When I heard a rumour there was going to be a world idol competition, that’s what I thought it was— a rumour. Until I saw a commercial on TV for it. My first thought was ‘wow, do they ever know how to milk this for all it’s worth!’

By Dana K.McQuaid
Reality Reel Media
01.07.04

It all began in Britain as 'Pop Idol' about two years ago and not long after, we saw American Idol, which is already starting its 3rd season. The very first Canadian Idol was crowned this past fall and auditions are already being held for the second season this February. Like a contagious disease, the Idol phenomenon has taken the world by storm. We’ve now seen an Idol movie, a Christmas Special, an Idol Tour, American Juniors, and a ‘Best of the Worst show’ in several countries. Countries all over the world have jumped on the 'Idol bandwagon', which has spurred the idea for a worldwide competition.

The first thing I heard was that World Idol was going to be aired on Christmas Day! So instead of sipping eggnog and singing Christmas carols with our family this year, we’ll be watching another highly anticipated Idol show? We were also told that after the show we should spend two more hours voting for our favourite performer. Well, as long as it wasn’t our own country’s idol, apparently. So much for hometown support in a worldwide competition.

But curiosity did get the better of me, as it usually does, so I eagerly awaited World Idol. I taped it and then when my friends and family (finally) left in the wee hours of the morning, I rushed to the TV to find out what I’d missed. In order to keep my eyes open I made a pot of strong coffee and watched as 11 idols from the all over the world sang to me in my living room.

Now I wish they didn’t. Although most of them were pretty good, some of them were surprisingly mediocre. I was definitely expecting better talent overall. How did a couple of these folks even win their own country’s competition, I wondered? Were their fellow finalists that bad? But a couple of them did stand out in the crowd: Kurt from Norway; Ryan from Canada; Kelly from the U.S; and Peter from Belgium all had phenomenal voices, I was really rooting for them. However, I gave props to Diana, the Pan Arabic Idol, for singing her song in her own language. It's unfortunate that since we couldn’t really understand her, we don’t know whether she sang the song well. And the German Idol, Alexander, got it all wrong—he clearly thought this was a dance competition! When he jumped onto stage and started singing ‘Maniac’, I started having Fame and Michael Jackson flashbacks. I’m not sure which were more painful.