol'. I think they're that good."
He went on: "We heard a year or so ago that 'Dancing With the Stars' was thinking about going up against us, which I think would be a mistake... So I think we're in the same position as we were last year and the year before.
"The most important thing is that our show has got to look better, it's got to be more fun as a show. And if it is, I think more people will watch."
Cowell also dismissed criticism that American Idol was not as good as it used to be.
"It's an incredible vehicle for people who want to be successful and under normal circumstances can't get a record deal for some reason," he said.
"The idea of Carrie Underwood wandering around without a record deal is staggering.
"You look at shows like 'American Idol' and 'Dancing With the Stars', which I consider to be two of the superbrands, these two shows, in my mind, seem to be getting better over the years."
He went on: "The good news is that this is a much better season than last year ... [it's] one of the strongest years that we've had in a long, long time.
"It's younger, I think the talent is more current, they're more interesting people. So I go into this season a lot more optimistic than I went in last year."
Click here for Terms of use
|
Top 10 Most Read
Must Watch TV
-
- The Late Late Show
You can be guaranteed that Ryan Tubridy will host a stellar line-up of high-profile guests, current social issues will get an airing and he'll introduce the very best in all-round entertainment, plus a fabulous prize for someone at home! What more could you ask for from your Friday night viewing?
-
- Who Knows Ireland Best?
Derek Mooney hosts as two teams compete to see who is most in touch and who has their finger on the pulse. Points are awarded for being in agreement with the majority of a survey of 1,000 people across the country. This week, three agricultural consultants (Tom Dawson, Tipperary; Julie Roche, Cork; and Mike Brady, Cork) go head-to-head with three auctioneers (Nora Meaney, Sharon O'Leary and Maura Fenlon, all from Carlow) to see who is more in tune with the nation.
-
- The Big C
As the rest of the neighbourhood gets ready for Hallowe'en, Cathy prepares to start a clinical trial she hopes will cure her cancer. Yet just when Cathy needs him, Paul has to deal with a series of problems at work. And as they are arriving at the hospital, Cathy's search for a parking spot ends with her harmlessly hitting another patient with her car. Meanwhile, as Adam grows increasingly agitated by his mom's illness, Sean's Hallowe'en plans lead him to suspect that Marlene's ghost is haunting his house.
-
- Hustle
Albert decides to pay a nostalgic visit to an old haunt, only to find it's been pulled down by ruthless property tycoon and former '80s game show host, Dale Ridley (played by Mark Williams) in this week's episode. Posing as international businessmen, the team lure Dale into a scam, convincing him to purchase the television studios that fired him in his showbiz heyday on their behalf. Will the temptation to get revenge on his old employers be enough to trick the greedy entrepreneur?
-
- Safari Vet School
Thirty-two vet students are at one of the toughest vet schools in the world in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Under the guiding hand of Chief Vet, Dr Will Fowlds, the students tackle everything from lions to rhinos to giraffes and elephants. In tonight's episode, TV vet Steve Leonard who presents the show is pushed to his limits when he's left in charge of 16 vet students and a hall of 100 barking dogs while Cambridge student Nadia gets a second chance at being a team leader.