Idol worship

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Reality show's 3rd season begins; Honolulu tryouts to air next week. Jon Orque • The Honolulu Advertiser 'American Idol' Premiere week 7 p.m. today, tomorrow and Wednesday Fox (KHON 2) Also: The show's regular time slot will be from 7 to 8 p.m. most Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Hawai'i will be very much in your face, but not until next week.

Take note:

• Randy Jackson has shed 100 pounds. (his current weight has not been divulged).
• Paula Abdul, the most popular judge, will sport a shorter coiffure.
• Ryan Seacrest, the host, has given up his bleached hair accents, if not his metrosexual looks. And, if he looks weary (though he's usually "up" and energetic), blame it on his unrelated "Idol" duties: He still does his radio show, now hosts his own syndicated talk show/infotainment hour, and has become the voice (replacing Casey Kasem) of radio's countdown show, "American Top 40."

Acerbic judge Simon Cowell hasn't changed much. He has readied a barrage of insults and putdowns (it's dirty work, but somebody has to do it). But Cowell is wearing a new hat as an author this season — with the release last year of "I Don't Mean To Be Rude, But ... " a backstage look at the "Idol" phenom and his take on fame.

Honolulu will be part of the reality show's third season, since auditions were done in the Islands in late September and early October. At least one candidate with Hawai'i ties, a senior at Maryknoll School, has created an early buzz that she may be headed for the finals even before she is formally named.

Her prospects may be measured by Cowell's and Abdul's comments to media at the Hawai'i finals; he said he had a gut feeling that this will be a girl's year; she singled out the Hawai'i contestant, without actually naming her, calling her "amazing."

Cowell was effusive, too: "I think we have found one of the best (voices) in the entire competition here."

So who's on first? Here's what to expect:

• Tonight's debut, which may include fleeting glimpses of Hawai'i, focuses on the New York auditions.
• Tomorrow's show zooms in on Atlanta.
• Wednesday's show will focus on Houston.
• On Jan. 27, Los Angeles and San Francisco coverage.
• On Jan. 28, Hawai'i finally basks in the limelight.

The final 32 contestants won't be named till Feb. 4. The weekly paring down process — eight per week — will start Feb. 10.

This in-between period has been a source of pride and anxiety for the faculty and student body at Maryknoll, where one of their own — the highly regarded songbird praised by "Idol" judges — is poised for stardom.

"It's not that easy to keep a secret — everyone asks," said Monica Kirst, 17, a Maryknoll senior and student senate vice president.

"We've always known she's a talented person — it was a matter of time before she got this exposure," said Brian Klein, 17, also a senior and president of the student senate.

"Idol" is now a franchise in more than 20 countries. With viewers voting or text-messaging their choices, the show has become a successful participatory event. "Idol" was the No. 1 show in May 2003, and wound up the No. 2 (Wednesdays) and No. 3 show (Tuesdays) of the TV season, with an average of 22 million viewers each week. The finale drew 38 million viewers, and during the weekly competition, 250 million votes were generated, with 24 million during last season's wind-up show.

Reno David, a part-time teacher at Mililani Waena Elementary School and a student at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, has the distinction of being the lone Islander to make the "Idol" cut for a second consecutive season. He flew to Los Angeles to audition there for the second season and survived callbacks but was eliminated when the final 32 were named earlier last year. David said that being a returnee has had a calming effect. "I feel I learned everything I needed to know last year, so the second time, there are no nerves," he said. "It feels like I know the people (staff and crew) and it's an honor to represent Hawai'i.

"I'm keeping my options open," he said. "I'd love to go beyond the top 32, and if not, I hope I can earn a wild-card slot."

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.

Maryknoll keeping its 'Idol' secret

Mum's the word at Maryknoll School, where a senior girl is poised to carry the Hawai'i banner in Fox's "American Idol."

"It's a big secret, and it's tough to keep the secret," said principal Betsey Gunderson.

"She's a real sweetheart, academically sound; she's not ho'okano (conceited) at all."

Gayle Brodie, choir director of the music ministry, said secrecy has heightened as "Idol" air dates near. "We are not to discuss or identify our beloved student and friend," said Brodie. "But I always tease her — she knew us 'when.' "

A Maryknoll girl was interviewed on local station KHON's preview to "Idol," but hasn't been named as the finalist, so the mystery lingers.

The 17-year-old senior participates in prayer services, masses and religious services, "and she is allowed to sing in church," said Brodie. "She got on the mike and asked everyone to support her — with silence."

Two campus leaders, who have not been regular "Idol" viewers in the past, say they'll watch the series this year.

"We've always known she's a talented person — it's a matter of time that she gets this recognition," said Brian Klein, 17, student senate president. "When people ask if we know, we smile and laugh, without divulging specific information. "

Monica Kirst, 17, student senate vice president, said "It's really exciting for one of our classmates to be out there and show the world what she has."