Apparently the run of themed nights that American Idol has been throwing at singers and viewers will continue after the contestant pool has been winnowed down to the top 12, and one in particular will be a doozy: The first single-elimination episode will feature music by the Beatles, or at least the Lennon & McCartney songbook. Sony ATV, the publishing company that controls licensing of the Beatles’ catalog, has agreed to license those songs to the talent show, an outcome that’s been the result of seven years of cajoling, begging, and cramming together a few Fab Four songs into a very awkward medley during the “Idol Gives Back” telcast, according to executive producer Nigel Lythgoe.
Sony ATV has a list of potential candidates on its Web site; songs written by George Harrison are not included in the licensing, a fact that’s probably making all the guitar-wielding contestants a little sad this morning. Personally, I’m hoping for Danny Noriega to stick around long enough so he’ll be able to let loose a performance inspired by Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band… The Movie, and if Vote For The Worst’s mojo keeps up, maybe he can team up with Amanda Overmyer, who you know will go the “Aerosmith cover of ‘Come Together’” route.
Music search [Sony ATV]
Idol Gets Beatlemania [E!]
In recent years, the stuff that’s been permitted with the old Northern Songs catalog would have been unthinkable just a decade or two ago — think Love and Across the Universe. (The ‘78 Sgt. Pepper movie only exists because the parties were distracted with litigation back then.)
Honestly, compared to the recent ancillary product, letting Idol do a theme week is one of the least controversial things they could do.
Does Michael Jackson still own part of the Beatles catalog?
Yes, although it’s leveraged to all hell as it’s pretty much the only tangible asset he has left.