TORONTO - Rock 'n' roll lives on in "Canadian Idol'' as the popular singing contest kicks off a sixth season Tuesday on the heels of "American Idol'''s surprise coronation of a scruffy-haired emo-rocker.
Executive producer John Brunton says the slow burn of 26-year-old David Cook, who triumphed over baby-faced 17-year-old David Archuleta in the "American Idol'' finale two weeks ago, has resulted in more men turning out for Canadian auditions of the show.
"More guys came out than had ever come out for the show before,'' notes Brunton.
"We've had a lot of really, really seasoned performers that have come out for the first time that, I think, has said, `OK, based on what I've seen now I'm going to give this a try.'''
"They're going: `Well gee, that's not some stereotypical idea of a corny TV show.'''
The "Idol'' franchise has traditionally favoured lighthearted pop fare, with its youngest contestants often drawing the most squeals from the audience.
But this year, the raspy-voiced Cook won in a landslide against the fresh-scrubbed Archuleta, and observers have pointed to an apparent shift in viewers that has seen the median age rise to 42 from the mid-30s.
Brunton is quick to point out that any edgier leanings appeared first in "Canadian Idol'' -- noting that the Canuck version crowned a rocker last year with Hamilton's Brian Melo, while Season 2's also-ran, Hedley front man Jacob Hoggard, has emerged as a full-fledged star on the music scene.
Brunton credits Melo's rendition of the Radiohead hit "Karma Police'' as a turning point for both the show and the low-key singer, who kicks off a national tour with rockers Tupelo Honey this weekend in Banff, Alta.
"He had a huge influence in bringing out a whole different crowd this year,'' Brunton says.
CTV says this year's cross-Canada tour attracted nearly 10,000 applicants in-person and 900 who sent video submissions online.
Melo marvelled at the roller-coaster ride he's been on over the past year, which saw him record his first album, "Livin' It','' and continue his romance with fellow contestant Tara Oram.
"For the show, you have to stay strong mentally and try not to party too hard,'' Melo advises the new hopefuls. "Just enjoy the ride, enjoy the experience and best of luck to you.''
Melo says he still performs the Radiohead song that catapulted him to the spotlight, but for his first solo tour -- a mix of original material and cover songs -- he'll be tackling another Radiohead favourite, "Fake Plastic Trees.''
The hat-loving singer also says his romance with Oram is still going strong, noting they moved in together a few months ago in Toronto and have found support in each other as they pursue distinct music careers.
He says Oram, a country singer from Gander, N.L., who reached last year's "Idol'' Top 6, is currently in Nashville working on an album and a new TV show for CMT.
Meanwhile, "Idol'' judge Zack Werner has been stepping out from behind the judge's table to rock out himself.
The sharp-tongued critic formed a country-rock band called Haymaker in Medicine Hat, Alta., where he spent the past weekend trying out their guitar-driven party tunes at a steakhouse bar.
"What we're doing has a real George Thorogood, Lynard Skynyrd, greasy swamp-rock underpinning,'' he said from Medicine Hat.
"But that's a lot of who I am and what we are, and I always loved that stuff.''
He says being in the spotlight for his musicianship rather than his cutting comments won't soften his trademark tough take on "Idol'' hopefuls.
Werner says he's seen a lot of what he likes from the early auditions, including a standout performance from the online submissions that made a big impression on him and colleagues Jake Gold, Sass Jordan and Farley Flex.
The bad crooners have a certain charm, too, he adds.
"Some people, you love them because you're protecting them and championing them, and some people you love them because there's a good chance to shoot somebody in the head,'' Werner says.
The new season of "Idol'' kicks off Tuesday with three episodes featuring the wildest and most memorable auditions.
