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….
