[James]

I read on Digital Spy that this is going to be shown near Christmas.

It's a version of Pop Idol with all the winners of the Pop Idol series from around the world.

Viewers won't be allowed to vote for their own country's representative and it's in the contracts of Will Young/ Kelly Clarkson et al that they have to appear (and they won't get paid much either) - Interesting article with details of the Pop Idol contract here

Here's an article about World Idol
http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,12407,00.html

Kelly Clarkson vs. the World

by Lia Haberman
Aug 29, 2003, 9:00 AM PT

Foreign policy pipe dream or international disaster in the making?

American Idol's producers are reportedly plotting a global Idol contest that would pit the first winners of American Idol, England's Pop Idol and similar competitions in a dozen countries against each other.

According to USA Today, Kelly Clarkson would face off against Idol champs from around the world in a two-hour special during the Christmas season on the same day in several countries.

Taping would take place in London and the winner would be announced on a show a week later.

There's even a twist to level the playing field against highly populated countries like China where a billion voters could signify a shoo-in: Viewers reportedly won't be able to vote for their own countrymen--no mention of how producers will regulate this global poll.

On Thursday, a spokesman for 19 Management confirmed to E! News Live that World Idol was an idea that had been percolating in executive producer Simon Fuller's high-concept cranium for a while.

Production is in preliminary stages said the spokesman but the show will hopefully air in December. And while there's no American network associated yet, the producers are hoping to get Fox on board.

Heads up, 19 Management--someone better call Clarkson's reps.

When contacted, Kelly's label RCA told E! this was the first they've heard of the global showdown and denied that Kelly was involved in any way.

They may want to reconsider. Clarkson, who left MTV's Video Music Awards empty-handed Thursday night despite three nominations, has spent the last month performing among prized heifers and pie-tossing booths at state fairs.