How do ‘Idol’ singers choose their songs?

Wondering about how a certain reality show pulled something off? Have a question about a certain contestant?

Whether it's "Survivor," "American Idol," "The Apprentice," "Real World" or another show, send in your questions. Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, MSNBC.com's Television Editor, and Andy Dehnart, creator of Reality Blurred, will try to answer them.

Before you send in your question, check our archives — you may be able to get your answer right away.

Q: I’m wondering about the song choice process on “Idol.” Do contestants have a theme-based list from which to choose their songs, or do they have the freedom to choose whichever song they’d like? I’m sure there are certain restrictions based on [copyright] issues as well, but am still curious.    —Laurie, New York

A: Often on “American Idol,” contestants are criticized for their song choice. While deciding what song to perform is very important, the contestants actually only have one hour to pick their song for the following week.

The process starts on Thursdays, when contestants “get a CD with snippets of 50 to 200 songs that fit in the category,” according to The Washington Post, which reported on the contestants’ day-to-day schedules earlier this season.

However, contestants from previous seasons have revealed that they can select any song that fit into that theme, including those not on the CD. Still, the show’s producers have to secure permission to perform the song, and sometimes, songwriters, artists, or labels say no. Specifically, the show must secure both the right to perform the song, and the right to synchronize it (basically, to include it with televised images of the contestant performing).

After the song is selected, it’s condensed and edited, and then scored for the band to play. That’s when the song is ready to be given new life — or butchered — in front of an audience of millions.    —A.D.

Q: There is lots of talk on “American Idol” about wanting to be in the Top 10 to make the Idol Tour. Is it really that profitable for the singers? Do all the singers get paid the same, or do those who last longer on the show get paid more?    —Chris, North Carolina

A: First, the 12 “American Idol” finalists’ pay is a separate matter; the top 12 sign with TV union AFTRA and are paid at least $921 a week for each hour-long show, according to USA TODAY.

On tour, the stipend that the top 10 performers receive is not public, but rumors have placed the amount from $1,000 per show to $5,000 per show (that number was in reference to Ruben Studdard, the second-season winner, so perhaps the winners receive more).

Regardless, that’s still not much compared to other what non-“Idol” concert performers receive. Overall, the tour for “American Idol 5” made $35.2 million, according to Billboard, so there’s plenty of cash to go around.

But the real value of the tour seems to be the exposure. Almost 650,000 fans showed up, and that’s a lot of contact with fans and potential album-buyers. Contestants last year traveled to about 40 cities, which means invaluable media coverage.

They’re also getting experience that could help if the contestants are signed to a record label and tour by themselves. And, of course, performing well on the tour might encourage a record label to sign one of the finalists.    —A.D.

Update: We've been asked many times why "Survivor" always chooses a warm-weather location, and we addressed some of the issues that would involve. Namely, the cast couldn't show off their hot bods in bikinis and swim trunks, and more practically, frostbite can be more damaging and tougher to protect against than sun exposure.

But now host Jeff Probst is saying that show creator Mark Burnett is "leaning towards truly considering a colder climate." The Edmonton Journal reports that as it gets harder for the show to find locations it hasn't already used, cold-weather locations keep creeping back into the discussion. I still don't see it happening, but apparently the topic is in play.    —G.F.C.

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