Last week, the strange character known as Magic Cyclops began his 15 minutes of fame thanks to a memorable appearance on American Idol (video), and even he is surprised by it. His social media following has grown, he’s getting more gigs, and he’s guesting on radio shows across the nation.

But success, even if it was brought about by bizarrely deconstructing the most popular TV show in America, comes with a price. Yesterday, some wacky morning show DJs in Iowa brandjacked the Cyclops, saying that his entire act was an event they helped him plan five years ago. Bizarre. Needless to say, Thee Magic Cyclops — who has been performing music and playing the US Air Guitar circuit for at least 10 years — was not pleased. We contacted this legend of absurdity by phone and have this exclusive interview:

MP3: My Interview with Magic Cyclops (Click to listen.)

(In the interview, Magic decries lying the way the DJs did because “trees never lie, they don’t have to,” referencing his song “Angela There.” You can play it — track #8 from the gadget below.)

We also ran a quick brand audit with the Spiral16 web and social media monitoring platform to see what people across the Internet thought about Magic Cyclops’ American Idol appearance.

Because we can do that. Here’s some choice cuts:

From the IMDb boards (titled Magic Cyclops is my new God!): the best thing I have seen on Idol or in comedy in years. This guy was brilliant and nothing like those ridiculous and sad gimmick auditions. I kept thinking he was going to reveal himself as Christopher Guest. He is an improv GENIUS. Anyone who didn’t see how brilliant this guy was is either a baby or too brain-washed by TV’s mediocre fare to comprehend him. So glad I got to see this, now I can stop watching.

@Ally_0924 tweeted to actor Hugh Laurie: @HughLaurieBlues I watched American Idol last week and am completely convinced that you are Magic Cyclops

This blog had the contestants separated into the “Good” and the “Bad,” with Magic Cyclops filed last under the “Bad.”

Yidio: Magic Cyclops is from Davenport, Iowa, and has a terrible fake British accent. But he talks about his impressive air guitar collection and wins me over. He charms me further by explaining the accent by saying he watched a lot of BBC programming when he was younger, and refers to Jimmy Buffet as James Buffet (pronounced buff-ay). And yet, for all that build-up, his performance is a little lacking in zip. And then he closes out by requesting the theme music from “The Incredible Hulk” as he walks away. You know what? He might deserve to go in the “Good” column.

From the SurvivorSucks American Idol message board:

1. I think I dated Magic Cyclops during my brief college stint…
2. Best actor plant evah. 11,000 air guitars. Incredible Hulk music. I lol’d a couple of times.
3. I <3 Magic Cyclops
4. Magic Cyclops is no actor plant. He’s a brilliant, subversive, musical comic. He used to perform in Denver all the time until he recently killed off the character and came back briefly as a cyborg called Magic Roboclops. He also does a lot of the national air guitar championship competitions.

The Rochester City newspaper takes their Idol seriously: I’m not going to discuss Magic Cyclops, because that’s precisely what he wants me to do. Total waste of time, and this show should be embarrassed that it went along with his joke for as long as it did.

Access Atlanta: Magic Cyclops from Davenport, IA seems to be channeling his worst Russell Brand imitation. This is a horrific, time-sucking act. He gave judges a choice of Neil Diamond or Jimmy Buffett. Randy chooses “Cracklin’ Rose,” then “Margaritaville.” It’s absurd. He is a plant who isn’t even in the age limit. (This is no Larry “Pants on the Ground” Platt!) Randy walks out. Good move.

Magic is a divisive figure. Sentiment about Magic Cyclops' American Idol appearance since last week on the Internet is 51% negative and 49% positive.

My94.7fm: This audition was so random, that in my opinion was staged by Idol producers. The judges play right along like its a legitimate audition. The contestant comes in with dark glasses, wearing a bandana with “Magic” across his forehead dressed in a patriotic shirt. He introduces himself as Magic Cyclops and claims he’s running from gambling debts from Davenport, Iowa.

From the Rotten Tomatoes message board:

1. MAGIC CYCLOPS FOR PRESIDENT!!!!
2. Magic Cyclops is the best ever. Incredible wit – so quick.
3. He talks with a British accent because all they could get in his boyhood home was PBS.
4. I loved that. In fact I loved everything about him. Maybe he is a reincarnated drummer from Spinal Tap.
5. - Let’s see your eyes. – I don’t have any eyes. Haha. Best thing from American Idol in ages.

Like many of the commenters online, the conversation quickly turns to Magic’s already existing online assets, like his Facebook, MySpace, Bandcamp, and YouTube pages. Having web and social media monitoring available after a huge media appearance like his is essential in capitalizing on a new fanbase.

It’s also essential to have a social media monitoring system in place to capture the conversation, identify new fans and online influencers, as well as take the temperature of online sentiment. The online sentiment concerning Magic was decidedly split, with 51% negative slightly outweighing the 49% positive. All of this plays into creating an online strategy going forward, whether you are a personality, brand, agency, product, or service.

Thanks to Magic Cyclops for the interview and the music!

Tagged as: air guitar, american idol, case study, internet monitoring, interview, magic cyclops, online sentiment, research, social media monitoring