Australian Idol & Current Affair Age discrimination story

Do you think performers over the age of 28year olds should apply?.

Did you see the 40's something chap on a current affair show not so long ago who's taking Grundy's (I think) to the courts for discrimination.

All I can say is GO FOR IT. There are plenty of talented performers out there who are in their late twenties, thirties and forties, plus.

When the reporter on the current affair started interviewing people on the street about their thoughts on the matter they simply replied anyone who wishes to apply should be given the chance. They even went on further to say age does not matter if your talented.

I hope this guy wins in court. Hopefully the rules will change for 2005. Stay tuned for the results, I hope there is no hush money involved.

Cheers

Smiles
JB

I agree with the idea of anyone being able to apply AND audition, absolutely no question on that.

Here it comes, the but.

But what they (the organisers of "idol" etc) are looking for is an image, as well as talent that will appeal to "the market", and sadly as you get older the talent quotient has to go higher to make the same overall impact. The market does have a predilection for new, young and good-looking talent.
This, I think, is only true in the main as far as making a break into the industry, because once you are in, all you have to do is maintain it, the talent level that is. Look at all the older rock & roll and pop stars who made their break in the 50's and 60's and are still hanging on and are by no means physically attractive as they once were (although I must admit Olivia does still look rather nice)!

Many would (and do) say how did the Spice Girls and Bardot ever get a recording contract(s)? They weren't that bad. However, don't forget they were manufactured groups who were overnight sensations.

Now, being a bloke the first thing one notices is that they are fairly attractive members of the opposite gender - that is the first hurdle overcome. They LOOK good! As much as anyone would like to state you can't judge a book etc... we are humans and that is what we do, it is primal. Then, if they can do something that is better, or more talented than us, they are on the way to that "stardom". So we have reasonable looks and ability. With some additional coaching, (not exorbitant) weÂ’ve got ourselves a star.

Can we see where this is going?
The forty something yearold chap may very well be talented but to get him marketed to the masses would be nigh on impossible. I, too hope he wins his day in court.

I guess a current prime example of this marketability would be the string quartet Bond. They have been around for a few years and have just had one of their pieces (Explosive) used as the theme for the Seven NetworkÂ’s Olympic Games coverage.
OK, so they play tarted-up versions of the classics, but by crikey they look good, sound alright - and one of them is a local sheila.

grm, all true and I agree with everything you say but just remember from a womens point alot (not all) girl bands when they started were in their mid to late twenties. I only say that because if you keep an eye on the mags plus inside information these girls have not aged especially for example that Ginger spice girl she says she is thirty now but for the last two years she has repeated her 28th birthday twice. Wow I say but I'm sure you can see that most of the girls in show biz these days do not say their true age so whos to say that thirty somethings are not as marketable. There are some hot 30 something's out there. For example a particular person who I have worked with in the industry (successful singer/recording artist) claims she is 33 years old, but I know she is 38years old turning 39 this year (a stunner) but the public will never know. Actually she is very petite and can get away with acting younger - which I say why not.
So all I can say I see exactly what your saying but unfortunatley the public (who don't know much about the in's and out's of showbiz) will always believe what is printed (when it comes to age). But I do agree with the marketablility.
By the way as talented as all of the Idol contestants are alot of them do look over 30.

i agree with most of what has been said and i too have a but...........

what we need to remember is Australian Idol is a television show First and singing contest (or whatever you want to call it) Second.
aussie idol is there to make a sucessful tv show, they need ratings to keep on air.
The younger veiwers are the ones who are most likely to vote and buy the merchandise and CD's etc. they are looking for an idol that younger kids will put up posters on their bedroom walls and go crazy about, they want something new and fresh............ they DONT want someone old enough to be their mum or dad or their teacher or aunty or uncle etc............. thats not cool!!
aussie idol is trying to find someone that kids will sleep overnight at bocs just to buy a ticket to their show and who does those kinds of things??? the 12 - 18 year olds.
aussie idol is not stupid, they know where the money is and its certainly NOT with the 25+
realistically...... can you tell me most 25+ would do the above mentioned with the pressure of car repayments and mortgage/rent BILL$ etc etc??? i think not

sure australians of all ages and races and circumstances WATCH the show........ lets face it, its entertaining even my grandma gets into it!!! but the majority of 25+ wont go any further, they'll watch MAY vote on a knockout performance but thats probably as far as it goes. whereas the kids will go crazy buy the magazines and posters and CD's and t-Shirts etc.

lets say for instance a woman of 38 with 2 kids won aussie idol........ can you see her gracing the covers of GIRLFRIEND and DOLLY wearing the latest hipsters??? uh-uh she would probably be featured in the art and crafts section in New Idea!!!

fair or unfair aussie idol has put the age limit there for a good reason and it seems to be working for them............ how many kids bought afro wigs to support guy sebastian???

as much as it would be nice for the over 25's to have the chance to audition and go on to the final...... its simply not realistic with the shows structure. good on the guy whos sueing but i think despite the outcome i cant see aussie idol abolsihing the age limit.

No, either way I can't see the age limit being changed or revoked. And yes, it is a telly show first and foremost, which unfortunately like so many others of the "reality" variety would seem to be catering for the lowest common denominator and the greatest market, which by its very nature is the teen and twenty something age group (I do know someones in their 30Â’s and 40Â’s who watch idol). And it is cheap to make which the bean counters LOVE!

What we are all saying is something that I didn't quite say directly and that is "a marketable package". It is the complete unit that is being looked for as has been stated – merchandising can bring in more than the show itself.

It’s sad that what seems to be suggested is that so many of the younger peoples are indeed looking for an idol to adore, and that they may be gullible enough to accept what is presented. All a part of growing up I guess – hey I was a very naive teenager. “Back in my day” (now you’ll have an idea of my vintage) the pop video was just being born (pioneered by ABBA) and Countdown was still in its heyday with Sherbet and Skyhooks etc. (not that I watched it ‘coz I wasn’t home on a Sunday night at that time) so the search for an idol or popstar was not as advanced or sophisticated as it is now (it was there though).

I can recall going to the airport with my tape recorder when Sherbet flew into Perth in the 70’s and the number of screaming girls was phenomenal – I still have that recording.

According to info that I have Geri (ginger spice) Halliwell is just turned 32.
As for someone in their thirties still looking pretty good, the singing budgie (Kylie) is 36 (what has become of Dannii?).

Probably at least one reason why there is an age limit is to restrict the number of people that have to be vetted by the auditioners – as it is there are hundreds to go through. What is shown on the TV is only the proverbial drop in the bucket.
By the way I don't watch Idol - that kind of programme drives me beresk. I have tried for a few minutes here and there.

NOTE: BEFORE ANYONE GETS ALL UPSET WE ARE JUST REVIEWING AGE WE THINK ALL PERFORMERS IN IDOL ARE GREAT. SO RELAX AND TAKE YOUR OWN AGE POLL. :-)

Australian Idol: Friendly critics

Amali = 16years (she does look it)
Angie = 26years ( great voice, paulini's cousin but doesn't look 26years)
Anthony = 21years (from Melbourne, voice great maybe 27 in looks)
Casey = 16 years ( great voice but I cannot believe she is 16 )
Chanel = 26 (very talented maybe 28-30years)
Courtney= 24 ( unusual voice might go a long way but looks a lot older)
Dan = 25 ( cute smile, voice good late twenties I believe)
Daniel= 21 (very cute smile, talented, classically trained mid/late twenties)
Emelia = 25 (MOTHER Michelle) and if you have a close look she is over thirty with a talent that can grow
Hayley=21 (pretty, good voice mid twenties)
Marty = 26 (good looking, excellent voice on closer look maybe even older)
Ricki = 18 (pretty, bouncy, bubbly I say early twenties.

As long as they can show proof of age they are in but that does not mean they are truly that age. If the network likes them they can say whatever they want OR if the judges love them they will choose. We believe the network/judges ultimately choose too much money involved to let the public choose 100%. Look at it this way if the public were to vote for the worst do you honestly think the network will allow them to go through? don't think so. Why don't they show the statistics/votes etc.

When I was 16 I auditioned for a professional musical got in but lied about my age I said I was in my 20's and they not only believed it but I signed the contract (no one battered an eye lid) and was in the show for over 12mths. I was still at school and they didn't even check my birth certificate or check with the education department. I travelled with the show to Melbourne as well and still no questions. All I can say hint hint I was a cute meowwww. I cannot reveal my age now jus incase fellow performers who know me personally will work out how old I really am.

JB wrote:
>
> Do you think performers over the age of 28year olds should
> apply?.
>
> Did you see the 40's something chap on a current affair show
> not so long ago who's taking Grundy's (I think) to the courts
> for discrimination.
>
> All I can say is GO FOR IT. There are plenty of talented
> performers out there who are in their late twenties, thirties
> and forties, plus.
>
> When the reporter on the current affair started interviewing
> people on the street about their thoughts on the matter they
> simply replied anyone who wishes to apply should be given the
> chance. They even went on further to say age does not matter
> if your talented.
>
> I hope this guy wins in court. Hopefully the rules will
> change for 2005. Stay tuned for the results, I hope there is
> no hush money involved.
>
> Cheers
>
> Smiles
> JB



Damn, JB. If only you'd brought this to my attention before the deadline for Kerri's 'Storm The Stage' talent quest....I would have sued her and entered myself....I'd take on those whippersnapper highschool leavers for a crack at the $5000 and the Neighbours audition....


Cheers
Craig 35-something

Hi Craig

Well, I must say that as much as I agree with some of the statements , we were trying to fill a niche that existed within Australia for young people.

A huge number of really talented young people are too young to try out for the acting schools in Australia and yet really want to do some acting work . They can most certainly do lots of amateur/community theatre work and that is fantastic ( and you can see the benefit of those in the heats who are doing work already ) but how do the talented kids in this age group get seen by the casting agents in the East, hence the competition.

I have to say that after seeing a number of the heats so far in the last two weeks, although I knew that we had some fantastic talent in this state, I had no idea we had quite so much of it!

The last two qualifying heats are on this week , Saturday at Stirling theatre and Sunday afternoon at St. Norbert College, Xanten Centre.Check the website www.stormthestage.com for further details and the names of the competitors.


You see Craig, people over the age of about 18 or so can audition for the acting schools, but what is wrong with allowing the kids of 16 or 17 to shine as well?

As much as this story involved australian idol, our competition is hugely different, there are no phone calls, there is no 'image' that we are looking for and really the way to win this competition is to own the stage and impress everyone during your performance time. We have no hidden agenda.

Hope to see you there Craig. I would love to sit down quietly over a cup of hot bonox and remind ourselves of when we were that young!

Kerri

No Kerri, I really do think you're being quite unreasonable...Why should young people of today be given these wonderful opportunities to embark on such a fulfilling and creatively challenging career, when it's quite obvious that actors are supposed to suffer for their art?
When I was at school we had it tough. I mean, Neighbours and Home And Away didn't exist, for a start. And I thought Rotary Clubs were for people keen on lawn mowing. There was no prize money or national competitions in my day; I had to content myself with performing in amateur festivals in sordid places like Europe, Asia and America.

As you know, I've tried to have as little as I can to do with young people in the arts...after all, I was young and artistic once, and look where it got me! Tragic.
If I'd realised then that performing at a young age and choosing acting as a lifelong career would find me contributing to the shameless goings on of this community arts website, I would never have encouraged it.

> Hope to see you there Craig. I would love to sit down quietly
> over a cup of hot bonox and remind ourselves of when we were
> that young!
>

What are you insinuating? I'm still a spring chicken, I am, I am !!



Glad to hear it's going well. Chookas to all.

Cheers,
Craig

Am I missing the point here or is the answer quite simple...

Surely as actors, we would understand why some roles aren't suitable for us. If a role demands a 35-40yo male to play a king or something, surely we'd cast someone in that age and of that gender?

I'm sure theres plenty of women or young people who could put on some wig and latex and play a 40year old king very easily but its just not going to happen.

The same applies to Australian Idol - as it was said before - Australian Idol is aimed at the market for teenagers. Just look at the sponsorship and ads that they attach the competition to. Its aimed at the 18-25 age group.


> Did you see the 40's something chap on a current affair show
> not so long ago who's taking Grundy's (I think) to the courts
> for discrimination.

You can't wave the discrimination flag simply because they've limited the age group. Its like saying that I should be allowed to be a doctor because I genuinely want to help people even though I haven't been trained.

You have to understand the marketing strategies of television.


Crispy.

Crispian wrote:
>
> You can't wave the discrimination flag simply because they've
> limited the age group. Its like saying that I should be
> allowed to be a doctor because I genuinely want to help
> people even though I haven't been trained.

So the opportunity should be denied them outright? Are there no options available to someone with genuine ability?

Suppose you desperately want to be a doctor, but no univeristy wants to train you because they are being financially supported by a benefactor or sponsor (like McDonalds) who only wants young and sexy doctors asking them to turn their heads and cough.

If you think I'm exaggerating, think again. The way government is going (and has been going for some time - and globally at that), every facet of society is being forced to rationalise and find alternate means of financial support. When our own film industry is forced to offer the "Herald-Sun Best Actor Award", and the "KFC Best Cinematography Award"; when even the prestigious BAFTA Awards are forced into similar corporate toadying; when theatre and opera companies are being sponsored by corporations to the extent that publicity material is churned out declaring that "Volvo presents Bell Shakespeare", or "British Airways presents Opera Australia", etc.; we know that the playing field has changed.

I'm not suggesting that this is inherently corrupt or reeking of blatant corporate interference, but when we've come this far, how much of a push would it need?

> You have to understand the marketing strategies of television.

And WADR Crispian, you need to understand that your precious "marketing strategies" can and do have a very real impact on the careers and livelihoods of some very comptetent professionals who are simply trying to make a mark in an already incredibly competitive business.


:o)


dm.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Just to throw a bit of a curly thought in here, could we perhaps see a corporate sponsorship of a Logan's Run type lifestyle program, if that isn't an oxymoron? Wow, now there's an idea for a new reality TV program and given the voyeuristic bent of society it should rate through the roof. (Should that idea have one of these ©).

This is driving at what would seem to be, as much as anyone wants to disagree, the alleged or otherwise fact that the world is discarding its, how shall I put it, more mature personnel from the workplace and images in general (has it ever embraced the elderly except for those cultures which perpetuate the extended family?).

We are constantly bombarded with the images of youth and younger looking. Have you ever seen any of those advertorial programs in the wee hours (and not so wee, such as GMA) with the likes of Victoria Principal saying if you use this product you too can look so many years younger?

Now what does this have to with theatre given that this is a theatrical website. How about Logan’s Run – the stage play?

Any ideas chaps and chapessess?

Kerri

What about people just over 20? I know you have to draw the line somewhere - but what about another comp or having a youth section and an open age section?

There aren't that many places in WA that you can just get up and perform and me critiqued. Perhaps even an open mic / stage type night?

Tina

p.s. I agree with meena's statement on the other board. You seem to get defensive over small things! Calm, darling - you've done a great job.

Hi Tina

I agree that it would be fantastic to have an open age group for the competition. I am not sure that "Home and Away" and "Neighbours" would think it was necessary , because they already see the people who come out of the acting schools at their auditions etc, but yes it would be great.

I promise to discuss this matter when we look at the running of the competition next year. There will be many changes for next year and I hope that we can do something for the age group that you mention.

In response to me being defensive, I probably am, but I think I am just defending the reputation of the people who have worked so very hard to get this up and running. It has been a steep learning curve for a very small group of people.

I really hope that community theatre will get behind the Grand Final of this competition and come and see these guys at the Burswood on November 2nd. Tickets are only $20 and you have the chance to see 20 of Perth's best young talent.

Kerri