When will Idol overload happen?

FIVE FOR FIGHTING

She probably didn't know it at the time, but when season 3 winner Fantasia belted ''Have you ever reached a rainbow's end?'' this summer, she was foreshadowing the careers of some of her pals on American Idol. Over the next six weeks, the show's muscle — and the public's desire for syrupy ballads — will be tested when five former winners and runners-up release new albums. They face not only each other but an unusually strong fall slate that includes Eminem, Good Charlotte, U2, Destiny's Child, Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, and Ashanti. The plan to unleash five albums in such a short period is risky: It could overexpose a franchise that still has enormous appeal (Fox's Idol finished last season as TV's No. 1 program) and hurt BMG, the conglomerate behind all the entries. As for the artists? Let's just say a slow start could ruin a career in less time than it takes Ryan Seacrest to do his hair.

To date, the public has proved its Idol worship only goes so far: About a third of the contestants who've attempted solo albums have generated hits. On the high end, season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken's Measure of a Mansold 2.6 million copies, while bombs included season 1 runner-up Justin Guarini's self-titled entry, which enticed just 142,000 buyers and assured his place in TV history as a perma-punchline. BMG North America CEO Clive Davis — who oversaw all five upcoming albums — is convinced that postshow success comes only by de-Idolizing contestants the minute they enter the recording studio. ''There's a certain song that all of America loves when that confetti comes down, but it really has no relevance to their recording career,'' he says. ''Once you get away from that single, you're dealing with an original recording artist. I'm not making American Idol albums.''

Twenty-eight million fans might not appreciate Davis' disdain, but the singers' new offerings reflect his approach. As if to prove his point, Aiken refused to speak with EW — a sign, perhaps, that the wildly popular 25-year-old is tired of his close association with Idol. Others were more forthcoming: ''It's the reason I'm here,'' says Ruben Studdard. ''[Album] producers do their best to scoot away from the Idol stigma, but I'll never forget where I came from.'' Kelly Clarkson agrees: ''['American Idol winner'] is going to be on my grave,'' she says. ''I'll be a trivia answer for life. And still, with everything that I do, the people surrounding me tell me that they think that [my next album] will be what breaks me away from American Idol. And I have to ask, Why are we running from it?''

FLIGHTS OF FANTASIA Will the newest American Idol (shown with runner-up, DeGarmo) rise to the top of the charts? Well, because it's a reality TV show and because there's the lingering stench from flops by lesser-known (and less beloved) contestants: Tamyra Gray, RJ Helton, and Josh Gracin all stalled, and none produced a Top 40 pop single. Says Billboard charts director Geoff Mayfield, ''Idol is hugely successful at getting people to watch it on TV, but the artists have to make music that consumers connect with or they may not automatically buy their albums.'' FLIGHTS OF FANTASIA Will the newest American Idol (shown with runner-up, DeGarmo) rise to the top of the charts? 'American Idol' Overload? That's the conundrum facing Fantasia and her runner-up, Diana DeGarmo, who may be hurt most by the glut because there's so much talent on the market right now. Kevin Milligan, VP of product for Virgin Entertainment Group, warns that ''they might find it more difficult to find their footing and get radio support because of their Idol competitors.'' And, indeed, neither of their debut singles (released in June) made a dent on Top 40 radio, though they were strong at retail. What a marked contrast to Clarkson, Aiken, and Studdard, whose singles all reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. ''The show can hold us back. It can disappoint fans if they are expecting to hear what we sang on the show,'' says Fantasia. ''But it's time for us to show our styles...to show what's behind the American Idol.'' Clive Davis says amen to that. ''It's understandable that there is a skeptical aura around any artist who comes out of a television show. But it smacks of guilt by association. You've got to forget what gave genesis to these artists. I don't even think about where they came from anymore.'' Easy for him to say. (Posted:10/19/04)

BOTH ARTICLES COPIED FROM THE NET, PEOPLE MAG, EW MAG, AND AOL