Ellen DeGeneres – Great People Are Still Everyday People.

Great people are still everyday people.

Great people lose socks in the laundry and order Chinese food when they don’t want to cook. In the morning their breath smells and they put their pants on one leg at a time.

What makes someone great is undefinable. However greatness is easy to identify.

Entertainers are scrutinised more than any other profession. It is easy to lose them in the hype.

It is easy to forget that Ellen DeGeneres is a great entertainer. Happiness and light are often mistaken for incompetence, just as darkness is continually praised for being creative. Talent alone cannot sustain a talk show for over 1000 episodes and producers, agents and networks can only do so much. Success on the level that Ellen has achieved comes from discovering your purpose on Earth and living it with every breath.

Season 10 of American Idol is going to rest squarely on the shoulders of Ellen DeGeneres. She is going to be the selling point for the biggest show on the planet. Ellen has reportedly signed a contract to be a judge on the show for at least five seasons. American Idol viewers may not have seen Ellen at work, but someone, somewhere knows she can handle it.

The comedian started taping the Hollywood rounds of the show last week and it will debut on FOX on February 9, 2010. On Ellen’s first day on set, reports indicate Simon Cowell showed up an hour-and-a-half late. DeGeneres was reportedly “greatly annoyed” by the tardiness. Insider sources say there are going to be two camps for Season 9. They claim Ellen has decided to try to take control since Simon is on his way out. The rumour mill, greatness’s strongest ally and enemy, is already in full force.

Whatever ensues this will make for great television.

Ellen DeGeneres knows how to make great television.

Great people get annoyed too and don’t always get it their own way. However, great people are remembered not for the arguments or speculation, but for how they transcended all of this and still made a difference.

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How Überstar Found Me – An Unlikely Beginning (Part III)

The hours after my first interview were euphoric. I couldn’t sit still. I had no appetite. The following day, after a sleepless night, I was even more charged. My body hummed and I could process many thoughts at once. The third day, however, my energy slammed back to Earth.

The sand stung my face as the wind picked up. It was still hot, but now my delicate tranquility was disturbed. Bondi Beach, although packed with thousands of people, was peaceful. All the noise blended into a low hum.

The euphoria of the previous days was addictive. I wanted to live all my days like this – to venture in unchartered territories. But my body would not allow it. I was bone-tired and I hadn’t had one new idea in three days.

I looked down at my notes yet again. I searched for something between the lines. The ideas now looked flat. Frustration and doubt were growing.

I put my legal pad into my bag and rolled over on my towel. I closed my eyes, taking off my sunglasses before resting my face on my damp, sandy towel.

It was then, that it happened. The thing I was subconsciously waiting for.

The triple helix appeared.

The triple helix was my secret key to passing every academic exam I’d ever taken. The triple helix allows me to see how ideas interact, where they want to go. Whether it is Modern History, Legal Studies, English or Chemistry it shows me how energy manifests into form. It shows me patterns in human behaviour and interactions. The triple helix allows me to know only a few facts, yet still write a lot. All I do is add a few dates (History), precedents (Legal Studies), character situations (English) or bonds (Chemistry). The triple helix appears in black space of my mind when I close my eyes.

The triple helix moves in all planes. As it changes direction, it vibrates, emitting a sound –similar to a deep cello chord. I feel the sound. It reverberates throughout my body. When an idea wants to be written, my hands move, transforming the sound into words. Often there are multiple helixes of different sizes, twirling and vibrating at different speeds. As I lay on my towel I saw five with interchanging colours – green, blue, red and violet. Violet on this occasion was the predominating colour.

The triple helixes were energising my body. I could feel the characters. I could touch them. I knew them.

The helical symphony had begun.

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The Überstar Who Sold His Soul – Robbie Johnson.

“From the moment I laid eyes on Robbie I had the feeling he was a hero or some such higher being. He always said the right thing at the right moment. I had to keep myself from staring. Right now, light strikes off his lower lip, glowing, like the face of some sort of statue, strong and soft at the same time.” Pg 53, Überstar

Robbie Johnson is destined for stardom. The smart money is on him to win.

Robbie Johnson is a livewire and events in his life are conspiring to maximise his potential. A classic over-achiever with no moral compass, Robbie laughs hard at the lurid stories his friends tell at parties, and he uses his charms to manipulate women. On the first night of the competition, he sleeps with a female producer to gain favour. Unbeknownst to him, Flashman is having an affair with the same woman.

Robbie dominates viewer polls and is adored by every female in the country. He is constantly filmed in different states of undress – his tanned body is a ratings gem. Robbie creates national headlines when he punches the country’s top radio DJ in the mouth for insulting his mother.

However, Robbie’s past is whispering in his ear. He is unable to forgive the Butterfly who dusted its wings for giggles. Robbie has a dark secret – something hidden from view.

Robbie Johnson has sold his soul.

According to legend, Robert Johnson (May 8, 1911–August 16, 1938) was a young black man living on a plantation in rural Mississippi. Branded with a burning desire to become a great blues musician, he was instructed to take his guitar to a crossroad at midnight. There he was met by the devil who took the guitar and tuned it. The devil played a few songs and then returned it to Johnson, giving him mastery of the guitar. In exchange for his living soul Robert Johnson was able to create the blues for which he became famous.

“You knew it was leading you to this point. You knew that things were about to change—you have always seen things others have not, felt things that put you two steps ahead of the game, and this will only grow stronger, clearer, with bigger stakes. I know you want to see how far you can go.” Pg234, Überstar

* * * *

Robbie Johnson’s exploits are based upon real events. Robbie’s character is a reconstruction. His physical appearance, nationality and age have been changed to hide the original source’s identity.

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In A Country Called ‘American Idol’

The ninth season of American Idol premiered on January 12, 2010, on FOX.

Nearly 30 million people tuned in for the latest installment of America’s highest rating show. More viewers watched this television show than there are people living in Australia and The Netherlands. If American Idol were a country it would be the 40^th largest nation on Earth.

If you look closely though, American Idol could be considered a nation state. Numbers aside, American Idol appears to work like a modern government.

It has a President, Simon Cowell – a popularly hated/supported leader with the power to make or break careers with one comment. Supporting the President is a Vice-President, Randy Jackson – a guy who backs up what the President says at every opportunity. There is a newly appointed Secretary of State, Kara DioGuardi – the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence. And a front man, the Press Secretary, Ryan Seacrest – the smooth talking, likeable spokesperson for the administration.

We could be considered the constituents of American Idol. Each year we are voting one more delegate to the Idol Congress. So far there are eight representatives. We live underneath a blue and white flag and our constitution comprises of one line – “All powers herein granted shall be vested in the search for America’s next singing superstar.”

Scandal follows this administration. Our leader is leaving office at the end of the year and switching parties. The original Secretary of State, Paula Abdul, was accused of having an affair with a candidate in the second election, and in the sixth, she seems to be swaying in her chair and slurring words in an interview. She denies being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, attributing her behaviour to fatigue and technical problems during the interview.

The elections held every year continue to generate headlines. In election two, Candidate Corey Clark is disqualified for not disclosing a police record. Later in the campaign, Candidate Franchelle ‘Frenchie’ Davis is disqualified when topless photos of her appear on the Internet. In election three, racial tensions surfaced when future Oscar-winner Candidate Jennifer Hudson was eliminated. Guest judge Sir Elton John called the vote “incredibly racist.” Every year there is constant speculation of a faulty vote counting system that loses millions of votes. There are even rumours the elections are rigged…

American Idol the nation is now holding its ninth election.

Over the coming months, another American will be elected to the Idol Congress. It promises so much. What takes place between then and now will not only make for entertaining viewing, but show us something about ourselves we are striving to become…

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How Überstar Found Me – An Unlikely Beginning (Part II)

No matter how many times I tried to turn the pictures off in my head, I lay awake staring at the ceiling. I could see dust twirling in the moonlight. I rolled over and saw ‘four a.m.’ staring back at me – ten hours after the conversation with my mother’s best friend.

Sleeping in Australia in summer time is hard enough without every cell in your body buzzing.

The pictures rolled on, and on, and on. The accompanying sound was not coming from my head, but from the centre of my chest – the point where the ribcage becomes the stomach.

With every passing minute there was more clarity. My mind was piecing together a story that would become a cohesive force in my life. I was at a crossroads. However, unlike my first sip of peppermint tea the previous afternoon, I recognised it.

I was going to write a book.

I didn’t have all the answers, but I had enough to get started.

I hadn’t heard a story like this… ever.

It had to be written.

I still had two years of post-graduate study remaining. Thirty-two hours per week at University (not including study time), over thirty examinations per semester, on top of Board Certifications and an Outpatient Clinic Internship before I’d even put finger to keyboard… This would require discipline.

As the dark morning hours became light morning hours, a familiarity dawned. I knew what this book was. Reality-television is heavily criticised. Reality-television has become a colourful staple in television programming. Reality-shows are blamed for celebrating mediocrity, yet the tabloids around the world are covered with former stars in different stages of undress, intoxication and addiction. Now I knew there was far more to it.

The next morning I sipped my coffee in between furious scribbles on a legal pad. For a story like this, an exposé was not enough. This had to be a novel. I wanted everyone to feel what I felt. This book had to put you under the spot lights, in the shoes of everyone involved.

Überstar took its first breath.

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Überstar’s Mastermind: Executive Producer, Graham ‘Flashman’ Doherty

‘Graham Doherty, the show’s Executive Producer, is a cowboy. He is known to all as Flashman, a moniker that stuck after a big night out with Michal Douglas a long time ago. The true origins of the name are unknown, although there are many rumours. In another life he might have been a used car dealer, this observation causing those who attempt to uncover the meaning not to base their interpretations on noble sentiments.’ Pg22, Überstar

Flashman is Überstar’s mastermind. Nothing escapes him.

An experienced manipulator of influence, he has two God-given talents – making great television and women. Flashman is an irresistible scoundrel who, among his revolving rolodex of conquests, is sleeping with his ambitious producer and married publicist – the television station owner’s sister.

Flashman embeds spies within the production crew and uses whatever tools at his disposal to control every aspect of the Überstar juggernaut. His boldest manipulation is of his old friend, Bruce Addington – the Überstar director. Addington is a former wunderkind who is resurrecting his career after years of battling alcohol. He landed the job directing the show because of Flashman’s good grace and Addington’s comeback tentatively promises a full recovery after he was shortlisted (through Flashman’s film connections) to direct a Hollywood film.

Flashman owns everyone and everything. He decides who goes and who stays.

However even the almighty Flashman with decades of television experience cannot foresee the storm that is about to hit…

‘I can still remember that feeling—that sinking feeling, like when the horse you’ve put three grand on is about to be run down with a hundred to go. It’s only happened twice in my career, funnily enough. The first was on location early on, in some place I have forgotten the name of—it was hot, in the desert somewhere, and a thunderstorm threatened to wipe us out—the clouds were so black that it was like night at midday. And the other, well … was in my brief stint with Überstar.’ Pg510, Überstar.

* * * *

Graham ‘Flashman’ Doherty’s exploits are based upon real events. Flashman’s character is a reconstruction. His physical appearance, nationality and age have been changed to hide the original source’s identity.

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Simon Cowell – Genius, Genie or Ghoul?

It is over. Or is it? On 11 January 2010, Simon Cowell’s exit from American Idol was made official.

The 2010 season will be Cowell’s last. It was also announced that FOX has acquired the rights to an American version of Cowell’s popular British show, X-Factor, which is slated to begin production in the fall of 2011.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but…” – he knows something. A closer look at one of the world’s most maligned figures reveals something eerily profound. His public persona is built upon unsparingly blunt appraisals of contestant’s talents, personality, and physical appearance; however he’s hiding in plain sight. Cowell is ruthless and shrewd, but above all, untouchable.

Cowell was described in April 2009 by the The Times as representing the “heartless, thoughtless and superficial – the flotsam and jetsam of the polluted seas of celebrity that is likely to sink without trace into toxic foam” (1). The following month, he bought his $22 million, 11,550 sq ft Beverly Hills home. Money is not always an accurate gauge of morals, but it is of productivity. News Corporation, the owner of FOX and The Times, didn’t seem to mind the comment – nor did Cowell.

Cowell learnt his trade at the family dinner table. His father was an executive at the record giant EMI, and like all men of position he understood the credibility of building a career from the ground up. Cowell’s started in the EMI mailroom. While he reached for the salt, his mother a former ballet dancer and socialite would delight in the details of gossip. An instinct developed. He knew how to play the game.

Cowell’s prominence has underpinned American Idol’s success. Although the ratings have flagged for the last three seasons, it’s profitability through other marketing arrangements has increased. In May 2009, the head of non-scripted programming for FOX told The Times that Idol could lose 12 percent of its audience every season and remain among the top-10 TV shows in 2016 (2).

Cowell projects seldom encounter the publicity hurdles of new programs. The success of the Idol and X-Factor franchises has lead to other profitable shows within the Got Talent format. Along with signing Idol and X-Factor contestants, Cowell is responsible for the international success of the operatic pop group Il Divo.

Simon Cowell is one of the few bankable acts in television and FOX are diversifying their investment. Cowell at his best is bitingly critical. He is a ghoul. His comments generate millions. He is a genius. His approval launches careers and indelibly marks pop-culture. He is a genie.

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How Überstar Found Me – An Unlikely Beginning

Überstar was conceived in February 2005.

Überstar, like most of life’s wonderful things, found me.

I was enjoying the last weeks of vacation in Byron Bay, Australia. A place famous for being a hippie commune and backpacker paradise, Byron Bay is 800 kilometres north of Sydney. Enclosed by volcanic mountains and sub-tropical vegetation Byron Bay elevates jaded spirits.

I was savouring the last days before returning to Sydney for my fourth year of university. I had decided space was required before my penultimate year of chiropractic studies, so I camped out in my car for three weeks – swimming, lazing on the sand, eating fruit, drinking tequila and wearing a straw cowboy hat… except I’m not from Texas, and so, a little self-indulgent when considering socially acceptable headwear in Australia.

My cell phone had been buried in the bottom of my beach bag. On the first day grains of sand had gotten into the space between the digit keys and so for the remainder of the trip it was forgotten. I was determined to be an island. Upon my return road trip to Sydney, I was listening to 55 voicemails and reading countless SMS. Most of the SMS were from university buddies. Three calls were from my mother, all on the same subject.

The first was nice and polite. The second, the story grew. The third was firm, almost an order.

My mother’s best friend knew that I was a writer, even though I was studying to be a chiropractor. This woman was my mother’s best friend since she was four years old – a woman who had held me as a baby. My mother’s best friend had a daughter, and her daughter could sing. Her daughter was young and beautiful; her daughter had been on television.

My mother does not ask for many favours, but she was insistent that I stop by her best friend’s house on the way back. It was on the way, and hearing the tone of her voice, I figured it was easier to humour her than not comply.

Pulling into my mother’s best friend’s driveway, I had no idea what was to befall me. The moment was not extraordinary and there was no feeling of a predetermined fate. Hugging my mother’s best friend was no different and the first sips of the peppermint tea burnt my tongue.

Three hours later, when I strapped on my seatbelt, pulling out of her driveway I felt something growing inside of me.

My mother’s best friend’s daughter had been a Top 12 Finalist on Australian Idol and if I had not known this woman my entire life, I would not have believed a word that had left her mouth…

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