Ready or not, here Idol comes_英文原版
los angeles- american idol is back and aiming to be even bigger than before.
season one winner kelly clarkson
with the sixth installment of the talent contest kicking off on fox tuesday, producers have promised that there's plenty in store for idol viewers this season, with more episodes, more special guest appearances and more product placement in the cards.
consistently the number one show on television, idol seems to be growing only more popular with age.
last season, the show averaged 30.6 million viewers per episode, with 36 million tuning in to watch taylor hicks emerge triumphant over katharine mcphee.
that was a 14 percent ratings jump over the fourth season, which averaged a more than respectable audience of 26.8 million per episode.
in an effort to keep things interesting this time around, producers have hinted that the show will shake things up with a major midseason twist,
"something we're working on is a big-event show, sometime in the middle of the season, something that will blow america away," executive producer cecile frot-coutaz told the new york daily news.
also in the works: a guest star roster rumored to include the likes of paul mccartney and mariah carey, though nothing has been confirmed. but after prince's surprise appearance last season, nothing seems too far-fetched for idol.
the franchise's value was recently estimated at a staggering $2.5 billion by advertising age magazine, with $500 million brought in from tv commercials alone.
in addition to returning idol sponsors cingular, ford and coca-cola, nestle has been named the show's official candy and dreyer's the official ice cream. several other companies are expected to announce idol-branding deals in the coming months and fremantle is even in talks about creating a theme park based on the hit reality series.
as for this season's idol-wannabes, they need only look to the success stories of past contestants to understand just what the show could mean for their futures.
from season one winner kelly clarkson, who has gone on to become a grammy-winning artist in her own right, to season three reject jennifer hudson, now receiving oscar buzz for her dreamgirls turn, idol has a proven track record or turning nobodies into stars.
unlike the first season, where runner-up justin guarini was never heard from again, top idol finalists are now virtually guaranteed a recording contract these days. to date, eight contestants from season five have signed with labels.
of course, when all is said and done, only one contestant can lay claim to the coveted idol title. on tuesday, america will get its first glimpse of the next crop of hopefuls sparring for the crown.