“Get a better audience.”

You may be familiar with the phrase seen on Channel 5’s hilarious advertisements starring the pet pug and cockatoo, being put through their owners’ singing, to entice people into joining Singapore Idol.

Over the weekend, with the uproar over Susan Boyle’s not winning Britain’s Got Talent dying down, the hype over Singapore Idol is being revived again. After 3 long years of Idol absence, MediaCorp’s Channel 5 is bringing the talent/popularity show back to screens on National Day.

The official announcement was made on June 5, 2009, at the Singapore Idol press conference held at the Picturehouse, The Cathay. Local radio deejay, Jean Danker, clad in a tight, purple dress hosted the event. One by one, she introduced the producers, the judges and hosts.

The panel of judges comprises of faces familiar from the previous 2 seasons: singer-songwriter -fashionista Dick Lee, director of Hype Records Ken Lim, and senior vice-president of corporate communications & marketing for MediaCorp, Florence Lian. Singer Jacinta Abisheganaden, who drew attention for her less than understandable comments, isn’t going to be judging this time.

On the dynamics between the 3 judges, Dick Lee says, “Three of us are good, old friends. We’re going to just be us and have fun. We want to bring that little bit out.”

Wondering how differently the comments for and criticisms of contestants will be expressed? Dick Lee adds, “I’m not going to be a nice guy anymore. The last two seasons I still have to have people like me after the show, but now I don’t care.”

Ken Lim, who has been called Singapore’s version of Simon Cowell for his spare-no-feelings barbs and dour expression, says, “I don’t know, maybe [I’ll] just try to dress a little better.”

To some people’s disappointment, funnyman Gurmit Singh will also return as host this season, quelling rumours and speculation of a new host.

However, a new member has been added to the Idol family, the one of ‘big brother’ to the contestants. He’s Hady Mirza, winner of Singapore Idol Season 2, and Singapore’s very own Asian Idol.

The big brother’s role is to offer advice and encouragement to the host. The producers thought this was a good idea because Hady had gone through what the contestants will be going through, and is able to relate to them.

Hady says, “This is one way for me to give back to whoever is going to proceed to the top 12… and I’m just here to help the contestants along in any way I can.”

Although it seems like the Idol family has minimal changes, there are several new features to the show.

As the Idol franchise belongs to FremantleMedia Enterprises, naturally Singapore Idol will adopt the new elements of the recently concluded season of American Idol that saw Kris Allen crowned.

The new features are:

•    The judges’ veto- where the judges are allowed to ‘save’ contestants up till the top 5 remaining contestants.

•    The salvation song- where 2 contestants with the lowest votes battle it out.

•    Also, contestants will be allowed to bring music instruments on stage during performances.

•    Universal Music Group is coming on board as the official recording label of this season and will sign on the winner of this year’s Idol.

Rahmad, one of the producers of Singapore Idol says, “We want to add new elements to enhance reality TV. But we don’t want to give away too much, there will be many twists and turns and surprises along the way.”

On top of these, the Idol team is looking for new types of contestants this season. They are very heartened by the thousands of applicants. Due to the overwhelming response, the first round of auditions had to be extended a day. They have also noticed that younger people aged 16 to 18 are taking part this year, as compared to previous seasons where the contestants were aged 20 onwards.

Rahmad adds, “Music has evolved, music has changed, and these are the people that we want to tap on.”

Ken Lim also adds that, “Physical appearance is affecting, but what we’re looking for is not decent looking, but different looking.”

Check back for UrbanWire’s profile on Hady Mirza, coming soon.