Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Now we can easily declare Star Academy Italy was the biggest flop of any reality or talent show in television history. Not only did the producers cut the series short and set the final already on 4th episode that was ment to go on air on Saturday October 22, 2011 - in the afternoon, mind you! But hey, there's some justice and courage left: the singers refused the fake final in common agreement and left the show so Star Academy is no longer. No final. No winner. Nothing. Way to go, all you singers! This blogger stands with you. Or you are treated like you should be and the show will go on, no matter what the viewing figures say. You can't just build up hopes and burn talents like that and treat them like trash. And think this was rumoured to be the Italian selection for Eurovision 2012....

Not all reality and talent shows gain audience and make stars. Star Academy in Italy promised a lot but will now fade away and close next week in a hurry. The third episode this week all of sudden turned into a semifinal and five singers were sent home. Next Thursday the final with ten singers and definitive closing of the show, also named as the saddest talent show in TV-history... Italian Eurovision fans are a bit worried this might put in danger the Italian Eurovision as well as its also on RaiDue channel and this flop might make the bosses think music contest just isn't the way to go after all....

Mietta is one of the chosen mentors in Italian Star Academy. She won Sanremo 1989 newcomers and has since been active in Italian music business as a singer and she is known to give a hand for new young songwriters by recording their songs. And no need to mention she is one of my favourite singers! She is joined by another Sanremo newcomers winner Syria ( 1996 ), Sanremo winner Ron of the same year and Gianluca Grignani who also has 20+ years of experience as a recording artists and teenage heartthrob. The jurors of the show are legendary singer Ornella Vanoni , one of the best show girls around Lorella Cuccarini and Nicola Savino who's a radio and Tv personality as well as imitator. And as the rumour and speculation is Star Academy might provide the possible Italian entrant for the Eurovision 2012...  The other rumour is Mietta was destined for Eurovision 1990 but as RAI was pulling it till the last minute she had to turn down the offer as her career was taking off big time in...

Last year the hope that Italy would come back to Eurovision took fire when it was announced the winner of X Factor would "go to a big international contest". Well, we know now it didn't quite happen that way, even if Nathalie did get to Sanremo where eventually the entrant was chosen giving us Raphael Gualazzi's Madness of love and very surprising 2nd place for Italy in Germany. Some comeback, ha? Now the rules for Star Academy have been revealed. Seems pretty much the same as it has been in France, me thinks. Sixteen hopefuls will be selected and though various eliminations where they sing alone, in groups, duets and with famous artists the winner will be found. And here's where it gets interesting. The rules say: "The winner will get besides a record deal and a possibility to participate in an important music contest on Rai." Usually Sanremo is mentioned by its name, being an institution so what other important music contests RAI is broadcasting? Eu...