Here’s what producer Nigel Lythgoe has to say about The Next Great American Band and its risky Friday night timeslot, “I think people find programs that they want to watch. If we’re a good show, people will find us.” Ya think? Confident! Although FOX’s first casualty of the season was “Nashville.” This reality show from the creators of the successful ”Laguna Beach” had the 9 pm timeslot on Friday. The Next Great American Band would have served as its lead in at 8 pm.
If “Nashville” had lasted, that is…
More on The Next Great American Band:
- The producers received 6000 audition tapes from bands across the country
- 60 bands were chosen from these initial entries. They participated in live auditions in August at the Montelago Resort in Lake Las Vegas, NV.
- The judges are Goo Goo Dolls lead singer John Rzeznik, percussionist Sheila E. (remember her from the 80’s? I wonder if she’s nuts like Paula…) and Ian “Dicko” Dickson, who has served as the Simonesque judge on Australian Idol.
- The bands will perform before an audience at the CBS Studios in Los Angeles where American Idol is filmed.
- Nigel says that bands won’t be asked to attempt a music style they’re not familiar with or are unequipped to handle. He says, “We’re not asking them to change their style, we’re asking them to change the song…doing songs that are not necessarily bluegrass music — maybe a David Bowie song — and turning it into bluegrass with a clever arrangement.” Oh really? Sorta like turning a Diana Ross song into a Coldplay song? *snort*
- The final episode will be a showdown between the top three bands.
Nigel promises that ”It’s not a program where we’re going to be celebrating Sanjaya. We’ll be celebrating the talent.” O rly?
The first spoiler? Detroit rockers, the Muggs are rumored to be final contestants….
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Well, of course I am interested in this show. I need my talent show reality fix more than twice a week.
Oh MY. So this is the show that will be about talent.
I get the impression “we” (ok, maybe just “I”
) will be seeing some long-established bands on this one. The ones that have not quite made it. That Detroit band seems to fit that description.
I do wonder if dismal ratings will send it packing before any conclusion can be reached. Wouldn’t be the first time.
Woot! This is going to be very interesting. Time will tell whether the show will be successful - will enjoy while it lasts.