The fourth season of Australian Idol began on 6 August 2006 and concluded on 26 November.

Overview

Format changes

Changes for the fourth season of Australian Idol included the cancellation of "Inside Idol", "streamlined" semi-finals (replaced with a variant of the 12 females, 12 males format popularised by American Idol), and the contestants were able to bring instruments with them on stage for some of the final shows. The fourth season's television promos promised a change in the viewers' role in the show, which was revealed to be an SMS service called 199-JUDGE which allows viewers to SMS their opinions on the judges' reactions.

Ratings

The show opened with average ratings (1.4 million) that were on the whole up from the previous year's ratings. The semi-final shows averaged 1.5 million viewers per night; the ratings remained consistent until the Top 8 show, which averaged 1.89 million viewers, much higher than any of the Top 12 shows the previous year, making it the most watched show on Australian television for that week. The Top 7 Show, which was "acoustic night", was watched by 1.92 million and the final by over 2.1 million people, with the audience peaking at 10.13pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time) attracting 2.4 million viewers.^[1]

Auditions

The auditions for the fourth season of Australian Idol started in March 2006 in Mount Isa, Queensland, and concluded on 4 June 2006 in Sydney. Auditions were held in thirteen towns and cities across Australia: Adelaide, Albury-Wodonga, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broken Hill, Byron Bay, Hobart, Melbourne, Mount Isa, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, and Townsville. Many of the audition sites had a much smaller population than previous seasons' sites, and producers declared that they wanted to "unearth" rural talent in 2006.^[2] The auditions identified 124 hopefuls who then participated in a culling process in Sydney. After group performances and a solo performance from each contestant, the judges cut down the number of contestants to 24. For the first time, contestants were told face-to-face and usually by themselves whether they had made it through to the semi-finals (in contrast to previous years when contestants were divided into groups of three, two of whom got through).

The fourth season's broadcasts began on Sunday 6 August 2006 with the broadcast of four audition shows and two shows for the Sydney round.

Semi-finals

The semi-final process consisted of two male groups and two female groups of six contestants over four days, who performed in front of a live audience for the first time (this being the first season in which the semi-finals included a live audience). The semi-finals began on Sunday 27 August 2006 and ran daily until the results show on Thursday 31 August 2006. Two contestants were selected by audience vote each show. Eight contestants were then selected by the judges for another semi-finals show the following week D.ring the following results show, each judge selected a favorite wildcard contestant, who joined a single wildcard contestant selected by audience vote and the previously selected eight contestants to make up the Top 12.

Top 24 boys

Top 24 girls

Wildcards

Advancing to the top 12: Ricky Muscat, Guy Mutton, Klancie Keough and Chris Murphy

Weekly Song Themes

* Shows in which the contestants brought instruments onto the stage with them.

The Top 12 contestants

Damien Leith

Damien Leith (born 18 January 1976) was the winner for 2006. Originally from Dublin, Ireland and raised in County Kildare, he moved to Sydney, prior to Idol. He and his Australian born wife, Eileen, have two sons. Leith scored four of Mark Holden's Touchdowns over the course of the series and was the only contestant in the show's history to score two in one night when he scored one for each of his top 4 performances.

Audition: "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice

Theatre Week (Round 3): "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen

Top 24: "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker

Top 12: "With or Without You" by U2

Top 11: "Creep" by Radiohead

Top 10: "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks

Top 9: "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" by Elton John

Top 8: "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang

Top 7: "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak TOUCHDOWN

Up Close & Personal: "Sky" (own composition)

Top 6: "High and Dry" by Radiohead and Jamie Cullum

Top 5: "Message to My Girl" by Split Enz Bottom 3

Top 4: "Crying" by Roy OrbisonTOUCHDOWN, "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen TOUCHDOWN

Top 3: "Nessun Dorma" by Giacomo Puccini, "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers TOUCHDOWN

Top 2: "Never Meant to Fail" by Alex Lloyd, "Waiting on an Angel" by Ben Harper, "Night of My Life" (winner's single)

Jessica Mauboy

Jessica Mauboy (born 4 August 1989) was the runner-up for 2006. Hailing from Darwin, Northern Territory, a high school student, she auditioned in Alice Springs. Mauboy received the first Touchdown of the year from Mark Holden for her performance of "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera during the Top 10-week. She received a second Touchdown during the Top 5-week for her performance of "Words" by The Bee Gees.

Audition: "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston

Theatre Week (Round 3): "Impossible" by Christina Aguilera

Top 24: "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston

Top 12: "Stickwitu" by The Pussycat Dolls

Top 11: "Walk Away" by Kelly Clarkson

Top 10: "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera TOUCHDOWN

Top 9: "Another Day in Paradise" by Phil Collins Bottom 3

Top 8: "On the Radio" by Donna Summer

Top 7: "Have You Ever?" by Brandy

Up Close & Personal: "What the World Needs Now" by Burt Bacharach & Hal David

Top 6: "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé Knowles

Top 5: "Words" by The Bee Gees TOUCHDOWN

Top 4: "Butterfly" by Mariah Carey, "Karma" by Alicia Keys

Top 3: "When You Believe" by Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston, "To Sir, with Love" by Lulu

Top 2: "Impossible" by Christina Aguilera, "Together Again" by Janet Jackson, "Night of My Life" (winner's single)

Dean Geyer

Dean Geyer (born 20 March 1986) finished in third place. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Geyer auditioned successfully in Melbourne.

Audition: "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn

Top 24: "If You Could Only See" by Tonic

Top 12: "For You I Will" by Teddy Geiger

Top 11: "Shimmer" by Fuel

Top 10: "Iris" by Goo Goo Dolls Bottom 2

Top 9: "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi

Top 8: "Turn the Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson

Top 7: "On the Way Down" by Ryan Cabrera TOUCHDOWN

Up Close & Personal: "Change" (own composition)

Top 6: "Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett Bottom 2

Top 5: "Every Time You Cry" by John Farnham & Human Nature Bottom 2

Top 4: "Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot, "Saving Me" by Nickelback Bottom 2

Top 3: "Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer, "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain TOUCHDOWN Eliminated

Chris Murphy

Chris Murphy (born 25 March 1976) finished in fourth place. Auditioning in his hometown of Perth, Western Australia, Murphy, like his younger brother, Courtney Murphy (from Season 2), was unanimously invited through to the theatre rounds.

Audition: "She Talks to Angels" by The Black Crowes

Top 24: "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen

Wildcard: "Holy Grail' by Hunters & Collectors

Top 12: "Wish You Well" by Bernard Fanning

Top 11: "Is It Just Me?" by The Darkness

Top 10: "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins

Top 9: "Life in the Fast Lane" by The Eagles

Top 8: "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry Bottom 2

Top 7: "No More Lonely Nights" by Paul McCartney

Up Close & Personal: "Diamond Days" (own composition)

Top 6: "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC

Top 5: "Evie" by Stevie Wright TOUCHDOWN

Top 4: "Something Beautiful" by Robbie Williams, "Mean to Me" by Crowded House Eliminated

Ricky Muscat

Ricky Dean Muscat (born 19 October 1983 in Darwin), from Werribee, Melbourne, Australia, placed fifth. Of Maltese descent, Muscat lives with his mother, and works at a chemical factory. From age 9, he would often accompany his father, a drummer, to the local pub where he would sing '60s hits for the locals. Muscat sangShai's "If I Ever Fall in Love" at the Melbourne auditions, winning the judges over to make the Top 124 in Sydney. Following a controversial falling out on day two of the theatre round with trio member Jorge Bec, Muscat gained a place in the Top 24. During the first semi final round, he did not accrue enough votes to advance but was later chosen by the judges as a wildcard.

Audition: "If I Ever Fall in Love" by Shai

Top 24: "So Sick" by Ne-Yo

Wildcard: "Caught Up" by Usher

Top 12: "Walking Away" by Craig David

Top 11: "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand Bottom 2

Top 10: "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" by Chicago

Top 9: "Down Under" by Men at Work

Top 8: "Get Down on It" by Kool & the Gang Bottom 3

Top 7: "Feel" by Robbie Williams Bottom 3

Up Close & Personal: "Off the Wall" by Michael Jackson

Top 6: "I Saw Her Standing There" by The Beatles Bottom 3

Top 5: "To Love Somebody" by The Bee Gees

Lisa Mitchell

Lisa Mitchell (born 22 March 1990 in Canterbury, England), came in sixth place. Originating from Albury, New South Wales, Miller immediately wowed the judges with her unique voice and talent.

Audition: "Collide" by Howie Day, "See it in Your Eyes" (own composition)

Top 24: "Diamonds On the Inside" by Ben Harper

Top 12: "Fall at Your Feet" by Crowded House

Top 11: "Dancing with Myself" by Billy Idol

Top 10: "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton

Top 9: "The Joker" by Steve Miller Band Bottom 2

Top 8: "Heart of Glass" by Blondie

Top 7: "See You Soon" by Coldplay Bottom 2

Up Close & Personal: "Too Far Gone" (own composition)

Top 6: "Revolution" by The Veronicas Eliminated

Bobby Flynn

Bobby Flynn (born 22 January 1981 in Brisbane, Queensland), finished seventh.

Audition: "The Boy Had Trouble" (own composition)

Theatre Week (Round 3): "Beautiful Day" by U2

Top 24: "Under the Milky Way" by The Church

Top 12: "When the War Is Over" by Cold Chisel

Top 11: "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon

Top 10: "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" by Christopher Cross

Top 9: "Under Pressure" by Queen & David Bowie

Top 8: "Super Freak" by Rick James TOUCHDOWN

Top 7: "Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac Eliminated

Up Close & Personal: "The Boy Had Trouble" (own composition)

Lavina Williams

Lavina Rose Williams (born 13 June 1978) finished eighth in the contest. She is of Samoan descent and the older sister to Season 3 runner-up Emily Williams. In high school, she became a member of the New Zealand R&B girl group, Ma-V-Elle with hits that charted successfully in New Zealand. As a professional stage performer, Williams played the role of Shenzi in The Lion King from 2004 to 2006.^{[citation needed]}

In February 2007, Williams took over Ricki-Lee's spot in Young Divas temporarily while Coulter went overseas to record her second studio album. In 2009, Williams featured on her brother, J.Williams single, "Stand With You" charting successfully well in New Zealand.^{[citation needed]}

Top 24: "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin

Top 12: "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys Bottom 2

Top 11: "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence

Top 10: "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston Bottom 3

Top 9: "Too Much Heaven" by The Bee Gees

Top 8: "Best of My Love" by The Emotions Eliminated

Guy "Mutto" Mutton

Guy Mutton (born 17 October 1976) nicknamed "Mutto", finished in ninth place. A rock enthusiast, Mutton was teaching but with his bandSoulframe rising in popularity and gaining national recognition, he was encouraged to focus on music.

Audition: "All I Want Is You" by U2

Top 24: "Meant to Live" by Switchfoot

Wildcard: "Black Fingernails, Red Wine" by Eskimo Joe

Top 12: "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2

Top 11: "Clocks" by Coldplay Bottom 3

Top 10: "The Reason" by Hoobastank

Top 9: "Dream On" by Aerosmith Eliminated

Klancie Keough

Klancie Keough (born in 1982 in Mount Isa, Queensland,), placed tenth. At the Mount Isa auditions, Keough was the first successful contestant into the Top 124 in Sydney, and later the top 24. She did not initially make the top twelve, but returned for the wildcard show and was chosen by the public vote.

Keough is a farm hand and jillaroo on her sister's farm. Before auditioning for Idol, she completed senior studies at The Cathedral School in Townsville and studied Commerce at The University of Queensland in Brisbane. After working in finance, she returned to work as a governess on her sister's property.^{[citation needed]} In December 2006, Keough was signed by the man behind Keith Urban's success, Greg Shaw, to a management deal.^{[citation needed]}

Audition: "Always on My Mind" by Elvis Presley / Willie Nelson

Top 24: "Not Ready to Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks

Wildcard: "Redneck Woman" by Gretchen Wilson

Top 12: "Jolene" by Dolly Parton

Top 11: "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" by The Georgia Satellites

Top 10: "(If You're Not in It for Love) I'm Outta Here!" by Shania Twain Eliminated

Reigan Derry

Reigan Elisse Derry (born 19 September 1988) finished in eleventh place. Born in Maida Vale, Western Australia, Derry attended Perth Modern School on a vocal scholarship. Prior to Idol, she was a member of a duo called Djreamz with Justin Low. Her eclectic musical tastes include jazz and drum and bass, and she is an enthusiast of music from the 1960s. It has been perceived^{[by whom?]} that her elimination on 18 September was the result of a too obscure song choice.^{[citation needed]}

Audition: "I Know You by Heart" by Eva Cassidy, "Life Ain't Easy" by Cleopatra

Top 24: "I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair)" by Sandi Thom

Top 12: "Breathe in Now" by George Bottom 3

Top 11: "Themata" by Karnivool Eliminated

Joseph Gatehau

Joseph Gatehau (born 30 March 1988 in New South Wales), finished in twelfth place. Of Tongan and New Caledonian descent, he is the oldest of seven children. From the age of 8, Gatehau has played acoustic guitar and sung, but as the family was not able to afford formal music lessons until he was 14, he is essentially self-taught.

Gatehau later^[when?] released an album called "Move On" made with Donald Tauvao aka Boy Shy from The X Factor winning band Random" in 2005. He was also a contestant on The X Factor in a group called Three Wishez.^{[citation needed]}

Audition: "Pretty Girl" (own composition)

Top 24: "Let Me Love You" by Mario

Top 12: "Right Here Waiting" by Richard Marx Eliminated

Grand final

The Australian Idol Grand Final was held on 26 November at the Sydney Opera House. The show included performances by Shannon Noll, Anthony Callea, Marcia Hines, Deni Hines, Guy Sebastian, Young Divas and Australian Idol 2006 finalists. Damien Leith was voted the winner, with Jessica Mauboy the runner-up. Leith's first single "Night of My Life" was released soon thereafter.

Elimination chart

Idol Backstage

Origin and production

In 2006, Fremantle Australia's digital media division launched Idol Backstage, a companion show to Australian Idol distributed by Telstra and promoted in clips on the main show. It followed the pranks, gags and interviews of host Josh Zepps as he roamed behind the scenes of the Australian Idol set while the show went to air. Idol Backstage marked a clear break in style from the rest of the Idol franchise, appealing to a young, tech-savvy audience.^[3] The clips were edited overnight each Sunday and Monday into roughly one commercial half-hour per week (22–24 minutes) over four episodes. There were 54 episodes in total, with additional content available on mobile phones and on BigPond's Idol Backstage Online website.^{[citation needed]}

Reaction

Idol Backstage was a popular success, with viewer numbers climbing strongly week-on-week and total Idol web video downloads reaching a record 2.5 million throughout the season. Traffic to the Idol website was up 40% on the previous year with more than 26 million page impressions, and Australian Idol became the most popular television program website in the country.^[4]