A Comparison of Nashville Star and American Idol

"Nashville Star" is country music's answer to the popular television show "American Idol." Previously aired on the USA Network, this season "Nashville Star" makes the jump to the commercial television network NBC.

While the two programs are similar in that they search for the next "star" talent and the approach to that search are similar in the auditions and judges; the programs themselves go about this talent show in different ways.

"Nashville Star" does not spend several weeks showing off really bad auditions. The creators of "Nashville Star" allowed the musical wannabes to play their instruments from the beginning of the show's airing - a concept allowed for the first time this season on "American Idol". Country music has always had a different approach and feel from pop and rock music. Instruments have always played an important role is country music and "Nashville Star" reflects that importance.

The show itself will look very familiar to "American Idol" fans in that there is a host, a three person judging panel, themed song weeks, and fan voting. "Nashville Star" does not air several times a week so the voted off contestant must wait for the next show to find out whether or not he or she has advanced to the next round. And the ousted hopeful must suffer through the entire show before the fate is finally revealed. Voting is done via phone and internet on "Nashville Star" while the producers of "American Idol" have yet to allow voting via the internet.

When it comes to themed song weeks the contestants must demonstrate more than a karaoke ability to perform songs. Realizing that there is more to talent than just standing in front of a microphone and singing the producers of "Nashville Star" ask their contestants to demonstrate their ability as a well rounded talented performer with one of the themes being original song week where the contestant must perform one of his or her own compositions.