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Recaps by Jon Dos
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Here's What CTV Is Saying:
Thirty-three CDs. Seven No. 1 singles. Almost one million units sold. Sixteen JUNO nominations. Over the past four years, Canadian Idol has not only changed the lives of hundreds of singers across the country, but the Canadian music industry as well. Now, the dream-making series returns for a fifth blockbuster season next Tuesday, June 5 at 8:30 p.m. ET (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times) with a 90-minute audition episode featuring the best and worst of this year’s cross-Canada audition tour. Thirty-one episodes later, another life will be changed when the next Canadian Idol is crowned.
In 2003, Canadian Idol made Canadian television history by becoming the most-watched, home-grown (English language) series of all time. Four seasons later, Canadian Idol continues to hold that title as well as Summer’s No. 1 show overall. Last September’s finale peaked at 3.4 million viewers when Eva Avila was crowned the 2006 Canadian Idol champion.
Now, Canadian Idol returns with a format change that has dramatically changed the game: instruments. The North American-first resulted in a whole new crop of talent which, for the first time, saw more guys than girls land the coveted “Gold Ticket” to the Top 200 round.
“Canadian Idol is one of those rare shows that actually makes a difference,” said Susanne Boyce, CTV President of Programming and Chair of the Media Group. “Not only to the competitors whose lives are changed by the experience, but to viewers at home as well.”
“This is one of the best cross-country auditions we’ve ever had,” said Executive Producer John Brunton. “Allowing competitors to audition with instruments has attracted a level of talent that we haven’t seen before. Get ready for one of the best seasons ever.”
The season begins with a 90-minute episode on June 5 (8:30 – 10 p.m. ET) with highlights from auditions in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Winnipeg, St. John’s and Halifax. The broadcast schedule then unfolds as follows (all times ET; times and dates subject to change; go to idol.ctv.ca to confirm local broadcast times):
Continuing Tuesday, June 12 with a 90-minute episode from 8:30 - 10 p.m. featuring auditions from Saskatoon, Montreal, Vancouver and London.
Top 200 episodes air Monday, June 18 from 9-10 p.m. and Tuesday, June 19 from 8:30 - 10 p.m.
Top 22 performance episodes air Mondays/Tuesdays from 9 - 10 p.m. beginning June 25
Top 22 results episodes air Wednesdays from 7:30 - 8 p.m. beginning June 27
First Top 10 shows airs Tuesday, July 17 and Wednesday, July 18
Top 10 shows move to their regular timeslot on Mondays/Tuesdays beginning July 23
Last season’s success will be hard to beat: more than 36 million votes were cast over the course of the season – more than one vote for each man, woman and child in the country, adding to an overall total over four seasons of more than 200 million votes. Additionally, Canadian Idol was viewed in some part by over 14 million Canadians - more than half of Canada’s English-language population.
The series also continues to be a major career opportunity for undiscovered singers looking to get a break in a challenging industry. More than 30 former Canadian Idol Top 10 finalists have recorded and released albums, resulting in sales of nearly 1 million units.
Last year’s champion, Eva Avila, followed up her Platinum-selling first single with a well-received CD that went Gold in Canada. In the midst of a cross-country tour in support of the CD, Avila signed with Ford Models and became the first ever Canadian face for Maybelline New York. Next up for Avila is the creation of a new album that will feature material in English and French.
Meanwhile, other former Idols continue to keep busy. Largely responsible for the writing and music, Season 2 winner Kalan Porter has been hard at work on his sophomore CD expected to be released August 23. Fellow Season 2 competitor Jacob Hoggard and his band Hedley were nominated for three MMVAs last week, following two MMVA nominations last year (and three 2007 JUNO Award nominations). Earlier this year, the first Canadian Idol Ryan Malcolm released his second CD “Urgency” along with his new band, Low Level Flight, which is continually being added to playlists at radio stations across the country. More updates on past competitors are available on the “Where Are They Now” section at idol.ctv.ca.
Music industry experts Farley Flex, Jake Gold, Sass Jordan and Zack Werner are back with as many opinions as ever, to offer criticism, compliments and most of all, guidance as Canadian Idol’s four-member judging panel. Host Ben Mulroney also returns, offering a healthy dose of charm and light-heartedness to the show. New to the cast for 2007 is roving reporter Dave Kerr.
Canadian Idol was created by Simon Fuller and is produced in association with CTV by Insight Productions. John Brunton and Barbara Bowlby are Executive Producers. Mark Lysakowski is Supervising Producer. Senior Producer is Sue Brophey. Mary Sexton is Regional Producer. Jane Rimer is Executive Consultant for FremantleMedia. Rick Lewchuk is CTV’s Senior Vice-President, Program Planning and Promotion. Ed Robinson is CTV’s Senior Vice-President, Comedy and Variety. Susanne Boyce is CTV President of Programming and Chair of the CTV Media Group.
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