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        Goo Goo Dolls >> Goo Goo Dolls >> 'American Band' is no hit
        
(Message started by: Shannon on Nov 1^st, 2007, 6:48am)

Title: 'American Band' is no hit
Post by Shannon on Nov 1^st, 2007, 6:48am

'American Band' is no hit
In their bid to replicate 'Idol,' show's creators might want to stick to their day jobs

Thursday, Nov 01, 2007 - 12:04 AM

By MELISSA RUGGIERI
MUSIC CRITIC
Tune into the first three minutes of "The Next Great American Band" and you'll notice the parallels to "American Idol."

The names Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe are all over the opening credits.

The three judges sit in order of personality: Diplomatic nice-guy (Goo Goo Doll's well-coiffed frontman John Rzeznik), kind-hearted female ('80s hitmaker and respected percussionist Sheila E.) and caustic foreigner ("Australian Idol" judge Ian "Dicko" Dickson).

The host, Dominic Bowden, who steers "New Zealand Idol" in his spare time, is even like an accented version of Ryan Seacrest, but slightly less metrosexual and slightly more annoyingly enthusiastic.

Yet, two weeks into "Band"'s run, there is one mammoth difference between it and the Godzilla that is "American Idol."

No one is watching.

Viewers for the show its premiere week of Oct. 19 were a laughable 3.5 million, placing it in ninth place for the night.

Last Friday earned even more pity. A mere 2.87 million tuned in, putting the show in 10th place.

So what's the problem?

It can't be that audiences are tired of call-in competitions because "Dancing with the Stars" still commands huge ratings. Nor, apparently, are they bored by watching nobodies contend for a prize because surely someone other than Emmy voters watches "The Amazing Race."

So I'm going with a lack of anything familiar as the reason why "Band" can't attract the very flyover states that have helped make "Idol" a TV powerhouse.

With no flashy guest judges or "mentors" (mock them all you want, but people know the names Barry Gibb and Jon Bon Jovi) and a first-week competition that tasked the bands with covering the catalog of Bob Dylan (not only do novices tend to destroy it, but Dylan's music also isn't exactly perky TV fodder), what is the motivation to watch?

Kudos to the show for adding an assignment that "Idol" desperately needs if it ever hopes -- or cares -- to establish credibility in the sector of the music industry that is interested in talent and not sales: making the bands perform an original number.

But as important as songwriting is to those in the music industry, it is equally unimportant to the casual viewer or listener.

Not many people I know care that Carrie Underwood didn't write "Before He Cheats." They just think it's a terrific tune and that's good enough for them.

So why devote two hours on a Friday night -- or two hours of precious TiVo space -- to watching bland Brooklyn band The Hatch ape Maroon 5 simulating Led Zeppelin on their lame song, "Stretch Out the Time"?

If you need a reason -- other than that a couple of bands are tight, professional outfits that more than deserve a national platform -- it's to witness judging that is actually meaningful.

Dickson is such a caricature that you know he'll never have a kind word. But who knew that Rzeznik -- the guy behind "Name" and "Iris" -- could be so assertive? The Goo singer approaches each critique with care and thought, but, when greeted with an obnoxious chorus of boos from the well-trained audience after an innocuous criticism to overbaked chick punksters Rocket (he suggested they listen to more Chrissie Hynde and Siouxsie Sioux), he snapped, "I'm not doing anybody a favor by lying to them."

A whole sentence without the word "dawg." Imagine that.

Sheila E., meanwhile, is definitely the most sensitive of the three, but, unlike Paula Abdul, she brings a musician's ear to the table. Telling kiddie rockers Light of Doom to not only put on shirts (most of the boys in the band are 12 and 13 years old -- can you blame her for being skeeved out?), but to also make sure they finish their notes in the correct key, is the kind of advice these youngsters might consider.

Of course, she did predict that the tight funk band Franklin Bridge would take the competition -- a proclamation no doubt inspired by the group's hot drumming -- and then slightly recanted after country rockers Sixwire provided the most polished and hit-worthy performance of the show.

Careful with that, Sheila. Give it a few more weeks before falling in love.

But offering semi-insightful judges isn't enough to spawn another monster franchise.

Viewers have to become invested in these bands, and maybe since, as of tomorrow, the groups will be whittled down to a manageable 10, more curiosity-seekers will tune in and stick around as the finalists muddle through the Elton John/Bernie Taupin songbook.

And if you still aren't convinced that "Band" deserves a look, consider that last week, at least half of the contestants uttered this phrase before playing their self-penned songs: "This is an original song that we wrote."

You can't get that kind of comedy on "American Idol."

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/entertainment/music.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-11-01-0028.html

Title: Re: 'American Band' is no hit
Post by jetskiters on Nov 1^st, 2007, 8:58am

i like this review. Despite pointing out the fact that not many people watch it, i like how the writer recognizes what makes TNGAB different and much more interesting than AI. We have more insightful judges who know what they're talking about (not to mention the cool comments about John lol), bands who play original music, etc. Hopefully people will see that and give this show a shot.

Title: Re: 'American Band' is no hit
Post by Shannon on Nov 1^st, 2007, 10:53am

I know. When I first saw the title I thought it was going to be an article shredding the show to pieces but it's really not. It's more a commentary that no one is watching. But can they truly be surprised when they put it on Friday night? I liked this article too for the reasons you pointed out.

Title: Re: 'American Band' is no hit
Post by nmf009 on Nov 1^st, 2007, 2:14pm

I think it was an awful idea for John to do this show.

But that being said, I at least respect the fact that the show is trying to be more classy than American Idol or other reality and competition shows. I like that I don't feel dirty or ashamed for the human race after watching it. I think all of the judges are qualified to be judges and I think all of them genuinely want to give advice. I respect that there are no blatantly gimmicky bands. And I appreciate that the show appears to be going on as planned rather than change to get more viewers who tune in for drama and controversy.

Hopefully the show lasts for the season and doesn't return for a second season and all will be forgotten.

Title: Re: 'American Band' is no hit
Post by djgeneral on Nov 1^st, 2007, 3:01pm

That is pretty sad for viewers, but a lot of people would prob watch, but they are busy on Friday. I didn't watch either weeks because I watch another show, but I did tape it.

I think if it was even on any other days it would not get amazing ratings.

5-6 million tops.

Title: Re: 'American Band' is no hit
Post by googoodollsfan on Nov 1^st, 2007, 8:53pm

idk.............i dont really like the show very much...not a big fan............

and when i do flip it to it, its only to see JOHNNY! something about him doing this show, doesnt seem right...idk.........that's just my opion though.........so, yeah.......................

Title: Re: 'American Band' is no hit
Post by the o canada on Nov 1^st, 2007, 11:27pm

A mere 2.87 million tuned in, putting the show in 10th place.

In a bizarre way, I find this oddly amusing. If this were the number of people watching the show in Canada, it would be the #1 rated show for the week or pretty darn close to it.

Title: Re: 'American Band' is no hit
Post by laurengoo on Nov 2^nd, 2007, 11:15am

on 11/01/07 at 23:27:53, the o canada wrote:

I have to agree with him there. :)

I don't know why, I can't seem to watch those kinds of shows. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate those shows, it just never seems to catch my interest.

Title: Re: 'American Band' is no hit
Post by Pon on Nov 7^th, 2007, 11:38am

I haven't really watched the show, but it doesn't look much to me.

1) Yes, it's a Friday...I just found that out.

2) John doesn't seem like a TV guy or has that outgoing attractive personality as attractive to the general audience. He's very charismatic in his territory, but not others. Kinda like Dr. Laura where she's amazing on radio, but sucks on tv.

3) Rock music is just too broad. You can take the biggest rock band in the world and still most ppl wouldn't like them. On the other hand, pop/rap music is just entertaining and acceptable to most ppl, even if u don't like it. U can go to the club and enjoy any pop/rap song, even if u wouldn't listen to it in your car.