Fall TV: the Next Great American Band

Fox's new show "The Next Great American Band" is set to premiere on Oct.19. From the producers of American Idol, The Next Great American Band is hoping to discover untapped talent. It starts with a two-hour special episode on Oct.19, and two more two-hour special episodes on Oct.26 and Nov.2. It will go to it scheduled time slot on Fri. Nov.9. I think Friday night is a good choice for this show, it will be nice to watch something another than ghost whisper, and other Friday night snooze-fests.

This show will flow similar to American Idol. From the bands that pass the auditions, the three judges will pick 12 that will move on to the 'semifinals'. The semifinalist bands will perform in front of a live audience each week, the bands will perform in a variety of styles, hip-hop, rock, country, etc... along with original music. The viewers votes will determine who stays and who go's. The show's winner will get a contract with 19 recordings as well as the title of "The Next Great American Band". If it is anything like American Idol, only the first season's winners will be any good.

I am interested to see how the bands will handle having to perform in a style that is not their usual. In addition, I do not see how they can put a country band against a rock band. It is one thing to make singers sing different songs to show their vocal range, etc. but bands have a sound. Pull out any of your favorite band's CD's and listen to it, notice that most of the songs have a similar beat. I think they should stick to one type of music, but as I said, it will be interesting to see how well the bands make the songs there own. I have a feeling it will end up being a popularity contest, and not about the music