‘Rock Star’ in making
You’ll be excused for thinking CBS’ “Rock Star: INXS” bears more than a passing resemblance to “American Idol.” It’s a singing contest that features performances on Tuesday, followed by viewer votes and a results show on Wednesday.
The prize also is a recording contract – this time as lead singer for INXS, the late-‘80s Australian band dealt a blow by the suicide in 1997 of frontman Michael Hutchence.
But “Rock Star” (premiering Monday at 9 p.m.), the latest from “Survivor” producer Mark Burnett, adds a third weekly episode, and has other key differences:
•With no televised cross-country auditions, the 15 performers who start the show are all talented, and some are established singers. The youngest is 22, but the average age is 30.
“We made a conscious choice to not try to get sensational ratings out of bad performances,” Burnett says. “There won’t be any William Hungs on the show.”
•Unlike the pop-flavored “Idol,” the new show’s title reveals its emphasis. “Rock Star” turns its back on Whitney and Mariah for songs from classic rockers including the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who, The Kinks, The Doors and David Bowie.
•Though viewers vote for their favorites online (at rockstar.msn.com) and by text message, making the least-popular three eligible for elimination, the band chooses who gets exiled each week.
•There’s no panel of nasty or nice judges. Instead, band members compare notes and offer feedback. Guitarist Dave Navarro is mentor and coach, and host Brooke Burke serves as eye candy and host for performance segments.
With the winner as lead vocalist, INXS in December is due to release its first studio album since Hutchence’s death, followed by a tour next spring. Burnett has set up his own label with Sony’s Epic Records and has exclusive rights to sign any of the 15 contestants.
Monday’s first episode introduces the cast to a Hollywood mansion – replete with the obligatory reality-show hot tub – but they’re whisked an hour later to a club for their first performances.
In subsequent weeks, Monday shows will recount their week in the mansion and “clinics” in which they hone stagecraft and vocals. Tuesday shows offer performances, and Wednesdays feature eliminations after the three lowest vote-getters separately perform INXS songs for the band.