Where Are They Now: Season 4 + Wise Words from Paula

Before we get to this week's wrap up, we have some sage words from Paula Abdul. She's so wise. Once again, she's fawning on the boys...big surprise, I know. Who will this year's Corey Clark be. And will the Idolettes get presents from her once again even though the judges have been mandated to not fraternize with or shower the contestants with gifts? How will they ever control the ever-generous Paula?

Paula Abdul thinks that the upcoming fifth season of "American Idol" may be the strongest season yet, "so it's kind of exciting for us," she told People magazine. "It's the first season we've had strong males and strong females
together." She wants to warn female viewers, though, that they should watch at their own risk, since two of the contestants will make them swoon once they sing. "The one girls are gonna fall in love with is Ace," she said. "Man, oh, man, girls are going to fall in love with him. And a guy named Patrick, too. They both have great voices." "American Idol" premieres January 17 at 8 p.m. on FOX.


Now, here's what's going on with those crazy kids of Idol 4...as told by MSNBC. It seems like only yesterday that they were all over the television. But let's catch up with them anyway. Don't forget the dreadful auditions start next week...Tuesday, January 17th. So the posts will be fresh and new...but not really great until the show gets into full swing.

“American Idol 4” changed the rules. Instead of limiting auditions to those aged 16 to 24, producers increased the age limit to 28. The result was the addition of some talented older finalists, such as Bo Bice, Constantine Maroulis, and Nadia Turner. Certain finalists, who were 28 when they auditioned, even turned 29 while the show was continuing, leading to confusion.

After the auditions, which saw the biggest crowds ever (21,000 in DC), and the participation of celebrity guest judges such as Brandy and Gene Simmons, the show moved on to the semifinal round. For the first time, "Idol" featured 12 men and 12 women, who were voted off two at a time each week, thus assuring a top 12 that was evenly split by gender.

The season was infused with several controversies, notably Corey Clark’s interestingly timed claim that he’d had an affair with judge Paula Abdul. But weeks before that, well-liked top 12 contestant Mario Vazquez dropped out of the competition right before the finals began. He cited family-related “personal reasons,” although his mother said she was unaware of any such problems. After leaving, Vazquez hired the same lawyer Clay Aiken used to free himself from the "Idol" contract, and has since signed with Clive Davis’ J Records — the same company that has the option of signing “Idol” finalists.

Many of the other finalists haven’t had time to record and produce a record, particularly since they were touring as a group last summer. Since the show, though, many have made various media appearances, and a few have continued to nurture their Clay-like followings.

Among those with obsessive fans is Ukraine-born Anthony Fedorov, who recovered from a tracheotomy as a young child, went on to place fourth in the competition. While he’s yet to sign with a label, he toured with the other finalists, and he’ll appear on the reality show “Fear Factor” this February with Carmen Rasmusen from the second season.

Former mail carrier Vonzell Solomon placed third. Although she left her post office job, she’s maintained a connection to the organization. Along with Nat King Cole, Nick Lachey, and Alicia Keyes, Vonzell was featured on a postal-service CD collection called “Dear Santa,” produced as a tie-in for a FOX special.

But it was two of the show’s older contestants, both more rock than pop, who have had the greatest success among the losing finalists. Constantine Maroulis, who ended up in sixth place, returned to his band “Pray for the Soul of Betty” after the show. He’s now working on a solo album — and a television sitcom. Besides performing musically, Constantine has also worked as an actor on Broadway and in films. More significantly, Kelsey Grammer’s production company is working on a show for ABC that’s based on Constantine’s life. Constantine will star in the show, which will shoot a pilot episode next fall.

The other rocker of season four, Bo Bice, made it to the final two. Touring with “Idol” over the summer, he broke his foot while performing. In August, he left the tour for emergency surgery related to intestinal blockage, and complications sent him back to the hospital in mid-December. Despite those setbacks, he’s done very well. Shortly after “Idol” ended, he and his girlfriend were married, and they had a son, Aidan, in September. They eventually left Alabama for Nashville, and the couple offered their Alabama house to a family who lost theirs during Hurricane Katrina. Bo’s solo album, “The Real Thing,” which was released in mid-December, debuted at number four, and last summer, his first single, "Inside Your Heaven," debuted at number one, bumping Carrie Underwood’s version of the same song from the top of the single’s chart.

Still, it was Carrie Underwood, the winner of “American Idol 4,” who sold more copies of the single in its first week. She was only the third artist in the chart’s history to debut at number one — and other two, Clay Aiken and Fantasia, were “Idol’ runners-up and winners respectively. Like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie took home the prize after never ending up in the bottom three, so she was never threatened with elimination.

Her fans have kept her successful; last fall, her first album, “Some Hearts,” debuted at number two, with more copies sold than either Fantasia or Kelly Clarkson sold in their first weeks. Carrie’s album went platinum a month later, and by mid-December, had sold almost 1.5 million copies. Also in December, she won three Billboard music awards.

Who will be the next performer to capture our hearts or our hatred? Who will sell albums, and who will fade into obscurity? Whose fans will be slighted, and whose fans will be elated? Which auditioners will become instant celebrities, and which ones will make our ears bleed? We’ll learn the answers to these questions when “American Idol 5” debuts Jan. 17.

Diana Gets Hired Again?

I know, you're thinking? Who would hire this pig-faced child? Well, somehow she's got herself another Broadway show...she must have wowed them as Maria in WEST SIDE STORY. But this gig is in the form a tour. Good for her. Too bad the show really sucks. I guess that's why they couldn't get anyone really good. Enjoy the article from Playbill.com...

Former “American Idol” contestant Diana DeGarmo and Tony Award winner Melba Moore will head the cast of the upcoming national tour of Brooklyn.

Jeff Calhoun, who directed the Broadway production of the pop musical and who will also helm the tour, told Playbill.com that DeGarmo will play the title character and Moore will star as her nemesis, Paradice. Cleavant Derricks, who appeared in the New York company, will re-create his role as the Street Singer.

Brooklyn will mark the first national tour for 18-year-old DeGarmo, who shot to fame during the 2004 season of “American Idol.” “Diana came in and auditioned for us, and she blew us away,” Calhoun said. “Brooklyn is an 18-year-old pop star, and that’s what [Diana] is. You’re not going to do better than that!

“It’s very exciting,” Calhoun continued. “We have an ‘American Idol’ star and two Tony Award winners. And, Diana is a huge fan of Melba Moore. Melba was one of her idols.”

Calhoun will also co-produce the tour with Producers Four and John McDaniel. The latter will serve as musical supervisor, as he did for the Broadway production.

Calhoun previously said that the tour will launch at the Bushnell Center in Hartford, CT, in June. Additonal venues and dates will be announced shortly.

The show itself will not be changed for the tour. "It doesn't have to be refined," Calhoun said, "because it's already 90 minutes without an intermission and I think very touring-friendly."

Brooklyn, according to production notes, concerns a band of performers, who "tell a wondrous sidewalk fairy tale about a young girl searching for fame and the father she never knew. With just one clue to lead her, she lands in the city that bears her name, Brooklyn." Song titles include "Heart Behind These Hands," "Christmas Makes Me Cry," "Not a Sound," "Brooklyn Grew Up," "Creating Once Upon a Time," "Once Upon a Time," "Superlover," "Brooklyn in the Blood," "Magic Man," "Love Was a Song," "I Never Knew His Name," "The Truth," "Raven," "Sometimes," "Love Me Where I Live," "Love Fell Like Rain" and "Streetsinger."

The Broadway production, which starred Eden Espinosa in the title role, played its final performance at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre June 26, 2005. Brooklyn, which features a book, music and lyrics by Mark Schoenfeld and Barri McPherson, began previews at the then-Plymouth Theatre Sept. 23, 2004, with an official opening Oct. 21. The musical played 28 previews and 283 regular performances.

Melba Moore was last on Broadway in Les Misérables portraying the ill fated Fantine. A singer with a multi-octave range, Moore began her career as a back-up singer for the likes of Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Liza Minnelli. Her work in the original company of Hair led to her Tony winning role in Purlie, and since then Moore has performed in concert arenas throughout the world. Her R&B hits include “I Am His Lady,” “Falling” and “Read My Lips,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award. Moore was also recently seen in the Paramount film “The Fighting Temptations.”

Cleavant Derricks won a Tony Award for his work as James Thunder Early in the original cast of Dreamgirls. He also received a Tony nomination for his performance in Bob Fosse’s Big Deal.

King of All Media?

You know I love me some Ryan Seacrest. And the boy is everywhere these days. He just landed a sweet deal with E! that is going to make him millions...literally. Good for him...he's worth every penny (in my eyes). Here's the article...

Ryan Seacrest Lands $21 Million TV Deal

Though he still has to pen a best-selling book to qualify, Ryan Seacrest is leaping closer to becoming the new King of All Media.

The American Idol host, who turned 31 on Christmas Eve, and his Ryan Seacrest Productions have signed a $21-million contract with the E! cable network to develop, produce and host a variety of programs that, in some cases, are scheduled to run simultaneous with his duties on Idol.

The new deal, which is said to cover approximately three years, calls for Seacrest to executive produce the network's Live from the Red Carpet awards-show coverage, starting with the Jan. 16 Golden Globes Awards. In addition, he will serve as managing editor of E! News; will produce and host celebrity interview specials; act as tower host of red-carpet shows; and start – in March – as lead anchor E! News.

Seacrest will also continue as host of Idol, which returns to FOX on Jan. 16, and he will still occasionally fill in as host of CNN's Larry King Live, according to an E! press release, which also notes that Seacrest is being groomed to be sole host of ABC's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. (Last Saturday night, a debilitated Clark, 76, reappeared on the show after missing it last year due to a stroke, the effects of which were strikingly apparent on the air.)

"I am looking forward to being part of the E! team," Seacrest said in a statement. "This unique opportunity allows my company to take the next step in providing multimedia content."

On radio, Seacrest will continue to host the weekly American Top 40 as well as the Los Angeles KIIS-FM morning show On Air with Ryan Seacrest.

In his personal life – though with his heavy work schedule, it is a wonder how he could have one – in April 2004 Seacrest brushed off stories that he became quietly engaged to his girlfriend, Shanna Walls. While the New York Post claimed that boyish bachelor Seacrest wanted to keep the engagement under wraps because he didn't want to dampen his popularity with young girls, his rep told the paper, "They are just dating."

Where Are They Now: Season 3

Here's a bit about Season Three...from MSNBC.

The third season of “American Idol” started with a bang. Literally.

“She bangs, she bangs,” sang college student William Hung during the auditions, attempting to cover Ricky Martin but failing miserably. But that performance, which included Hung's stiff dancing, instantly made him a household name and an example of what the show had become. While the first season’s applicants may have been shocked by Simon Cowell’s harsh comments, by the third season, people unquestionably realized that while auditioning would only result in success for the most talented singers, the worst singers would probably appear on television.

Others may have been angry at the criticism they received, but although Simon told him, “You can’t sing, you can’t dance,” William Hung showed a positive/delusional attitude (“I already gave my best and I have no regrets at all,” he said) that turned his performance into a career of sorts. He was quickly signed to a record label and released an album of cover songs, and has since released two more, including a Christmas album. Earlier this year, he was in a film, “Where is Mama’s Boy?”, and a documentary focused on his quick rise to international fame. He’s now doing commercials and talking about a second film, even though his third album didn’t do well at all.

As horrifying as it may have been for the “Idol” producers to have a talentless performer become an icon for the series, William Hung was great for ratings. And eventually, the third season would find its voice in a single mother from North Carolina who has received accolades from musical luminaries such as Patti LaBelle, Donna Summer, and Elton John.

Since the show, Fantasia Barrino has dropped her last name, going just by "Fantasia." She released her first album last fall; it went platinum and was just nominated for four Grammys, an “Idol” record. Before that, her first single, “I Believe,” hit number one, and also was the number one-selling Billboard single of the year in addition to being Billboard’s number one-selling R&B/hip-hop single. Before being asked by Kanye West to tour with him this fall, Fanatasia wrote a memoir, revealing, among other things, that she’s functionally illiterate and had to memorize songs while on the show. Fantasia reportedly will be returning to the recording studio in 2006.

Compared to Fanatasia and finalists from previous seasons, season three's other finalists haven’t had breakout careers, although most have been actively recording and performing. Runner-up Diana DeGarmo, who was just 16 during the show, saw her first single debut at number two and eventually hit number one. Her album, however, was released a year ago and has sold fewer than 200,000 copies.

Many of the contestants have branched out into specific genres. George Huff released his first album this fall, an R&B/blues record on a Christian label; John Stevens released a jazz album last summer; LaToya London released an R&B album this fall; and Jasmine Trias has released self-titled albums in both the Philippines and the US. Jon Peter Lewis has not released an album, but he has released singles on his Web site, and Camile Velasco has signed with Motown Records, and her album is expected in early 2006.

But Jennifer Hudson may have the most to brag about, as she just beat out Fantasia for the lead role in the film adaptation of “Dreamgirls.” Still, it’s a testament to both women and to the franchise that two talented “Idol 3” finalists were competing for the lead in a musical.

Where Are They Now: Season 2

Here's your update from the Season 2 gang...as told by MSNBC.

After weeks of drama, including two people being disqualified in the middle of the competition, the second season of “American Idol” ended with even more drama. Ryan Seacrest and/or the producers might have massively screwed up by announcing different vote totals during the live finale, but ultimately, Ruben Studdard won “American Idol 2,” beating the runner-up by about 130,000 votes.

Clay Aiken was the runner-up. But you’d never know he didn't win, at least based upon the two performers’ album sales and, more significantly, fan base. Clay Aiken has perhaps the most obsessive and devoted fans in the entire “Idol” universe. Clay’s first single went platinum and debuted at number one, and he’s released two albums, including a Christmas album last year; it debuted at number four, while his debut album debuted at number one. Clay is currently on his fourth solo tour, his second this year — and that’s in addition to leading the Bubel/Aiken Foundation and serving as a UNICEF ambassador.

Ruben, the only male to ever win “American Idol,” released two records following his win. They performed quite well — he beat Kelly Clarkson’s first-week sales — but Clay’s album still sold better. Ruben’s second record, “I Need an Angel,” was a gospel album that topped the gospel charts and went gold. Since then, he’s remained relatively out of the spotlight; his Web site lists no current tours or appearances. Last spring, Ruben was in the news after he sued his manager for stealing money from him; later, his manager (who’s also his godfather), countersued.

Perhaps the most notorious season two cast member is Corey Clark, who was kicked off “Idol” when it was revealed that he’d been arrested for assaulting his sister. After disappearing for a few years, in the middle of “Idol 4,” Corey popped up and announced that he’d had an affair with judge Paula Abdul while he was still on the show (Coincidentally, he was also promoting his new album and a tell-all memoir at the same time.) FOX investigated, and late last summer cleared Paula, although the network added a no-fraternization policy, preventing the judges from having any sort of contact with the contestants.

Third-place finalist Kimberley Locke had a number of hit singles from her first album, “One Love,” and her holiday song “Up on the Housetop” recently hit number one on the Billboard AC chart. This past year, she also signed with Ford Models and is now working as a spokesperson and model for Lane Bryant. But she's continuing to perform and record; her second album is due in March.

Josh Gracin, the Marine who appeared on the show during the Iraq war’s early days, released a country music album, was nominated for the Billboard’s 2005 “New Country Artist” award, and his video for “I Want to Live” was nominated for as a “breakthrough video” in the CMA Awards. His wife gave birth to their son last year. Carmen Rasmusen also released a record last year, and she’s had parts in films, including “Down and Derby” and a version of “Pride and Prejudice.”

Some of the other second-season contestants have found success on the stage. Frenchie Davis, who was kicked off the show once it was revealed that she’d once been featured on an adult Web site, was cast in the lead role of the musical “Dreamgirls.” Vanessa Olivarez released a single that was a hit in Canada, and she went on to star as Tracy in a Canadian production of “Hairspray.”

Despite the impressive accomplishments of the second season’s finalists, North Carolinian Clay Aiken is the one who’s become synonymous with this season, mostly because his fans won’t let him be forgotten.

Where Are They Now: Season 1

MSNBC has started a little retrospective on the past Idol Season...as a lead in to IDOL 5 which starts on Tuesday, January 17th. Thanks to Sarah Norris for getting the articles to me. Here's the first installment from them...

Four years ago, no one knew who Kelly Clarkson was. Today, she’s superseded even the title of “American Idol,” becoming an equal alongside established and famous stars of the music industry.

While three other people have since shared the “idol” title with her, Kelly has lived up to it perhaps more than any of the others, becoming an actual worldwide idol. Besides placing second in the “World Idol” competition, her songs have been top 10 hits in countries from the US to Australia. She just finished touring in New Zealand and Australia, and will embark on an 11-city tour in Ireland and Great Britain early next year.

It hasn’t been an easy path: Remember the disaster that was “From Justin to Kelly,” the craptacular film that starred both Kelly and runner-up Justin Guarini? Since then, Kelly has pulled away from the “Idol” machine, divorcing herself from her “Idol”-mandated management and contract. Her second album’s title, “Breakaway,” made it clear that she was no longer just a reality TV show winner.

“Breakaway” was a little more rock than pop, and it was a smash. For the past year, since its release, it’s been in the top 20 of the Billboard 200. The album was nominated for a Grammy this year, as was its aggressively catchy second single, “Since U Been Gone,” which surprised many people who wrote Kelly off as just another bubblegum pop star. She’s such a huge star that someone tried to auction off an abandoned water bottle that allegedly carried Kelly’s DNA on eBay.

Other season one top-10 finalists have had mixed success. Nikki McKibbin and Ryan Starr have each gone on to little more than reality TV fame; they competed together in Bravo’s “Battle of the Network Reality Stars,” while Nikki appeared in E!’s “Kill Reality” (and the resulting film “The Scorned,” which was almost as bad as “From Justin to Kelly”). Ryan filled the reality TV star role on a season of “The Surreal Life.” The only openly gay "Idol" competitor, Jim Verraros, got a makeover and released his own solo album, and had a part in an independent film.

But it’s Tamyra Gray who has gone on to the most mainstream success. After “Idol,” she was dropped by her label, J Records, for being regarded as “difficult,” she says, because they wanted her to perform songs similar to those of season-three winner Fantasia Barrino. Instead, Gray released an album with 19 Entertainment. She also wrote the lyrics to “I Believe,” the song performed by season three’s two finalists, Barrino and Diana DeGarmo.

Outside of the music industry, Tamyra has appeared as a guest star on a number of TV shows, and she’s also starred in a film, “The Gospel,” and in a Broadway musical, “Bombay Dreams.”

Season one runner-up Justin Guarini has not, however, had the same sort of three years as either Kelly, Tamyra, or some of the other finalists. Justin was dropped by RCA after his album failed to sell more than 134,000 copies, he was ticketed after almost hitting a five-year-old girl with his jet ski, and he got sued for more than $100,000 after being involved in a car accident. (The suit was later settled, but the amount and details were not disclosed.)

Justin, who also hacked off his trademark hair, has just independently produced a jazz album titled "Stranger Things Have Happened, which is available via his new Web site. The site notes that he “continues to entertain in various locations all over the country, and the world, and looks forward to many more concert, television, and film appearances in 2006.”

As if it wasn’t embarrassing enough that other top-10 finalists have done better than Justin, the next season’s runner-up quickly proved that winning the competition isn’t necessary for success. Coming in second place can, we learned after “American Idol 2,” make for a wildly successful career.

DRUGS!!!

I know it may be hard to believe, but poor Julia DeMato has been arrested for drug possession. She was such a pillar of virtue in her "can you see my coochie" skirts and her "I only do it with my shoes on" stilleto heels when she was on the show. Who would have thought she would turn into a crack whore? Or maybe she was one while on the show too? It certainly wasn't her talent that was carrying through the competition. Oh yeah...and of course it's all not true (according to her). She must have been framed...aren't all the obscure Idol wannabes targets these days? Maybe she's putting out an album and needed a little extra publicity. Check out the article...and thank Jill Frese for it (she sent it to me).


UPI News Service, 12/06/2005

"American Idol" finalist Julia DeMato says her weekend drug bust was a "misunderstanding" that "will be taken care of in court."


The 26-year-old hairstylist and finalist on the 2003 edition of the Fox TV show was arrested early Sunday in Brookfield, Conn., for driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of marijuana and cocaine, MTV.com reported Tuesday.

A Brookfield police report said officers questioned DeMato after she pulled into a restaurant parking lot more than an hour after it had closed. She failed a field sobriety test and officers found in her vehicle "two marijuana pipes, a small quantity of marijuana and a glassine baggie with a small amount of white powder in her purse that field tested positive for cocaine."

The would-be singer was released on $10,000 bond with a court date set for Dec. 16.

"I am not a drug user," DeMato told the Danbury (Conn.) News-Times. "This was just a misunderstanding. It's going to be taken care of in court, and that's that."

Christmas Trees, Diet Coke and A Turkey Baster

You might be trying to figure out what these three things have in common. Well it can only be one thing, of course...Clay Aiken. Just when you thought the boy wonder of Idol 2 had disappeared forever, he returns with another holiday tour. Check out the interview from am New York.

Crooning machine
Pop’s top G-rated star spreads the holiday cheer
BY MINA HOCHBERG
amNewYork Staff Writer

Holiday tunes may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if anyone can claim to do it well, it’s Clay Aiken.Aiken’s “Merry Christmas With Love” tied with Celine Dion for Billboard’s biggest holiday album debut in 2004, not to mention it was also the best-selling holiday album. Aiken spoke with amNewYork about his “Joyful Noise ’05” tour, which hits the Beacon Theater Dec. 2-4.

Q: It’s actually your birthday tomorrow [Nov. 30], right?
CA: Is it? [Laughs.] I think so. I know it’s this week some time. I literally don’t
know what day it is.

Q: You’ve been singing holiday songs for a while now. Do you ever get jingle belled out?
CA: For some reason I don’t really get tired of the Christmas music that much. It’s more exciting to me, it’s got more meaning.

Q: Any less favorite holiday songs?
CA: “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer” and “Frosty the Snowman” songs for me are not as meaningful, so we don’t do those on the show.

Q: Your music is a lot more G-rated than other pop music.
CA: Especially at Christmas, I’d hope so!

Q:What do think of music that carries all the sexual innuendo and profanity?
CA: You have to respect someone’s right to record whatever they want to record. I personally don’t believe it’s appropriate and I personally don’t think it’s necessary to express your feelings and say what you wanna say in a negative way. My biggest concern when it comes to things like that is that there’s so many artists who are role models for kids, who have kids listening to what it is they’re saying and are looking up to them. What examples are they trying to set? For me, I just want to make a conscious effort to make sure that I’m setting only the kinds of examples that I would want for kids who I care about.

Q: You’ve said you’re a singer, not a songwriter.
CA: I definitely think so. I’m more of a Christmas tree than a songwriter.

Q: Did you ever have to come to terms with being exclusively a singer, not a writer?
CA: Oh God no, I’m happy with the gifts that I was given. You don’t have to come to terms with not being a Diet Coke, because I’m not one. It’s not something I have the
gift to do, so I don’t worry about it.

Q:What’s the strangest thing a fan has sent you?
CA: They get stranger and stranger. A few years ago I got a turkey baster from a fan. I don’t really know what that meant, and if I do understand, I really don’t want to.

Tragedy Averted

Give it to Sarah Norris for getting the scoop on this one. I honestly had no idea there was a chance that Simon Cowell wasn't going to be on this season of Idol. But all is well in Idol-land...so you can rest easy. Here's the article...

Pop Idol judge Cowell settles legal action
Tuesday November 29 11:59 AM ET

Music moguls Simon Cowell and Simon Fuller have reached a settlement in a multi-dollar legal case, apparently clearing the way for Cowell to extend his contract with the hit "American Idol" TV series.

Although details of the out-of-court agreement were not disclosed, both Simons said on Tuesday they had patched up their differences over the origins of Cowell's "The X Factor" talent show, which Fuller said ripped off his own "Pop Idol" creation.

"I am happy that we have been able to sort out our differences and find an amicable solution to our problems," said Cowell, who is best known as the acerbic judge on hit shows Pop Idol and American Idol.

"This means we can go forward and concentrate on working together for the next five years on developing other successful projects," he added in a statement released by his agent.

"Simon and I have shown just how well we work together in recent years. We have remained friends throughout this dispute and I think that it was this friendship that allowed us to settle our differences."

Fuller, who worked with Cowell on Pop Idol and its U.S. offshoot American Idol, added in the same statement:

"When Simon and I are focused and working closely together we are capable of great things and I'm looking forward to us delivering more hits around the world."

On the same day, the producers of American Idol said they had reached a deal with the Fox television network for up to six more seasons of the broadcaster's ratings mainstay.

CKX Inc. owns 19 Entertainment, the creator of the wannabe-celebrity series Idol.

The company said it reached a joint agreement with producer FremantleMedia, Fox, Cowell and record label Sony BMG to continue the series for four more seasons with an option to renew for an additional two seasons.

Cowell has agreed to stay on for at least five more seasons beginning with the next installment of the series in January.

CKX said its subsidiary as well as FremantleMedia will receive a "significantly increased" license fee from Fox in line with the higher advertising rates set for the coming season.

Fuller, best known as the manager of the Spice Girls band, had accused Cowell of copying his ideas in the hugely successful television talent show format, a claim dismissed by Cowell as "utterly ridiculous."

Fuller's company 19 TV, creator of both Pop Idol and American Idol, had taken legal action against Cowell, his firms Simco and Syco and FremantleMedia, a unit of pan-European broadcaster RTL Group.