'Idol' loses star quality as viewers fall

Rosita Vai and Nik Carlston are the final two. The winner will be crowned on Monday.

As the country prepares to crown the next New Zealand Idol, ratings suggest Idol fever is in danger of becoming Idol fatigue.

Figures from AGB Nielsen Media Research show a drop in viewers at the end of the series. Last Sunday's episode attracted 504,000 fans - 244,000 fewer than the equivalent show last year. There were 84,000 fewer viewers on average for each show this year.

NZ Idol was a huge success last year, and the final attracted one quarter of the population.

This year's title will be claimed on Monday by either Rosita Vai or Nik Carlston.

But next year's show is not confirmed.

Programme spokeswoman Amy Todd said it was too early to say if there would be another competition but was not surprised at the slight fall in ratings.

"The public interest is slightly lower but we always expected that for a second series like this, so it has definitely met expectations.

"The fans are still really supportive of the idols and they are a fantastically talented bunch."

Idol judge Paul Ellis said the level of interest in the show was high, considering it was the second time.

"[There's] been less interest but it is the second season so it's not the new kid on the block and there are a lot of singing shows out there."

Mr Ellis said he would definitely do another if he was asked.

"The talent is still out there. We would never have heard of Rosita or Nik otherwise. I would do another one. It's a lot of fun."

But it was too hard to call a winner.

"It's going to be close. I'll be happy if either of them win. There's not really a loser, they both get so much out of it."

Mr Ellis said the victor starts recording an album next Wednesday and it would be a "snapshot" of their time on the programme. He will also manage the top ten finalists for three months.

Music commentator Dr Kirsten Zemke-White of Auckland University said that if the phenomenon kept grabbing audiences overseas, New Zealand would probably follow.

The decreased interest was probably not directly related to the show.

"I'm wondering if our tiredness of Idol is a tiredness of reality television."

But with American Idol heading into its fifth season, Australian Idol just ending its third and shows such as Rock Star: INXS and So You Wannabe A Popstar? appearing, the phenomenon is still rolling.

Yet winning Idol is no passport to stardom - inaugural winner Ben Lummis gradually disappeared from the music scene.

Amy Todd said the show did not provide an instant career but an opportunity to shine.

"Some people make a huge success of it. I think it is up to the individual."

AVERAGE AUDIENCE

2004: 632,000

2005: 548,000

NIK CARLSTON (MASTERTON)

* Polls favour to win

* Star sign: Scorpio

* Singing idol: Mariah Carey

* Quote: "I would love the opportunity to record an album."

ROSITA VAI (AUCKLAND)

* Polls show Rosita very close behind

* Star sign: Gemini

* Singing idols: Jill Scott, Beyonce, Alicia Keys.

* Quote: "I believe I'm destined for great things and this is an awesome opportunity to grasp hold of."