New Zealand Idol
New Zealand's adaptation of the global Idol franchise.
New Zealand Idol, or NZ Idol, was the local version of the Idol franchise that began in the UK. TV2 first introduced the format to New Zealand by airing American Idol 2, which drew strong ratings. Following the success of Australian Idol in the country, TVNZ commissioned a first season for TV2. After three seasons, the final one in 2006, TVNZ chose not to fund or broadcast a fourth. The show was produced by South Pacific Pictures with Grundy Television and developed by Fremantle Media.
Quick Facts
- Runtime
- Auditions/Performance show
- 60–90 minutes
- Elimination show
- 60 minutes (Both shows include commercials)
- Creator
- Simon Fuller
- Presenter
- Dominic Bowden
- Country
- New Zealand
- Executive producers
- Andrew Shaw (2004)
- Adrian Brant (2005)
- Gavin Wood (2006)
- Jane Millichip (2006)
- Location
- South Pacific Pictures, Auckland (2004–2006)
- Network
- TV2
- Seasons
- 3
Facts from the source article.
Season one
Dominic Bowden hosted the first season of New Zealand Idol, with Frankie Stevens, Fiona McDonald, and Paul Ellis serving as judges. The premiere drew more than 1.15 million viewers. After a competitive final stretch, the field was reduced to ten contestants. Nine of them—Camillia Temple, Ben Lummis, Filipo Saipani, Michael Murphy, Luke Whaanga, 'Big' Dave Houma, Robin Johnson, Sela Mahe, and Eddie Gaiger—were chosen by the public across three heats. The judges added Jessie Cassin as a wildcard. Despite landing in the bottom three during the first, third, and fourth rounds, Ben Lummis won the competition. Michael Murphy, who never faced elimination, finished second. Camillia Temple, at 28 the oldest contestant and a favorite, placed third. Lummis’s winner’s single, “They Can’t Take That Away,” spent seven weeks at number one and sold over 40,000 copies. His album “One Road” debuted at number one and sold more than 30,000 copies. His follow-up single, “I Love You Love Me,” did not get radio airplay and was shelved, though its music video aired on music channels.
Season two
Auditions for the second series of NZ Idol began in June 2005. The show was once again hosted by Dominic Bowden, with Jackie Clarke 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, 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 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 has enjoyed success with her single "I Want You" debuting at #19, eventually peaking at #11 on physical sales and very little airplay. Also in 2006, Robert Arnold, who had auditioned unsuccessfully for all three seasons made it to #1 in the New Zealand charts as part of Boyband – 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.
Season three
The third (and to date, last) 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 Stables, a popular radio DJ from the ZM radio station, and Megan Alatini, a former member of girlgroup TrueBliss, the first band created from the popular TV show Popstars. 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, 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 had Indira Moala favourite to win. His debut single "Hold Out" was written by James Reid from The Feelers. 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.
Criticism
Critics have suggested that contestants in all seasons have not been as musically strong as Idol performers from American Idol or Australian Idol, and have referred to the performances as 'karaoke'. 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. Three months after winning New Zealand Idol, Lummis' music label, Sony BMG dropped him. Various New Zealand musicians have openly criticised the show, and refused invitations to appear on it. Boh Runga stated that she "would rather lick the inside of a toilet bowl than appear on Idol." TV Guide stated after the third series aired 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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created New Zealand Idol?
New Zealand Idol was created by Simon Fuller.
When did New Zealand Idol first air?
New Zealand Idol first aired on 1 February 2004.
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