Last year Australian Idol was nearly blown away when rain and winds bore down on its outdoor finale on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
This year it is melting in searing temperatures of up to 42 degrees today in Sydney. A cool change isn’t expected until 10pm, after the finale ends. Next year producers may be wiser to settle for the indoor, air conditioned comfort of the Concert Hall. But the weather hasn’t undermined the enthusiasm of a raucous crowd.
But the heat is on Stan Walker and Hayley Warner, both competing for the 2009 title.
Michael Buble sang two songs, including a big band version of Cry Me a River under a sky of fireworks -and still the fans screamed to a jazz standard.
Mika also sang two numbers, before his own posse of dancers amongst the audience. Guy Sebastian sang his duet to a Jordin Sparks video after the singer was unable to attend due to medical illness. Wes Carr and Ian Moss sang a rock version of Beat It and Rici Lee Coulter performed with her dancers.
The finale brought back all the Top 12, its traditional fireworks, and even sponsor statements for anti-drink driving campaigns (three times) from host Andrew Gunsberg.
19yo Stan Walker was announced as winner, defeating 17yo Hayley Warner, winning a recording contract, $200,000 development deal and a new car.
This story updates.
Does anyone stop to think about the pollution caused by the fireworks that the cameras spent so much time filming.
Michael Buble singing a cover of Nina Simone’s “feeling good” to a group of screaming (mainly) young girls who probably had no idea what the song was about and as for “cry me a river” we hardly saw michael as the cameras were more focussed on the fireworks instead. Mika was alright although those paid dancers (supporters?) were cringeworhty albeit in an entertaining way !!
That part with Mika is easily one of the most cringe worthy things I’ve ever seen. Dear god! It was almost physically painful!
sameer, i doubt the type of contestants they get for Australian Idol would cope with choreography each week – I have a friend who was working at the Opera House and he said they were constantly rehearsing the girl’s number because most of them found the (almost non-existant) choreography difficult.
So glad that Stan won! Awesome voice!
Jessica Mauboy wasn’t able to perform on Idol tonight because she’s contracted by Channel 9 this week for the ARIA Awards.
I agree with Sameer. Copy xfactor/uk or even American Idol. And do you know who makes the difference here? Mr Simon Cowell. Bring him to Australia and the show will be honest and successful.
stan might be a good singer, but he is incredibly boring. idol needs a complete revamp. it should copy xfactor uk, everything about it is better. especially the performances by the contestant each week are choreographed well with something more to the performance other than singing.
Dave, I doubt very much that Jessica would see it as an Idol “stigma”. Without Idol, she wouldn’t be where she is today and she’s proven that, given time to develop as an artist, the really young participants can have a lot of success a few years down the track. Jaydee has been heavily involved in this process and I bet Jessica is extremely grateful for the whole experience (as suggested by David). She was probably offered the job and accepted it before Idol even got a chance to invite her. Remember that Guy Sebastian didn’t appear on Idol at all two years ago because he was contracted to 7 for It Takes Two – that doesn’t mean he’s not 100% behind the Idol concept. He just had other commitments.
Great show tonight. Not the most supported season but one of the better ones in my opinion.
The musical numbers tonight were great and supported by some high profile international acts.
Great event television. No one does it quite like Ten. The other networks don’t put on large scale shows like this.
I guess it saved 10 $$$ not be inside the Opera House this year?
Ten bought ad space in major newspapers last year explaining why BB was axed.
@kuttsywood. i expect less than 900k to watch this. the cricket is alot more interesting and it’s great
Stan wins !!!!!!!!!!!!
Dave she spoke highly of the experience to me about a week ago. I’d say the GABBA is just a gig not a statement, she’s done the cricket before.
It was interesting to see that Jessica Mauboy choose to perform during the half time of the cricket at the GABBA tonight over being at the Australian Idol Final. Is Jess trying to get rid of the stigma that is Idol that looms over her career??
@Kuttsywood Remind me, what was the BB announcement?
@Dan it was the Brent Street Performing Arts school doing the dance moves in time.
Honestly I think Stan will benefit more from winning, while Sony would be smart to sign Hayley’s band who are pretty darn good.
What was with all the miscues at the start and the over use of the crazy crane cam – weird.
They would be mad to bring this back in 0-10
Ten… At least supply a feed saying votes have closed, like they do with American Idol. I wonder how many viewers this will get… My tip, 900k, and a axing announcement in a form of a big blue ad (like the BB axing was delivered) in a few days.
I was wandering why an iPhone was held right in front of the camera, it was set-up by the paid crown in the front. I knew something was up there. Pathetic.
Wont be watching next year.
I’m waiting for the zombies to attack!
This is really bad! What is with the “crowd” and their perfect chirography during Mika? Paying dancers to fake a mosh pit perhaps? Way to go… Oh how I miss 2003