Post by Skip on Aug 9, 2004 10:43:07 GMT 10
ANDREW G & JAMES - THE IDOL EXTRA INTERVIEW
With Australian Idol 2 (and its Extra counterpart) soon to get to the business end of the competition, we took time out with our own dynamic duo, G & James, for a candid chat. Under the blinding light of our interrogation room, we quizzed them about the lessons they learnt from Idol 1, how they're coping with Idol 2 and their plans for a long-awaited duet together.
What’s it been like being back at [V] hosting whatUwant? The calm before the storm…?
Andrew: “I love Channel [V] - it is my home, my roots, I love it."
James: “It’s been unreal to be back.”
Andrew: “Live TV is my favourite place to be. [V] is my living room. I love working here.”
James: “Getting to chat to music fans, having live bands on show and just pissfarting around in general, has to be the greatest job in the world.”
Having experienced the whirlwind of Idol 1, how has it prepared you going into Idol 2? What did you do different this time around?
James: “Last, year, because it was a totally new show, the experience was pretty scary for me at first. Eventually I got the hang of it and it was a total blast, so I guess this time around I’m feeling heaps more relaxed about the whole thing, and will be able to have a whole lot more fun along the way.”
Andrew: “I had a broken hand so it kind of limited me during the audition process, as I was pretty off my face on pain killers most of the first few weeks. It was weird. The thing that is the hardest to get used to is how much stuff we shoot in comparison to the few seconds of stuff that goes to air.”
What was the greatest lesson Idol 1 taught you?
James: “Soooo many lessons. I learnt that fireworks and small children don’t mix. That you can use toothpaste to clear up lingering acne. That Alicia Keys has a lot to answer for.”
Andrew: “Never travel away from home without a pair of speakers and an iPod. That and most places will make you vegan food if you ask for it.”
James: “And I also learnt that you can burn the candle at both ends.”
Were you surprised about how emotional the show got - both being in the middle of it and on a national level?
Andrew: “I knew it would be involved but I wasn’t expecting to be crying with joy up there on stage when these people were singing their songs. It’s heavy in there.”
James: “I was totally surprised. So many people come up to us and say, “I was crying during the finale” or “I never watch these sort of shows, but I just fell in love with Guy/Cosima/Shannon etc…”. It became totally addictive for soooo many people who just found the contestants completely compelling and loved following their journey.”<br>
How did you find the audition process this time around?
Andrew: “It was fairly gruelling, they were constantly long days, and it just took it out of me something fierce. Eight weeks away from your friends and mate while working, washing undies in the sink etc, was full on.”
James: “It was absolutely massive. We had like 50,000 people turn up at 9 different cities and towns, all wanting to be the next Aussie idol.”
Andrew: “The singing was interesting too. Just rivers of mediocrity. I’d say 80% of people were great singers. But that means you and the one thousand people around you are all great singers. Very few were really great. Less were brilliant. But that’s the show!”
James: “We saw an enormous range of freaks and weirdos along the way, as well as some truly special talent as well. It’ll go down as one of the more mental experiences of my life.”
Most memorable stories from the auditions?
Andrew: “An adventure in Darwin involving beer and a late night sandwich. Post pub snacks can get you into trouble sometimes!”
James: “Every town was different. From hand feeding crocodiles in Darwin, to getting to kick a footy at colonial stadium in Melbourne, to learning to crack a whip in tamworth, it was all pretty unreal.”
Any early predictions for a winner?
Andrew: “Yes. Dicko will win once again. Do you know how many albums Guy and Shannon sold? BMG records was and will once again be the winner on the day. That and Australian music. Idol got people who’ve never bought an album to buy an album. People who’d never seen a concert went to one. It’s a great thing for Australian music.”
James: “I can’t say I’m afraid. You’ll just have to wait and see. Although I expect big things from the ladies this year. I reckon its all about girl power.”
How long before we see a ‘James & Andrew’ duet is recorded and released? If you did do one, what’d it be like?
Andrew: "It will be all power ballads, all the time."
James: “Hopefully by the end of the year. I know Andrew wants us to team up and do a cover of ‘When I see you smile’ by Bad English, but I really have my heart on doing a remake of Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warne’s classic ‘Up where we belong.’ It’s gold!! Gold I tells ya!”
Catch G & James on Idol Extra (Saturdays & Sundays 4pm) and at the helm of your favourite request show, whatUwant (Mon - Fri 4pm, Sat 4:30pm).
www.channelv.com.au/page.asp?partID=1055
With Australian Idol 2 (and its Extra counterpart) soon to get to the business end of the competition, we took time out with our own dynamic duo, G & James, for a candid chat. Under the blinding light of our interrogation room, we quizzed them about the lessons they learnt from Idol 1, how they're coping with Idol 2 and their plans for a long-awaited duet together.
What’s it been like being back at [V] hosting whatUwant? The calm before the storm…?
Andrew: “I love Channel [V] - it is my home, my roots, I love it."
James: “It’s been unreal to be back.”
Andrew: “Live TV is my favourite place to be. [V] is my living room. I love working here.”
James: “Getting to chat to music fans, having live bands on show and just pissfarting around in general, has to be the greatest job in the world.”
Having experienced the whirlwind of Idol 1, how has it prepared you going into Idol 2? What did you do different this time around?
James: “Last, year, because it was a totally new show, the experience was pretty scary for me at first. Eventually I got the hang of it and it was a total blast, so I guess this time around I’m feeling heaps more relaxed about the whole thing, and will be able to have a whole lot more fun along the way.”
Andrew: “I had a broken hand so it kind of limited me during the audition process, as I was pretty off my face on pain killers most of the first few weeks. It was weird. The thing that is the hardest to get used to is how much stuff we shoot in comparison to the few seconds of stuff that goes to air.”
What was the greatest lesson Idol 1 taught you?
James: “Soooo many lessons. I learnt that fireworks and small children don’t mix. That you can use toothpaste to clear up lingering acne. That Alicia Keys has a lot to answer for.”
Andrew: “Never travel away from home without a pair of speakers and an iPod. That and most places will make you vegan food if you ask for it.”
James: “And I also learnt that you can burn the candle at both ends.”
Were you surprised about how emotional the show got - both being in the middle of it and on a national level?
Andrew: “I knew it would be involved but I wasn’t expecting to be crying with joy up there on stage when these people were singing their songs. It’s heavy in there.”
James: “I was totally surprised. So many people come up to us and say, “I was crying during the finale” or “I never watch these sort of shows, but I just fell in love with Guy/Cosima/Shannon etc…”. It became totally addictive for soooo many people who just found the contestants completely compelling and loved following their journey.”<br>
How did you find the audition process this time around?
Andrew: “It was fairly gruelling, they were constantly long days, and it just took it out of me something fierce. Eight weeks away from your friends and mate while working, washing undies in the sink etc, was full on.”
James: “It was absolutely massive. We had like 50,000 people turn up at 9 different cities and towns, all wanting to be the next Aussie idol.”
Andrew: “The singing was interesting too. Just rivers of mediocrity. I’d say 80% of people were great singers. But that means you and the one thousand people around you are all great singers. Very few were really great. Less were brilliant. But that’s the show!”
James: “We saw an enormous range of freaks and weirdos along the way, as well as some truly special talent as well. It’ll go down as one of the more mental experiences of my life.”
Most memorable stories from the auditions?
Andrew: “An adventure in Darwin involving beer and a late night sandwich. Post pub snacks can get you into trouble sometimes!”
James: “Every town was different. From hand feeding crocodiles in Darwin, to getting to kick a footy at colonial stadium in Melbourne, to learning to crack a whip in tamworth, it was all pretty unreal.”
Any early predictions for a winner?
Andrew: “Yes. Dicko will win once again. Do you know how many albums Guy and Shannon sold? BMG records was and will once again be the winner on the day. That and Australian music. Idol got people who’ve never bought an album to buy an album. People who’d never seen a concert went to one. It’s a great thing for Australian music.”
James: “I can’t say I’m afraid. You’ll just have to wait and see. Although I expect big things from the ladies this year. I reckon its all about girl power.”
How long before we see a ‘James & Andrew’ duet is recorded and released? If you did do one, what’d it be like?
Andrew: "It will be all power ballads, all the time."
James: “Hopefully by the end of the year. I know Andrew wants us to team up and do a cover of ‘When I see you smile’ by Bad English, but I really have my heart on doing a remake of Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warne’s classic ‘Up where we belong.’ It’s gold!! Gold I tells ya!”
Catch G & James on Idol Extra (Saturdays & Sundays 4pm) and at the helm of your favourite request show, whatUwant (Mon - Fri 4pm, Sat 4:30pm).
www.channelv.com.au/page.asp?partID=1055