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Topic: American Band' takes 'Idol' idea to the next level (Read 723 times) |
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Shannon
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American Band' takes 'Idol' idea to the next level
« on: Oct 19th, 2007, 10:05am » |
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American Band' takes 'Idol' idea to the next level
By Gary Strauss, USA TODAY
Fox is with the band —The Next Great American Band.
The network that has made reality-show entertainment spectacles of wannabe solo singers and dancers with American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance? launches its latest competition tonight (8 ET/PT) in a quest to find viewers' favorite musical group.
The brainchild of Idol and Dance producer Nigel Lythgoe, American Band begins with a two-hour, 60-group audition fest. Winnowed from thousands of auditions, tapes and websites, the 60 will be cut to 12 by the judges: percussionist Sheila E., Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik and music industry veteran Ian "Dicko" Dickson, who was a judge on Australian Idol.
From there, surviving bands will perform an original song as well as one chosen by the show, and two bands will be eliminated by viewer votes each week. The last band standing will nab a recording contract.
Musicians range in age from 12 to 84, and their styles range from polka and country to big band and Kiss imitators. Judging from a preview highlight reel distributed by Fox, judges' critiques and observations will be fairly tame.
"A couple of the acts, I had to say, 'You've got to be kidding me,' " Sheila E. says; some bands have more shtick and style than musical skills. Others "had great marketing value but lacked musicianship. Some were great musicians, but their showmanship wasn't good. Overall, 15 to 17 could be on a record or the radio. For them, this is a great opportunity."
Rzeznik says he initially was reluctant to be a Band judge because he didn't want to publicly criticize fellow musicians. But he says he has come to relish his role and finds the trials of the band experience relatable. The Goo Goo Dolls formed in Buffalo in the mid-1980s. "We got rejected by 30 music companies before we got a deal," Rzeznik says.
"I wasn't into the American Idol experience — I'm not into (individual) vocal gymnastics, I'm a band guy," Rzeznik says. "But this is appealing in a certain way. It's a 21st-century battle of the bands done on a massive scale. Sometimes it's been funny. Sometimes it's been sad. You can't tell what people are going to like. But so far, this has been a lot of fun."
Lythgoe says viewers will be particularly impressed by some of the country music acts. "Their musicality is fantastic," he says. "Everyone who worked on the show is a bit open-mounted, they were that good."
Several of the bands have played together for several years, and some have recorded before, only to lose their contracts. "We've got one that could give The Eagles a run for their money," Lythgoe says.
Will viewers relate to musical groups as they have to many of the solo performers on Idol and Dance? That could be tricky, Lythgoe acknowledges. "We want to make sure (viewers) care, but it's a lot easier with an individual than with a group of people," Lythgoe says. "Those human-interest stories are the emotional barbs I'd like to throw out there. It takes more than singing to get you to pick up the phone and vote."
Fox executives have modest expectations for American Band; it's slotted on one of the smallest viewing nights of the week. For one thing, there'll be no multiple-night viewings or results shows unless ratings warrant. "Fridays are almost completely dead nights," says Mike Darnell, chief of alternative programming. "I'd be thrilled with a quarter of the audience Idol gets. But it's going to take time to build."
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-10-18-american-band_N. htm
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DWG
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Re: American Band' takes 'Idol' idea to the next l
« Reply #1 on: Oct 19th, 2007, 10:59am » |
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Lemme guess...the one who's 84 does polka.
and...
"Everyone who worked on the show is a bit open-mounted, they were that good."
Uhh..."open-mounted"?
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| « Last Edit: Oct 19th, 2007, 11:05am by Dances_with_Goo » |
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Shannon
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Re: American Band' takes 'Idol' idea to the next l
« Reply #3 on: Oct 19th, 2007, 11:27am » |
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on Oct 19th, 2007, 11:21am, nmf016 wrote:http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/fox-the-next-great-american-band-hoping-find-its-own-niche-5947.php
John described as 'deer in headlights' by the dude who let John be a judge.  |
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I bet he was. He's used to being criticized and probably doesn't feel comfortable doing it to others. The article indicated he finally found his groove though. Tonight ought to be interesting.
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| « Last Edit: Oct 19th, 2007, 11:27am by Shannon » |
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