INXS's Amer. Idol-style replacement for Hutch
Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 1:08 pmAssuming most of you have heard that the remaining members of INXS are going to look for a new lead to replace Michael Hutchence by an American Idol/Pop Idol style reality TV search.
Funnyish (mostly not) article about it in USA Today today, including some potential shows on other new wave/modern rock (and some crap) artists:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/ ... andy_x.htm
[quote]
Reality TV's new sensation: Remaking the band
In a few months, I may have to stop wearing my faded INXS T-shirt.
Why? Because joining forces with reality-show creator Mark Burnett can't possibly be a good thing — and, according to recent reports, that's exactly what the band's remaining members plan to do.
Rock Star, currently the subject of a network "bidding frenzy," would follow INXS on an American Idol-style search for a lead singer. (Ex-front man Michael Hutchence committed suicide in 1997, although, thanks to this news, he may rise from the grave at any moment.)
If the series succeeds, not only will INXS fans be forced to watch the band morph into the next O-Town, producers may latch on to a new trend: fusing retro acts with reality TV.
Just think: Six months from now, we could be looking at a prime-time lineup like this …
Cure Eye for the Straight Guy: What happens when Robert Smith and his band mates perform makeovers on unsuspecting Middle Americans? Be prepared for scads of black eyeliner, Aqua Net, wispy scarves and blood-red lipstick. And tears. And maybe some voodoo.
Tears for Fears Factor: We all know these guys can create catchy music. But just how good are they at commandeering an oil tanker, scuba diving in sour milk and swallowing handfuls of live bees? Viewers will fall head over heels for this adventure series, where real people battle members of the platinum-selling '80s group for fame, prizes and a music video directed by McG.
Boy Meets Boy George: Watch the drama unfold as a batch of straight and gay fellas try to woo the pants off of Culture Club's ex-front man — without tripping his gaydar.
Depeche Mole: Each member of the group will do anything to win the show's $1 million prize (especially since they've made very little in recent years). Problem: One of them is working for the other side, conspiring to ruin every move!
The Amazing Erasure: It's a race against time when these ambitious party boys try to play 30 dance clubs around the world in 30 days. You won't believe what happens in Tokyo …
Colonial Bauhaus: The 17th century goes goth when Peter Murphy's seminal rock group sheds its pasty makeup, moves into a cozy cottage and is forced to bake muffins, attend church services and use the word "ye."
Average Joe Jackson: He may have ruled discotheques in 1982 with Steppin' Out, but underneath it all, Joe Jackson really is an ordinary guy. Viewers following lanky, 49-year-old Joe's quest for a buxom soul mate each week will surely ask each other, "Is she really going out with him?"
Making the Boingo: New Wave outfit Oingo Boingo attempts to reconnect, courtesy of P. Diddy. Spy on Danny Elfman and friends as they record new tracks, take dance classes and fetch Mr. Diddy some cheesecake.
For Love or Eddie Money: Just like most dating shows, this series forces a man to whittle a dozen women down to one. The twist comes in the final episode, when she must make the ultimate choice: keep the guy she's been playing for all along, or go home with Eddie Money, the guy who sang Two Tickets to Paradise?
Survivor: Survivor: In the hit series' best season yet, '80s icons Survivor are plucked from the States and planted on a deserted island, where they put their lives — and the name of their band — on the line. Most heated moment: episode three, when lead singer Dave Bickler comes face-to-face with a real-life "eye of the tiger."
Mrs. Mr. Mister: Inspired by The Bachelor, several women vie for former lead singer Richard Page. Who will take his broken wings and teach him to fly again?
Go-Go Schmo: Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Coffey and other members of the Go-Go's think they're taking part in an American Idol-style competition, worth more than $2 million in royalties and record contracts. But as viewers quickly learn, the joke's on them: The entire show is a setup, and all of the contestants are actors! Will Jane Wiedlin throw a tantrum once the secret is out? Our lips are sealed.
The Real World: Berlin: This is the true story of six musicians, made famous by 1982's The Metro, picked to live in a house and have their lives taped. What happens when they stop being polite and start getting real? (To be honest, not much, but VH1 is betting people will watch anyway.)
The Simple Minds Life: Since topping the charts with The Breakfast Club's Don't You (Forget About Me) in 1985, these Scottish lads have been keeping a low profile. On this series, watch them get ambushed at home, put on a plane and sent to live with a middle-class family in Alabama.
Who Wants to Be a Maniac?: At last count, the band 10,000 Maniacs had about 9,994 openings. Needless to say, the competition on this series won't be too fierce.
Big Country Brother: Are pain and truth the things that really matter to Big Country? Once the band is locked in a house and recorded 24 hours a day, we'll find out for sure. (Appropriately enough, one food challenge will ask members to grow flowers in the desert.)
Extreme Makeover: Gary Cherone, Nuno Bettencourt and the other members of Extreme — come on, you loved More Than Words back in the day — subject themselves to rhinoplasty, liposuction, hair implants and an excruciating exercise regimen for three months. The most beautiful man goes on to compete in a pageant alongside revamped members of A-Ha, Duran Duran and Wang Chung.
Pop Question: Which band would make an awesome reality show?
Can you imagine if U2 lived in a house and let their lives be taped? E-mail your answers to me before June 18, and I'll publish some next week.
[/quote]
Funnyish (mostly not) article about it in USA Today today, including some potential shows on other new wave/modern rock (and some crap) artists:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/ ... andy_x.htm
[quote]
Reality TV's new sensation: Remaking the band
In a few months, I may have to stop wearing my faded INXS T-shirt.
Why? Because joining forces with reality-show creator Mark Burnett can't possibly be a good thing — and, according to recent reports, that's exactly what the band's remaining members plan to do.
Rock Star, currently the subject of a network "bidding frenzy," would follow INXS on an American Idol-style search for a lead singer. (Ex-front man Michael Hutchence committed suicide in 1997, although, thanks to this news, he may rise from the grave at any moment.)
If the series succeeds, not only will INXS fans be forced to watch the band morph into the next O-Town, producers may latch on to a new trend: fusing retro acts with reality TV.
Just think: Six months from now, we could be looking at a prime-time lineup like this …
Cure Eye for the Straight Guy: What happens when Robert Smith and his band mates perform makeovers on unsuspecting Middle Americans? Be prepared for scads of black eyeliner, Aqua Net, wispy scarves and blood-red lipstick. And tears. And maybe some voodoo.
Tears for Fears Factor: We all know these guys can create catchy music. But just how good are they at commandeering an oil tanker, scuba diving in sour milk and swallowing handfuls of live bees? Viewers will fall head over heels for this adventure series, where real people battle members of the platinum-selling '80s group for fame, prizes and a music video directed by McG.
Boy Meets Boy George: Watch the drama unfold as a batch of straight and gay fellas try to woo the pants off of Culture Club's ex-front man — without tripping his gaydar.
Depeche Mole: Each member of the group will do anything to win the show's $1 million prize (especially since they've made very little in recent years). Problem: One of them is working for the other side, conspiring to ruin every move!
The Amazing Erasure: It's a race against time when these ambitious party boys try to play 30 dance clubs around the world in 30 days. You won't believe what happens in Tokyo …
Colonial Bauhaus: The 17th century goes goth when Peter Murphy's seminal rock group sheds its pasty makeup, moves into a cozy cottage and is forced to bake muffins, attend church services and use the word "ye."
Average Joe Jackson: He may have ruled discotheques in 1982 with Steppin' Out, but underneath it all, Joe Jackson really is an ordinary guy. Viewers following lanky, 49-year-old Joe's quest for a buxom soul mate each week will surely ask each other, "Is she really going out with him?"
Making the Boingo: New Wave outfit Oingo Boingo attempts to reconnect, courtesy of P. Diddy. Spy on Danny Elfman and friends as they record new tracks, take dance classes and fetch Mr. Diddy some cheesecake.
For Love or Eddie Money: Just like most dating shows, this series forces a man to whittle a dozen women down to one. The twist comes in the final episode, when she must make the ultimate choice: keep the guy she's been playing for all along, or go home with Eddie Money, the guy who sang Two Tickets to Paradise?
Survivor: Survivor: In the hit series' best season yet, '80s icons Survivor are plucked from the States and planted on a deserted island, where they put their lives — and the name of their band — on the line. Most heated moment: episode three, when lead singer Dave Bickler comes face-to-face with a real-life "eye of the tiger."
Mrs. Mr. Mister: Inspired by The Bachelor, several women vie for former lead singer Richard Page. Who will take his broken wings and teach him to fly again?
Go-Go Schmo: Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Coffey and other members of the Go-Go's think they're taking part in an American Idol-style competition, worth more than $2 million in royalties and record contracts. But as viewers quickly learn, the joke's on them: The entire show is a setup, and all of the contestants are actors! Will Jane Wiedlin throw a tantrum once the secret is out? Our lips are sealed.
The Real World: Berlin: This is the true story of six musicians, made famous by 1982's The Metro, picked to live in a house and have their lives taped. What happens when they stop being polite and start getting real? (To be honest, not much, but VH1 is betting people will watch anyway.)
The Simple Minds Life: Since topping the charts with The Breakfast Club's Don't You (Forget About Me) in 1985, these Scottish lads have been keeping a low profile. On this series, watch them get ambushed at home, put on a plane and sent to live with a middle-class family in Alabama.
Who Wants to Be a Maniac?: At last count, the band 10,000 Maniacs had about 9,994 openings. Needless to say, the competition on this series won't be too fierce.
Big Country Brother: Are pain and truth the things that really matter to Big Country? Once the band is locked in a house and recorded 24 hours a day, we'll find out for sure. (Appropriately enough, one food challenge will ask members to grow flowers in the desert.)
Extreme Makeover: Gary Cherone, Nuno Bettencourt and the other members of Extreme — come on, you loved More Than Words back in the day — subject themselves to rhinoplasty, liposuction, hair implants and an excruciating exercise regimen for three months. The most beautiful man goes on to compete in a pageant alongside revamped members of A-Ha, Duran Duran and Wang Chung.
Pop Question: Which band would make an awesome reality show?
Can you imagine if U2 lived in a house and let their lives be taped? E-mail your answers to me before June 18, and I'll publish some next week.
[/quote]