Idol Chatter & Voice Views

At some point early last year, returning executive producer Nigel Lythgoe predicted that American  Idol’s  season 10 winner would break big when he or she released his or her debut album.

At one point, that would have been a given.  After Kelly Clarkson made it big, Idol winners could be counted on to debut in the top 10 on the Billboard 200. And they did, year after year.

Until Kris Allen inexplicably defeated Adam Lambert at the end of season eight. Kris’ debut landed at an unimpressive number 11 in its first week on the Billboard 200.

Things got worse after Lee DeWyze became Idol’s second straight undeserving winner in season nine. (Sorry, Lee fans, I will forever believe Crystal Bowersox got robbed with a capital ‘R.’)

Lee’s “Live It Up” died a quick death on the Billboard 200. It debuted at number 19, the worst ever for an Idol winner, dropped to 93 the following week and disappeared entirely after 10 weeks.

So a smash hit from the season 10 winner was far from a guarantee.

But, apparently, Nigel’s pledge has been fulfilled.

Billboard announced this morning that Scotty McCreery’s first album, “Clear As Day,” released last Tuesday, is number one on the Billboard 200 this week. He’s the first Idol to accomplish that feat since Ruben Studdard after season two. He’s the youngest performer ever to have a debut album land at number one on the Billboard 200.

Now, it should be said that Scotty benefited more than a little from timing. Past albums from Idol winners have been released closer to the holiday shopping season, when new music releases flood the market.

By moving up the release date for albums from this year’s finalists, Idol avoided such tough head-to-head competition. Other new releases landing in the top 10 this week are from Feist, Rodney Atkins and Jack’s Mannequin.

At the same time, let’s not diminish Scotty’s accomplishment.

Billboard says 197,000 copies of Scotty’s album sold in week one.

That’s  more than twice the number Kris Allen sold in his first week.

That’s five times more than Lee DeWyze sold in his first week. (If you missed it, Lee was recently dropped by his record company.)

So, congrats to Scotty. And to Idol for rediscovering its Midas touch, a least temporarily.

Next week, we’ll find out how well it worked for Lauren Alaina.

Meanwhile, here are the chart debuts for past Idols and past Idol runners-up.

Season One: Kelly Clarkson, #1; Justin Guarini, #20

Season Two: Ruben Studdard, #1; Clay Aiken, #1

Season Three: Fantastia, #8; Diana DeGarmo, #52

Season Four: Carrie Underwood, #2; Bo Bice, #4

Season Five: Taylor Hicks, #2; Katharine McPhee, #2

Season Six: Jordin Sparks, #10; Blake Lewis, #10

Season Seven: David Cook, #3; David Archuleta, #2

Season Eight: Kris Allen, #11; Adam Lambert, #3.

Season Nine: Lee DeWyze, #19; Crystal Bowersox, #28.