Australian Idol Viewers Will Be Surprised By Kyle’s “Hidden Softness”
Australian Idol is returning To Screens after a 14-year hiatus, and a lot has changed….
TV talent show wannabees have been replaced with TikTok wannabees, skinny jeans have been swapped with boyfriend jeans, and Idol judge Kyle Sandilands’ spiky blonde hair has been usurped by something more Santa-like.
He’s also become a father in that time. So has fatherhood softened Kyle?
“Kyle will always be Kyle,” Majella Hay, Seven’s Head of Entertainment told B&T. “Whilst he might seem harsh he actually says things that you might be thinking at home, he’s just the one who has the guts to say it”.
Yet there were some signs of change.
“I was surprised by how emotional he became in performances. I think there’s one point he actually says ‘damn, that beautiful little Baby of mine, its made me soft’.
“I think there is a little hidden softness in there which might surprise some viewers”.
But don’t worry sadists – there will still be plenty of dream-crushing.
“Are you going to see bad singers who are going to be told that they don’t have a career in music? Absolutely you are, because that’s actually the music industry,” Hay said.
One thing that is different is the shift to hosting the auditions in regional areas, as well as metro venues.
“We went out specifically to regional areas and rural areas to find those people that hadn’t had a chance to become a star”.
In a move that I’m told isn’t specifically designed to make the rest of us feel ancient, this year sees more young people audition than ever before.
“We almost got to the point where we had to say to the judges ‘stop saying, ‘Oh my God, you’re only 15’,” Hay said.
And whilst today’s youths can make it big on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, for Hay the judge’s experience sets Australian Idol apart from social media platforms.
“They’ve lived it,” she says. “The beauty about our panel is they are all completely different”.
Kyle joins American Idol judge and Grammy award-winning singer Harry Connick Jr; Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor and eight-time ARIA Award-winning singer-songwriter Amy Shark.
For Katie Finney, Director of 7RED, the show brings back the power of live TV.
“Australians stopped every week on that Sunday and Monday night to see who’s going to be in and who’s going to go out”.
Back in the 2000s it wasn’t possible to watch things back on streaming services, “it was a totally different pace”, Finney said.
For Finney, streaming brings additional opportunities.
“We can optimize our audiences,” she says.
“If we are seeing that more people are watching it on the 7plus stream versus the linear stream, [we can]actually move the activity across”.
Australian Idol is produced for the Seven Network by Eureka Productions.
Australian Idol Premiering 7.30pm Monday, 30 January on Channel 7 and 7plus.
Latest News
Zitcha appoints Josh Forsyth as sales lead to drive retail media growth across APAC
Following global expansion and continued strong local demand Zitcha appointed Josh Forsyth as APAC sales lead. Lead image: Josh Forsyth, sales lead, Zitcha. Australian-headquartered Zitcha, which operates across four continents in countries including the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, is looking to Asia as the next major emerging retail media market. In […]
Moët Hennessy NZ Adds Special PR To Agency Roster
Special PR has been added to Moët Hennessy’s roster of communications agencies in New Zealand following a competitive pitch. Special PR will be responsible for integrated communications for Moët Hennessy across its luxury brands, including Cloudy Bay, Whispering Angel, Veuve Clicquot and Glenmorangie. The scope of work includes media relations, influencer marketing, content creation, events […]
Dylan Alcott, Ellie Cole & Kurt Fearnley To Headline Nine’s Paralympics Coverage
They say Olympics is more aspirational & Paralympics is more inspirational, but B&T is here for goalball & murderball.
The Monkeys, Howatson+Co, VML Australia Win Big At The One Show’s Awards
A top showing saw Australia ranked fifth globally, well above our friends over the Ditch.
Readers Are Looking To Books For Escape – Should They Look To Adverts, Too?
Are you or someone you know a bibliophile? That's a lover of books & not an 80s paper filing system. Read on here.
TV Ratings (19 May 2024): Nine’s Travel Guides Goes Head To Head With Seven’s Farmer Wants A Wife
Love travelling to Kuta to watch the lads from the Currawong Goannas footy club whoop it up? Travel Guides is a must.
Sky New Zealand Initiates Process For Advertising Sales Representation In Australia
Sure, on the surface they pretend to despise us, but this news offering proves the Kiwis love of all things Australian.
Opinion: Queer & Present Danger – Australia’s Battle For LGBTQ+ Recognition Through Communication
Aside from this absolute cracker of a headline, Think HQ's Blake Mason piece is very important.
Val Morgan Digital Partners With Audigent To Connect Brands With Passionate Audiences At Scale
Cinema advertiser Val Morgan announces partnership with data platform Audigent. Neither commenting on the new Mad Max.
International Olympic Committee Launches “The First Effect” Campaign, Via Deloitte Digital
The Paris Games are a mere 64 days away. Let this ad be the trickle before the Olympic ad storm.
‘Marketing In The Cockpit, Creativity, Partnerships, Failure And Dream Big’ – Josh Faulks’ Five Takeaways From RESET
Missed AANA RESET or worse, accidentally doze off during said conference? Relive the highlights again here.
Nine Promotes Nikki Rooke To Replace Richard Hunwick As Director Of Sales – Total TV
Nine names Nikki Rooke as Richard Hunwick's successor. Yet to politely mention the boxes in Richard's former car spot.
Thinkerbell Wants To Make Every Day A “Lovely Day For A Guinness”
As the weather cools, probably more of us are thinking about a Guinness. Especially those of us with constipation.
The Unexpected Guest Wins oOh!media’s Inaugural Indigenous Business Grant
Here's a top initiative recognising Indigenous businesses. Yet kangaroos remain un-thanked for their tireless work.
Indie Creative Agency Dig Wins Bendigo Bank, Launches New Campaign
Hate your bank? Why not take the debt, poor credit record & maxed out Visa over to the friendly folk at Bendigo.
Made This Launches Mercedes-Benz Van’s New Online Store Through Massive LED Show
Is the downside to driving a Mercedes-Benz van that all the other delivery drivers think you're a bit of a wanker?
News Corp Launches Indigenous Sport Week Editorial Campaign
News Corp launches a new campaign to show the importance of Indigenous Australians to the sports we all love.
New “Population: Unexpected” Boomtown Brand Positioning Celebrates Regional Australia, Via Thinkerbell
Mark this as opinion, but surely the greatest advertisement for living in the regionals is living in Sydney?
Cairns Crocodiles, Presented by Pinterest: The Most-Shortlisted Agencies
This list of most nominated agencies for Cairns Crocs comes from lots of hard work & a shimmy of sassy showboating too.
Samsung Ads’ “Behind The Screens” Event: Showcasing Market Leadership In Connected TV
B&T was front row at Samsung's 'Behind The Screens' event. Here we go behind the scenes of 'Behind The Screens'.
UM Hires Former Carat Client Partnerships Head To Lead Optus Account
Matt Evans says "yes" to the Optus gig at UM but not before saying "no" to his previous employer asking him to stay.
Roy Morgan: Written News Reaches 97% Of Aussies
New study reveals written news reaches 97% of the population. The other 3% still think Bob Hawke's the prime minister.
‘Blair Is Mr Happy, Beau Is Mr Dopey, I’m Mr Grumpy’ – Top Gear Australia Hosts Reveal What It Was Really Like Filming
Top Gear features the cars you could never afford to drive. It's a bit like the bogan's Gourmet Traveller, really.
Nine’s Total TV Sales Lead Richard Hunwick To Step Down
Nine's Richard Hunwick calls time after 15 years. Hoping for a last trip to the Olympics before getting the gold watch.
Yahoo Academy Culminates With Pitch-Off For Musicians Making A Difference With Trip To Cannes In Cairns On The Line
B&T happy to support the Musicians Making A Difference initiative. Particularly any that encourages more Watusi.
TV Ratings 16/5/24: Nearly 2 Million Tune In To See Sky Blues Win In Women’s State Of Origin
B&T does make jokes about the Budget reply speech but, to his credit, Mr Potato Head rated OK last night.
Binge Launches “Scene:Scents” Sensory Entertainment Campaign, Via Thinkerbell
There's now scented candles to pair with BINGE shows. We're hoping Rex Hunt's Fishing Adventures doesn't hear about it.
Jolt Partners With Veridooh For Verification Of Its EV Charger Placements In UK
Although B&T's an avid supporter of EV cars, we'd definitely miss the smell of petrol and the service station pie.
Nine Ad Manager Named Principal Sponsor Of CommBank SmallBiz Week
CommBank's SmallBiz Week is coming to Melbourne on the 29-30 May. B&T's as confused as you are on how that's a week.
Pet Circle & Seven Communications Partner On “Pawtition” To Get Pets On Public Transport
B&T's concerned about the fleas, urine & faeces on public transport - and that's just from fellow passengers!
‘A Win-Win’ – How The Matildas Helped CommBank Become A ‘Globally Iconic Brand’ For The First Time
CommBank's sponsorship of the Matildas is a sport marketing masterclass. The opposite to Nick Kyrgios & his sponsors.
VML Australia Dominates The One Show With 5 Gold Pencils
VML Australia flying the flag at the One Show Awards in New York. Not that we need more flag waving at the moment.
Social Soup: Consumers Looking For “Informative” Not “Funny” Social Content When Making Buying Decisions
In a further blow to ventriloquism everywhere, new research says consumers prefer information over funny videos.
GIO Unveils New “Protect Precious” Brand Positioning & Campaign, Via Ogilvy
Insurer asks what's precious in our lives in new work. Which is better than asking is this business highly flammable.
Digitas & Heckler Singapore Launch Animated Symphony For Riot Game’s Valorant Champions Tour Pacific
Stony silence between you and the graphic arts team at Friday drinks? This gaming news could be an ice breaker.
Wavemaker Global CEO Toby Jenner Appointed Global President, GroupM Clients
Wavemaker’s Toby Jenner continues his career trajectory. But is it enough to move him up to the first class lounge?