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Tuesday, September 3, 2002
tameThe big day approaches for ‘American IdoP
LOS ANGELES (AP) — On
Bnesday, Justin Guarini or Kelly
darkson will be anointed an
Hnerican Idol” by television viewers.
T winner's first single will be out in
ss than two weeks, the first album two
Muhs after that.
J hat’s the certainty awaiting the
inahsts in Fox's hit talent competition,
hkh started out with 10,()(X) aspiring
top itars hoping for a TV magic-carpet
H to fame.
HAfter that? Get out the crystal ball.
top contestants have .1 shot at last
ing careers if hard work, artistic growth
a sometimes-fickle public fall into
ini, say music industry insiders.
^tor now, even the show’s co-execu-
ive producer admits the idol title is in
Hie only for Guarini, 23, of
H'lestown, Pa., or Clarkson, 20, of
leson, Texas.
■“This program or programs like it
■ great platforms for a career, but they
■ft guarantee any career," said Nigel
■hgoe. “Their music, at the end of
day. and where they take their
f nlsic anil the quality of their songs is
Jioi ig to do that.”
mu t-w IHillboard’s Geoff Mayfield agreed,
dali wassboti-i: ■“You really can’t bet on how some-
^^P’s going to fare until a record is
Hdc and it hits the stores,” said
^ftyfield, director of charts for
Bil board. Since artist development is a
gai ible anyway, the contestants’
:hi nces are as good as any, he said,
■independent producer 7 Aurelius,
who has worked with stars including
■try J. Blige, Janet Jackson and
^^^^^^^Hnifer Lopez, expressed confidence
men was ^ ^ s j|ow’s best will find success.
.All three »et l" It already worked overseas,”
my Jail on'u Aurelius said, referring to the hit
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records produced by the three top fin
ishers in Britain’s “Pop Idol,” the
model for “American Idol.”
He pronounced himself ready to
work with Nikki McKibbin, 23, of
Grand Prairie, Texas, who just missed
out on the finals. (“I want to sign her.
Print that,” said Aurelius.)
There’s precedent for enduring tal
ent-show fame. Ed McMahon's “Star
Search” (1983-95) gave us Rosie
O’Donnell and Britney Spears.
Winners of “The Original Amateur
Hour," which aired from 1948-1960
with host Ted Mack, included 7-year-
old Gladys Knight and college student
Pat Boone. In 1937, radio’s “Major
Bowes’ Amateur Hour” boasted the
biggest idol of them all: Frank Sinatra.
“American Idol” contestants seem
to have a ready-made market. The
series attracted a healthy summer audi
ence of 11.5 million when it debuted
June 11; viewership swelled to nearly
17 million last week as the contestants
were pared to the final two.
Fox crows it has the highest-rated
summer series among the young adult
viewers favored by advertisers.
The number of callers voting for
their favorite has swelled to more than
14 million weekly. That includes, how
ever, “power dialers” making thou
sands of calls in a bid to change the vot
ing outcome — which the producers
maintain has had a statistically insignif
icant impact.
“We get to pick the winner.” 15-
year-old fan Ashley Knoblach said,
explaining the show’s appeal as she
and several friends waited to take their
seats at a taping last week in
Hollywood's Kodak Theatre. Will they
buy their records? Yes, they nod in
enthusiastic unison.
The two-part finale airs Tuesday (9-
10 p.m. EDT) and Wednesday (8-10
p.m. EDT). Guarini and Clarkson will
perform the first night and votes will be
cast; the results will be announced the
second night.
There’s no cutthroat gamesmanship,
at least none apparent, between the
finalists. “This show, I'm going to be
completely relaxed,” Clarkson said in
an interview. “Whoever wins, wins.”
Predicted Guarini: “It’s gonna be a
lot of fun.”
Both have come a long way in a
short time. Clarkson had just moved to
Los Angeles and was shopping a demo
record when she answered the audition
call during a brief trip back home.
Guarini had been singing and dancing
for a children’s entertainment outfit.
“You could argue that the people
who are competing now would be
doing nothing more than singing in
local lounges if it hadn’t been for this
show,” suggested Billboard’s Mayfield.
“It’s a blessing.” Guarini said of
“American Idol.” Clarkson concurs. “I
love that I came up this way. First of all.
I have nine close friends (her fellow
finalists), and it’s hard to find people you
can trust and lean on in this industry.”
Dan Miller understands their enthu
siasm. Miller, just shy of 22, found
himself vaulted into pop fame as a
member of O-Town, the boy band that
was the focus of ABC’s reality series
“Making the Band.”
O-Town's December 2000 single,
“Liquid Dreams,” became the first
debut record from a new artist and new
label — J Records — to enter the charts
at No. I. Their first album went double
platinum: the second, “02.” is set for
KRT KAMPUS
Burleson, Texas native Kelly Clarkson Doylestown, Penn. Wednesday night..
(right) will go head to head with Nikki McKiblin (left), from Grand
Justin Guarini (middle) from Prairie, Texas, was voted off last week.
release Nov. 5.
“I wouldn't be where I am now”
without TV exposure. Miller said. “Fm
doing what I love to do, and at the end
of the day that’s the good thing.
However, there are advantages and dis
advantages.”
There was so much pressure to rush
their first album out, capitalizing on their
series fame, that some of the songs were
disappointing to band members.
O-Town is taking its time with the
new album, which includes songs written
by band members, to avoid that trap. The
group also is eager to prove it’s more
than the sum of its TV audience.
t lengthy r^ |T
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■s^unr a-P-A's cathedral opens amid
r> irKl aK3! * troubled times for the church
.•cord'. sK-
is iction was lqs ANGELES (AP) — The newest U.S. cathedral
opened Monday amid prayers and controversy as
tv was shix protesters condemned the $195 million cost and
tation in w Roman Catholics continued to struggle with a
gang-reL:: national sex abuse scandal.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral was dedicated
during a three-hour service that incorporated the
many ethnic backgrounds of the community's
faithful, from Vietnamese singing to African drum
ming to children in traditional Mexican dress.
Cardinal Roger Mahony led a procession of some
3,000 people, including more than 560 priests,
bishops and other clergy, through the sweltering
90-degree heat of the courtyard, past the 25-ton
bronze doors and into the cool stone interior.
"My friends, welcome to the city's and your
new cathedral," a beaming Mahony said as
guests settled into the new cherrywood pews. "It
is truly exhilarating to see it filled with people ...
this is what it is all about."
Pope John Paul II sent a message that was read
during the ceremony, saying the cathedral repre
sents the diversity of Los Angeles.
■
"May this cathedral always remain an eloquent
symbol of communion and fraternity, of mutual
respect and understanding," said the pope's
messenger, Cardinal James Francis Stafford.
Spanish architect Jose Rafael Moneo, whose
style is noted for combining classic architectural
themes with modern designs, built the towering,
11-story cathedral with asymmetrical design and
lack of right angles.
STUDIES IN PROGRESS
Do you have Canker Sores?
Have you nad Canker Sores in the past?
If you answered yes to both questions, you may qualify
for a research study with an investigational drug for
canker sores. We are currently looking for people who:
• are 1 2 years of age and • are in good health
older • are not pregnant or
• do not smoke or chew breast feeding
tobacco • have a canker sore that
• get canker sores that take developed within the last
up to 5 days to heal 36 hours
You must be able to return for daily visits for up to seven days.
If you qualify, you will receive compensation for participating
in this research study. Call for more information.
ASIANS • LATIN/HISPANICS”
• AFRICAN AMERICANS
Do you have dark brown patches or darkened skin spots
on your face, arms and hands due to sun exposure?
If yes, and you are at least 30 years of age, you
may qualify for a research study to evaluate the
effectiveness and safety of an investigational
treatment.
Qualified candidates will receive, at no cost
• Dermatological evaluations • Topical study medications
• Compensation for time and travel
Call for more information.
OSTEOARTHRITIS
STUDY
Persons with osteoarthritis of the knee, hip,
hand, or spine needed to participate in a 12-
month research study with an investigational
medication. Eligible volunteers will be com
pensated.
Call for more information.
SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS
(RED, DRY, SCALY RASH)
Volunteers, ages 1 2 and older with sebor
rheic dermatitis of the face, scalp, and/or
chest needed to participate in a four week
research study with an investigational topi
cal medication. Symptoms include red
ness, dryness and scaling. Eligible volun
teers will be compensated.
Call for more information.
ATOPIC DERMATITIS STUDY
(ECZEMA)
Individuals 18 years of age and older with
moderately severe atopic dermatitis (35% -
75% body surface) needed to participate in a
28 day research study with an investigation
al topical cream. Study will include multiple
blood draws and overnight stays. Eligible
volunteers will be compensated for their
time and effort.
Call for more information.
DO YOU HAVE PSORIASIS
Are you: Suffering from mild to moderate
Psoriasis 8. 12 years of age or older?
Help may be just around the corner. A
physician in your area is participating in a
clinical trial investigating a new treatment for
psoriasis. You could be eligible to partici
pate.
Call for more information.
BACTERIAL
VAGINOSIS STUDY
Female volunteers, ages 18 and older needed
to participate in a clinical research study for the
treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Symptoms
include an odorous off-white vaginal dis
charge. Volunteers will receive free laboratory
tests and medication and will be compensated
for their time.
Call for more information.
OTITIS EXTERNA STUDY
(SWIMMER’S EAR)
Volunteers, ages 6 months and older, need
ed to participate in a research study of an
investigational ear drop treatment for swim
mer’s ear (external canal infection.)
Symptoms include itching, tenderness to
touch and pain. No blood work. Eligible vol
unteers will be compensated.
Call for more information.
YEAST INFECTION STUDY
Females ages 18 and older are being recruit
ed to participate in a research study to com
pare two research medications for the treat
ment of a yeast infection (vaginitis). If you
are currently experiencing vaginal burning,
itching, or irritation call for more information.
Eligible volunteers will be compensated up
to $ 150.00.
Call for more information.
J&S Studies, Inc.
The Physician Centre • 979-774-5933
3201 University Dr. E., Suite 475 Bryan, Texas 77802
BOY