American Idol : season 4

Many television industry insiders - including Fox's own network president Gail Berman -- had doubted whether American Idol could continue its monster ratings numbers as the now maturing show entered its fourth season. Well, if the preliminary ratings numbers for last night's special two-hour Idol debut are any indication, the fourth season will not only match the ratings highs of last year's American Idol 3 , but may very well even exceed them.

According to Nielsen Media Research preliminary fast national ratings, yesterday's American Idol 4 premiere was the most-watched television program -- including all sports broadcasts -- of the 2004-2005 television season among both total viewers and the all-important Adults 18-49 demographic.

American Idol 4 premiered to a phenomenal 33.5 million viewers and a 14.0/33 rating/share among Adults 18-49 -- the second highest numbers that the program has ever drawn in these measures, trailing only American Idol 2's Ruben Studdard versus Clay Aiken season finale .

We can expect to see some [ratings] declines, Berman had told reporters gathered at the Television Critics Association winter press tour on Monday. I think that's only natural for a fourth-year show.

What surprised me last year, its third year, was that its audience grew. We certainly don't expect to see that this year, she added.

Defying Fox's expectations, compared to last year's then-record setting premiere , American Idol 4 opened up another 9% in Adults 18-49 (14.0/33 vs. 12.9/30 on Monday, January 19, 2004), 16% in total viewers (33.5 million vs. 29.0 million), 4% in Adults 18-34 (14.3/37 vs. 13.7/36), and 7% in Teens (14.6/39 vs. 13.6/36)..

The broadcast ranks as FOX's third most watched night of entertainment programming EVER (behind its Joe Millionaire finale on February 17, 2003 and the second season finale of Idol on May 21, 2003.) It also allowed Fox to swamp the five other broadcast networks, outperforming the combined total primetime performance of the five other networks in both viewers (33.5 million vs. 30.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (14.0 vs. 11.8)

Beginning as the television phenomenon Pop Idol over in the UK, American Idol came to these shores last summer and became an overnight success, much like the eventual winner, Kelly Clarkson. With two shows each week, American Idol's audience grew every time out, culminating when over 30 million viewers tuned in for the finale.

The second season of American Idol was even more successful! After 50,000 auditioners and months of singing, Ruben Studdard was crowned the next American Idol!

Ryan Seacrest-
With his successful broadcasting career, it's no wonder why E! Online recently
named 26-year-old Ryan Seacrest as one of the 20 Young Guns Under 30 Who Hold Hollywood's Future in Their Hands.

Originally from Atlanta, GA, Ryan's professional career in broadcasting began at the age of 16 when he applied for an internship at one of Atlanta's top radio stations, WSTR/Star 94. In 1995, Seacrest relocated to Los Angeles to further his radio career where he is currently the host of the #1-rated weekday afternoon talk show, Ryan Seacrest For the Ride Home on Los Angeles radio station, Star 98.7 FM.

Simon Cowell-
Simon Cowell's music career is now infamous having, over the past 20 years, shaped what we consider to be modern pop music today. In the last 10 years, Simon, a BMG Record Executive, has been making and breaking records. Cowell has achieved sales of over 25 million albums, over 70 top 30 records and 17 number 1 singles.

Simon became a celebrity in his own right for reducing a string of teenage wannabes to tears while serving as a judge on the UK version of the show, Pop Idol.

Randy Jackson-
Randy Jackson, a Grammy Award winning producer, is a twenty-year music industry veteran. For eight years, he was the V.P. of A&R at Columbia Records followed by four years as Senior V.P. of A&R at MCA Records.

Randy has recorded, toured and performed with the likes of Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, *NSYNC, Madonna, Elton John, Destiny's Child and many more. Randy has worked on over one thousand gold and multi-platinum albums. His contributions have helped to sell over 200 million albums worldwide

Paula Abdul-
Equally recognized, awarded and celebrated in front of the camera as well as behind the camera, Paula Abdul's extraordinary music career is exemplified by worldwide album sales exceeding 30 million records and numerous awards including The Grammy, Emmy, fox Awards and others.

Paula has also been honored with her very own Star on Hollywood Boulevard, and was inducted into Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Hall of Fame.

Christmas Special
In this episode of the hit reality series, American Idols Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, and Fantasia Barrino decided to get into the holiday spirit. Being an aspiring vocalist myself, I know when a singer is fantastic, more of a studio singer than a real vocalist, or just when someone is a downright, God-awful disgrace to the greats that walked the earth before us. In my opinion, all three of these singers are fantastic, and I definitely see a future for them in the music industry. Below are the performance reviews. Please forgive me; for some of the performances, I didn't hear a song title. Therefore, some are from what I perceived the song title to be, and some I just didn't get at all:

Opening Performance - Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, & Ruben Studdard: This was an overall good collaboration by the 3 American Idols. The vocals were somewhat on point, and they managed to get the crowd into the performance. I was a bit disappointed with Clarkson's performance in the song, as she didn't quite live up to the vocal potential that fans and critics alike know she possesses. Studdard just seemed to be there. His vocals were terrific, but it wasn't at his best. All of that was said to say this: Fantasia generally carried this number.
Grade: 5 stars

Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson: When I heard and saw this performance, at first, I didn't really know what to say of it. I then realized that Kelly Clarkson has no business singing pure, raw, heavy rock music like I saw here. Kelly's voice is beautiful, but it just wasn't working here. At some points in the song, she seemed to be forcing the notes, instead of just singing them. Then there were some moments in the song where her voice just slowly depreciated into a careless whisper, that she apparently thought sounded good. This performance shows that Clarkson can sing virtually any pop or rock song with unadulterated grace, but hard rock isn't her strong point. I think that she should just stick to the more Celine Dion type material, where it's more pop and adult contemporary. There's nothing wrong with her wanting to rock hard with the guitars every once in awhile, but to do it often wouldn't suit her well. She should just leave the rockin' to Avril and Pinkat least for now.
Grade: 3 stars

I Need An Angel Ruben Studdard: Ruben, as expected, delivered a stellar performance with his latest single, I Need An Angel. It began kind of weak; as if his voice just wouldn't allow him to give it has all. Studdard's vocals continued to soar throughout the entire performance, leaving nothing more to the imagination that we'll see a lot more of Ruben Studdard for years to come.
Grade: 4.7 stars

You Were Always On My Mind Fantasia Barrino: As if we wouldn't have predicted it, Fantasia scored once again with this mind-blowing performance of You Were Always On My Mind, which can be heard on her debut album, Free Yourself', in stores now. Barrino's voice and style graced the stage with such elegance and class. She hit every note just right, and she didn't miss a beat.
Grade: 5 stars

Ruben Studdard & Fantasia Barrino duet: I am a HUGE fan of R&B, so I was very excited to hear this. While the night was already flowing smoothly with music from America's 3 idols, Fantasia & Ruben glowed with this spectacular duet. What I admired most about this performance was that neither of them tried to outshine the other, as many popular R&B artists try to do now-a-days when they collaborate (take a listen to the current #1 song in America, My Boo by Usher & Alicia Keys). Studdard and Barrino both shared the stage with each other, not trying to compete or challenge the other, to see who'll get the most applause. I applaud them both on a such wonderful performance.
Grade: 5 stars

Breakaway Kelly Clarkson: This song is currently my favorite in the pop/rock genre, so I got very excited when I heard the beginning of the song. I knew that I was in for something great, and I wasn't at all dissatisfied, to say the least. Clarkson started the first verse at a very low key. Like any true vocalist, such as Kelly, a beginning like this only prepares you for the moments of joy ahead in the performance. At the end of the first verse, Kelly soared straight into the chorus, just as I had expected. As for the middle portion of the performance, she struggled to keep her voice balanced and even with the music. But, by the final bridge right before the last time the chorus was sung, Clarkson had bounced back on track, ending the performance on a high note. This is the type of singing that I love to see Kelly Clarkson doing. There's no need for her to try to be as rock as Ashlee Simpson, seeing that she [Clarkson] clearly has the better voice of the two.
Grade: 5 stars

Jesus, O What A Wonderful Child Kelly Clarkson & Fantasia Barrino: I'm a Christian myself, and the last thing that I'd expect to hear here was a song about Jesus. Kelly & Fantasia had me shoutin' in my living room. This rendition of the Christmas classic really got me into the holiday spirit. It also revealed that Barrino and Clarkson have the God-given talent and ability to harmonize and vocalize terrifically, whether it is with a ballad or a more upbeat song. There's no doubt about it: these ladies have class, soul, and pure talent.
Grade: 5 stars

Amazing Grace Ruben Studdard: Studdard's rendition of the Gospel classic Amazing Grace presented the birth of an up-and-coming soul music legend. Unlike his earlier performance of I Need An Angel, Ruben sang this song with ease, and without a single flaw. If you want a more relaxed sound from the more upbeat urban/pop sounds of Justin Timberlake and Usher (although, they are two of my top favorites), Ruben's your guy.
Grade: 5 stars

Truth Is Fantasia Barrino: Although this number came off to a rough start, Ms. Ashanti better try and hold on to her so-called title as the Princess of Hip-Hop Soul, that is if the fans really gave her that title to begin with. This performance definitely cemented Barrino as the next Mary J. Blige. Fantasia's style, particularly with this song, showed a very hip, yet mature and classy sound, much like Blige's work. If you asked me, which I couldn't care less if you did or not because I'm gonna give my opinion, Fantasia Barrino is the Princess of Hip-Hop Soul, rather than Ashanti (although another favorite of mine). That's what the truth is!
Grade: 4 stars

You'll Never Walk Alone Fantasia Barrino, Kelly Clarkson, & Ruben Studdard: This was by far the most inspirational performance of the 1-hour special. The idols, using their powerhouse pipes, let us know that we'd never have to walk alone because there'd always be an angel by our side. I don't know if anyone else besides me thought that deeply about it but it really inspired me. Their voices, once again, sounded marvelous, and they apparently thrilled the audience. All 3 of the idols stayed very contained with this performance, not letting loose and taking over as if it were his or her own solo performance.
Grade: 4 stars

Joy To The World (closing performance) Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, & Fantasia Barrino: America's idols ended their Christmas special on a high with their rendition of Joy To The World. Most notably, Whitney Houston performed the song's most popular rendition. The idol version was just as thrilling, giving American Idol fans, as well as the idols themselves, a wonderful night of solos and harmonizing that many will never forget.
Grade: 5 stars

The Idol holiday special was nothing less than a spectacular night of vocal essence. This special proves many fans and critics wrong for saying that the idols won't last. The only thing about the performances that puzzled me was that they sang more of their own original material, than holiday classics. Other than that, tonight's performances showed me 3 of today's hottest and most talented young singers. They deserve just as much respect as any other young pop star of today. Let's face it: if a terrible so-called true artist like Britney Spears can survive in the world of music, three truly terrific singers certainly can.

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