The WB's Anti-"Idol"
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By Josh Grossberg

Oh my god, what has William Hung wrought?


The tuneless American Idol wonder who has parlayed his amazingly awful performance of "She Bangs" into a full-time career (including the high-charting album, Inspiration) has apparently inspired the WB.


The Frog net, looking to spoof Fox's mega-popular talent contest, has recruited Bachelor/Bachelorette mastermind Mike Fleiss to launch Superstar USA, a competition showcasing the worst American musical talent, Daily Variety reports.


Instead of rewarding performing prowess, Superstar will take its skewed cue from such reality predecessors as Joe Millionaire, Average Joe and My Big Fat Obnoxious Fianc with the joke being on the contestants.


"These people believe they're the next pop superstar, even though they're horrible singers," Fleiss tells Variety. "It's not funny seeing bad singers doing karaoke. This is about people who are clearly delusional and watching them butcher song after song."


Earplugs, presumably, not included.


Like Idol,Superstar will feature a panel of three judges--rapper Tone-Loc, popster Vitamin C and the prickly Chris Briggs serving as the show's version of Simon Cowell (Briggs is also one of its producers).


But unlike Idol's judges, these three will mock the vocally gifted while Paula Abduling the truly tune-challenged. The judges will do so with straight faces, since the idea is that the show is more of a joke than talent contest.


The first two episodes will capture the cattle call of crooners lining up for open auditions in Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Miami and Minneapolis. Judges will whittle the ranks down to 12 aspiring superstars who will be given a full fashion makeover, not to mention--wink, wink--a stable of adoring fake fans who will swoon before the wannabe's every move.


Eventually, two finalists will remain and the last man standing (i.e., the worst of the worst) will win the faux title of Superstar USA. And to make up for all the embarrassment of being, pardon the pun, Hung out to dry, the winner will receive a grand prize worth $100,000 and a recording deal.


Fleiss calls the concept a "bizarro version of American Idol.


The WB is hoping that Superstar becomes a watercooler-worthy reality success, unlike the tepid reaction to the network's previous efforts like The Surreal Life and High School Reunion.


And for all those naysayers out there who say TV has just gotten plain mean, Fleiss begs to differ.


"These are people who believe in themselves unconditionally, who wouldn't let anything stop them from pursuing their dream--even the lack of a singing voice," he said. "They do get the fame and fortune, it's just not how they thought."


Superstar, which finished a fast four-week shoot on Tuesday night, is set to premiere on the Frog network May 17 at 9 p.m. and air twice a week, on Mondays and Tuesdays. Former MTV veejay Brian McFayden has been tappd to emcee.


The series finale is scheduled for sometime in June.

American Idol is it's own parody.

LittlePill said:

I mean... noooo, it's not! Is it 9s?!

make it all stooooop!!!!

Am I the only one completely offended by this?? I'm sorry, but I really think this is in poor taste and I fail to see the humor in lampooning a show like American Idol. Those kids have waited their whole lives for a chance at fame and stardom and this is what they get?? A slap in the face it is!

Outrageous. I'll say that again: outrageous!

Fantasia, LaToya, John, John Peter, George, Jennifer, and, yes, even Jasmine: on behalf of America and all Americans, I apologize to you for this bit of nastiness and hope that you can still muster the strength and courage that you have show all along and continue to sing your little hearts out!

U! S! A! U! S! A!

2the9s said:

Well, no more offended than I am by the real American Idol.

Godspeed Idols!!