They’ve found solo artists, but a band?
Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls is one of the judges on “The Next Great American Band,” which premieres Oct. 19 on FOX.
Plenty of duos and trios and small groups have tried to set themselves apart from hundreds of thousands of individuals during “American Idol” auditions. Sometimes it works. It never lasts beyond Hollywood, though.
That could have been the reason the producers of “Idol” decided to create “The Next Great American Band,” a reality series that will award someone the title of, well, “The Next Great American Band.”
There’s just one problem: Does anyone really know about this show?
Sure FOX promoted the series during the last season of “Idol,” but the buzz has worn off. And the show premieres at 8/7c Friday, Oct. 19. A Friday, really? TV hasn’t worked in that timeslot since TGiF.
“American Band” doesn’t even have it’s own official Web site, just a MySpace page that is linked through FOX.com. So, will it get the ratings?
“Am I worried?” asked Nigel Lythgoe, 19 Entertainment executive producer for an interview with The Washington Post. “I think people find programs that they want to watch. If we’re a good show, people will find us.”
I think there’s plenty to be worried about, even though “American Band” will follow the “Idol” formula.
There will be three judges — Goo Goo Dolls lead singer Johnny Rzeznik, band leader Sheila E. and industry expert Ian “Dicko” Dickson, who was a judge on “Australian Idol.” That version of “Idol” hosted Kelly Clarkson for its most recent season.
The judges on “American Band” will narrow the field to 10 finalists — there were 6,000 bands who entered — and those bands will perform their own songs and cover tunes to try and garner votes from America via phone calls and text messages.
Unlike “Idol,” there was no age limit to enter. A band had to have at least two members, and at least one person had to play an instrument. As with “Idol,” contestants could not have a record contract to enter.
The original 6,000 bands were narrowed to 60, who auditioned live. Consider it the “Hollywood Week,” and from there it was down to the final 10. The show’s finale will be a face-off among the top three finalists.
American Idol, The Next Great American Band, American Band, Johnny Rzeznik, Sheila E.
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