Canadian Idol is a Canadian reality television competition show which aired on CTV, based on the British show Pop Idol. The show was a competition to find the most talented young singer in Canada, and was hosted by Ben Mulroney. Jon Dore was the "roving reporter" for the first three seasons (appearing in comedy skits throughout the show). Elena Juatco (a season 2 contestant) assumed the role for season four, Dave Kerr had the role in season five and Jully Black in season six.
The show began with a cross-Canada tour in which singers audition in front of four judges: Jake Gold of Toronto, Sass Jordan of Montreal, Quebec, Zack Werner of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Farley Flex of Ajax, Ontario. Eventually the performers were narrowed down to 10 finalists (11 in season one due to a near-tie), with each competitor performing live. Viewers had two hours following the broadcast of the show to phone in their votes for their favourite competitor. On the following night's episode (live again), the competitor with the fewest votes was sent home. After the final two perform, viewers had more than two hours to vote. The next day (five days later in season 4; two days later in season 6), the competitor with the most votes was declared the winner. The show was taped at the John Bassett Theatre in Toronto, Ontario.
In December 2008, CTV announced that Canadian Idol would be "suspended", not airing in the 2009 season due to "the current economic climate". At that time, the network stated that it expected the show would return in 2010. However, CTV has not made any further announcement regarding the series since that time, and the series is now generally considered to have been cancelled. (refers to "... the now-defunct Canadian Idol ...") Following the announcement of the show's suspension, Joel Rubinoff, television critic for the Waterloo Region Record, strongly criticized the show's direction, declaring that it had "bottomed out creatively in every possible way" and "outlived its usefulness".
Final results
In its six seasons, the winners and runners-up were: Year Winner Runner-up 2003 Ryan Malcolm Gary Beals 2004 Kalan Porter Theresa Sokyrka 2005 Melissa O'Neil Rex Goudie 2006 Eva Avila Craig Sharpe 2007 Brian Melo Jaydee Bixby 2008 Theo Tams Mitch MacDonald
Season 1
In the first season, which debuted on June 9, 2003, Ryan Malcolm of Kingston, Ontario won, with Gary Beals of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia coming in second. Malcolm released his debut album entitled "Home" in October 2003, which included his first single from Canadian Idol: "Something More". In fact, eight members of the Season One Top 11 have now released their own solo albums, including Gary Beals, Billy Klippert, Audrey De Montigny, Jenny Gear, Toya Alexis, Mikey Bustos, and Karen Lee Batten.
Auditions were held in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Winnipeg, Halifax, and St. John's.
Date Theme Bottom FourAugust 5Canadian HitsRichie WilcoxCandida ClauseriKaren-Lee BattenToya AlexisBottom ThreeAugust 12MotownMikey BustosTyler HamiltonBilly KlippertAugust 19Summertime HitsToya Alexis (2)Audrey De MontignyGary BealsBottom TwoAugust 26Elton JohnJenny GearRyan MalcolmSeptember 2Love SongsAudrey de Montigny (2)Gary Beals (2)September 9Judges' ChoiceBilly Klippert (2)September 16Final TwoGary Beals (3)Ryan Malcolm (1)
Canadian Idol Canadian Idol Finalists(with dates of elimination) Season 1 (2003) Ryan Malcolm Winner Gary Beals September 16 Billy Klippert September 9 Audrey de Montigny September 2 Jenny Gear August 26 Toya Alexis August 19 Tyler Hamilton August 12 Mikey Bustos August 12 Karen-Lee Batten August 5 Candida Clauseri August 5 Richie Wilcox August 5 Season 2 (2004) Kalan Porter Winner Theresa Sokyrka September 16 Jacob Hoggard September 9 Jason Greeley September 2 Shane Wiebe August 26 Elena Juatco August 19 Kaleb Simmonds August 12 Joshua Seller August 5 Manoah Hartmann July 29 Brandy Callahan July 22 Season 3 (2005) Melissa O'Neil Winner Rex Goudie September 14 Aaron Walpole September 7 Suzi Rawn August 31 Casey LeBlanc August 24 Josh Palmer August 17 Daryl Brunt August 10 Amber Fleury August 3 Ashley Leitao July 27 Emily Vinette July 20 Season 4 (2006) Eva Avila Winner Craig Sharpe September 17 Tyler Lewis September 5 Chad Doucette August 29 Steffi DiDomenicantonio August 22 Ashley Coulter August 15 Rob James August 8 Brandon Jones August 1 Sarah Loverock July 25 Kati Durst July 18 Season 5 (2007) Brian Melo Winner Jaydee Bixby September 11 Carly Rae Jepsen September 4 Dwight d'Eon August 28 Matt Rapley August 21 Tara Oram August 14 Greg Neufeld August 7 Martha Joy July 31 Khalila Glanville July 24 Mila Miller July 17 Season 6 (2008) Theo Tams Winner Mitch MacDonald September 10 Drew Wright September 2 Earl Stevenson August 26 Mookie Morris August 19 Amberly Thiessen August 12 Mark Day August 5 Sebastian Pigott July 29 Katherine St-Laurent July 22 Adam Castelli July 15
Season 2
The second season of Canadian Idol debuted on June 1, 2004, and became the most-watched show in Canada, drawing in over 3 million viewers each week.
Auditions were held in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, Regina, and St. John's. The season provided an Idol franchise first when the final six contestants played their own instruments during a group performance of the Gordon Lightfoot classic "Canadian Railroad Trilogy".
Kalan Porter of Medicine Hat, Alberta won the series, and Theresa Sokyrka of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was the runner-up. In November 2004, merely two months after the competition, Porter released his debut album entitled 219 Days – the number of days spanning from his first audition to the release of his CD. It was certified double platinum within two months and he received three Juno nominations. Porter also won Fan Favourite Canadian Artist at the MuchMusic Video Awards. Other competitors from Season Two's Top 10 who have released albums include: Sokyrka, Jacob Hoggard (four albums with his band Hedley), Jason Greeley, Shane Wiebe, and Joshua Seller. Porter is the first CI winner to have a second CD released by Sony BMG (Wake Up Living launched August 28, 2007). Jacob Hoggard released his second album (Universal) with his band, Hedley; the album's first single, "She's So Sorry", was released to radio August 20, 2007.
Date Theme Bottom ThreeJuly 22Canadian HitsBrandy CallahanManoah HartmannJoshua SellerJuly 29British InvasionManoah Hartmann (2)Shane WiebeKaleb SimmondsAugust 5Rock & RollJoshua Seller (2)Shane Wiebe (2)Elena JuatcoAugust 12Lionel RichieKaleb Simmonds (2)Elena Juatco (2)Shane Wiebe (3)August 19Gordon LightfootElena Juatco (3)Jacob HoggardShane Wiebe (4)Bottom TwoAugust 26Summertime HitsShane Wiebe (5)Jason GreeleySeptember 2StandardsJason Greeley (2)Theresa SokyrkaSeptember 9Judges' ChoiceJacob Hoggard (2)September 16Final TwoTheresa Sokyrka (2)Kalan Porter
Season 3
In December 2004, CTV announced that they would be producing a third season of Canadian Idol in 2005. Auditions began in February and finished in April 2005 and the show debuted May 30, just days after the conclusion of the fourth season of American Idol but did not follow suit yet on the new change to that show.
Auditions were held in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Winnipeg, London, Sudbury, Saskatoon, St. John's, Moncton, Charlottetown, Sydney, and Whitehorse.
This season introduced a twist in the Wildcard semi-final round. On the group 4 results show, after the results were revealed, 11 previous competitors were brought out. (CTV had advertised the broadcast as having 12 competitors, but one dropped out at the last minute.) The judges expressed how they felt about each competitor, and each competitor had a chance to show why they should sing in the Wildcard, whether it be through song or a plea. Then, the public had a chance to vote which would decide which of the 11 competitors would sing in the Wildcard.
After the final, Melissa O'Neil of Calgary, Alberta was crowned the winner; with Rex Goudie of Burlington, Newfoundland and Labrador the runner-up. Melissa O'Neil, Rex Goudie, Aaron Walpole, and Suzi Rawn have released albums; while Casey LeBlanc, Ashley Leitao and Amber Fleury have released an album as a group called Braided. Josh Palmer is also working on an album release.
Date Theme Bottom ThreeJuly 19Canadian HitsEmily VinetteDaryl BruntMelissa O'NeilJuly 20Stevie WonderAshley LeitaoMelissa O'Neil (2)Josh PalmerAugust 3The 1980sAmber FleurySuzi RawnJosh Palmer (2)August 10Big BandDaryl Brunt (2)Aaron WalpoleCasey LeBlancAugust 17Classic rockJosh Palmer (3)Suzi Rawn (2)Rex GoudieBottom TwoAugust 24The Guess WhoCasey LeBlanc (2)Suzi Rawn (3)August 31Elvis PresleySuzi Rawn (4)September 7Barenaked LadiesAaron Walpole (2)September 14Final TwoRex Goudie (2)Melissa O'Neil (2)
Season 4
In January 2006, CTV announced their plans for a fourth season of Canadian Idol. An 11-week audition tour took place in February, March and April 2006. Auditions were held in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Kitchener-Waterloo, Halifax, Regina, St. John's, and Yellowknife. Season two competitor Elena Juatco joined the show as the roving reporter, while Jon Dore did not return for the fourth season. The season premiered on May 29, five days after the finale of American Idol Season 5. The season finale of Canadian Idol took place on Sunday, September 17, 2006. The finale, originally scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, was moved to help resolve a conflict with ABC's 'Dancing with the Stars', which CTV also carried and which ABC announced would debut September 12. Eva Avila took the title in the closest final vote to date; CTV announced that 3.3% -- which amounted to 131,000 votes—separated her from Newfoundland's Craig Sharpe.
On Saturday, September 16, 2006, a day prior to the public announcement of the Idol results, Sony BMG Music Entertainment began offering Avila's version of the first single, Meant to Fly, for sale on the website EvaAvila.com. Although the page was subsequently blanked, the artwork for the single can currently be located within the image files of the webpage. This occurrence led to the creation of many rumours regarding the winner of the competition. Both Avila's and Sharpe's singles were made available for pre-order for the September 26, 2006 release date on Amazon.
As of 2009, Eva Avila ('Somewhere Else' and 'Give Me the Music'), Craig Sharpe ('I Am'), Chad Doucette ('Hit It'), Tyler Lewis ('I'm Coming Home'), and Brandon Jones ('All for You') had all launched debut CDs.
Date Theme Bottom ThreeJuly 17Canadian HitsKati DurstAshley Coulter (2)Steffi D (2)July 24Rolling StonesSarah LoverockAshley Coulter (3)Steffi D (3)July 31The 1980sBrandon JonesChad DoucetteEva AvilaBottom TwoAugust 7Classic RockRob JamesSteffi D (4)Bottom ThreeAugust 14UnpluggedAshley Coulter (4)Craig SharpeSteffi D (5)Bottom TwoAugust 21Country StandardsSteffi D (6)Eva Avila (2)August 28Judges' ChoiceChad Doucette (2)Tyler LewisSeptember 4StandardsTyler Lewis (2)September 11Final TwoCraig Sharpe (2)Eva Avila (2)
Season 5
In December 2006, CTV announced the plans for the fifth season of Canadian Idol. The audition tour began in Vancouver on February 3, and visited nine more cities across Canada in a 10-week trip. This year, the network announced that the auditioners can play along with their instrument in their audition. The network also indicated that Dave Kerr will replace Elena Juatco in the co-hosting role for Season Five. Season Five premiered on June 5, 2007. On July 11, 2007 Canadian Idol voters picked their top ten. On September 4, 2007 these were narrowed down to the final two, Jaydee Bixby and Brian Melo. On September 11, 2007, Brian Melo was voted the winner. Placing 3rd was Carly Rae Jepsen, globally the best selling Canadian Idol alum to-date.