I plan on watching every single episode of NBC’s Nashville Star and writing a Cowell-esque blog concerning my thoughts of the talent pool. It will take me awhile to get everyone’s name down, so, for now, I will write in generalities.
First off, let’s talk about the show itself. I was hoping it would attempt to have it’s own identity… but so far it appears to be a three-quarter baked version of it’s much more popular counter-part. The opening number with all 12 contestants performing together was so full of Simon Fuller (Idol’s creator) it was nauseating. I can’t even recall what song it was they all performed but it was bad. And the over-baked drama at the end when Jewel must decide on who shall stay and who shall go was even worse than an Idol episode. The reason is: during Idol we’ve gotten to know these contestants already and, for the most part, have an emotional interest in their success or failure. I couldn’t have cared less which one of those clowns fell of the face of the earth… so, the groaning music underneath just made me groan even louder.
Now to the judges… the producer guy, I think his name is Jeffrey Steele, believe it or not, exudes the most credibility as far as I’m concerned… even though I wouldn’t know this guy if he had bitten me. (But, Yo Dawg, I didn’t know Randy Jackson nor Simon Cowell when Idol got underway 7 years ago) He seems fair enough and competent enough to handle the gig without being overly obnoxious.
The Big and Rich clown can already hit the highway as far as I’m concerned… he may be a part of the biggest act on the panel at this point but if he’s supposed to be the Simon Cowell counter-part then he needs to lose that hat and the half-cocked attitude. If you’re gonna be a horses @$$ then be one! And I sure hope you’re not going to dance with Jewel every episode. If so, I would hope that Ty Murray would come and lay one of his many All-Around Cowboy buckles upside your square head,
Now to Jewel… I will admit that she’s gorgeous and sings like an angel… so maybe I’m being a bit biased. But so far, she’s seems to be handling this role very well. Because unlike the pharmaceutically-induced Paula Abdul, who can’t even remember how many times a contestant has performed in a single show, Jewel appears confident and critical enough to be a legitimate judge. Maybe that’s why the producers let her swing the axe and cut the first performer.
One thing I did like that totally sets the show apart from Idol is… the judges all have guitars at their finger-tips and can actually pick one up and play their critiques to the contestants. Nice touch on behalf of the producers for recognizes the talent pool within their own panel.
Now to the contestants. By far, the best singer was the mother of 5… who is far from svelte but is definitely cute with a great personality. If it doesn’t turn in to a beauty contestant I would already predict she could win it.
Other than that no one else seems to stand out. I am glad the judges cut the Barf-Brooks-Wanna-be… because he did want to make me barf.
It’s interesting that the show is allowing duets and trios to perform as a single entry… that certainly sets it apart from Idol. But by seasons end I predict it will be a single performer, not an ensemble, that wins the coveted Nashville Star belt buckle.
That’s about all I have to say at this point… I’m sure I will get to be even more biting and sarcastic as this over-wrought copy-cat roles along. I just hope it doesn’t get sent back down to the minors (cable) before it has a chance to grow on the viewers. If I remember correctly Idol didn’t exactly come screaming out of the gate like Big Brown on steroids.
Later
Good review of Nashville Star. will be anxious to compare notes with you as the show progresses. Amazing that you got a reference the Belmont Stakes in there as well! Good work, as usual!