As midseason arrives, the trend for TV shows is decidedly hyperreal. More than half of the new shows are reality series, and several of those have the same essential theme: the search for the next pop music superstar. A Canadian version of the popular Idols format, Canadian Idol, could provide a new, and perhaps ironic, take on the notion of cultivating celebrity from scratch. The CBC is even getting in on the game with this month’s launch of The Great Canadian Music Dream, ‘a higher calibre’ version of the pop music showdown series. We also get to revisit The Bachelor, but this time, a fallen Bachelorette takes the reins and we get to see what the men will do for love. Finally, Fox voyages back into the touchy territory of Darva Conger and Rick Rockwell with Joe Millionaire, a love contest that tries to fool women into thinking they’ll be hooking up with a dashing millionaire – only to find out he’s practically penniless.
American Idol 2
CTV/FOX
Launch date: Jan. 21, 2003
Day/time: Tuesday, 8 p.m.
The story: All the regulars are back for the second run of the wildly popular ‘search for a superstar’ reality show. But what ever happened to Kelly?
The cast: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest.
The backing: Format licensed from FremantleMedia; 19TV.
The verdict: Dennis Dinga, VP/director of broadcast buying at M2 Universal, says American Idol 2 will do very well, though not quite as well as the first American Idol. He’s concerned about the time-slot, which traditionally skews older. Theresa Treutler, SVP/broadcast investment director for Starcom Worldwide, says the show’s numbers will likely depend on how good the candidates are.
Popstars: The One
Global Television Network
Launch date: Jan. 9, 2003
Day/time: Sunday, 7 p.m.
The story: The third instalment in the Canadian Popstars franchise. Aspiring singers from across the country vie for pop stardom – 7,000 auditioners from 10 cities. The difference? This time, there can only be one superstar.
The cast: Judges include songwriter/producer Paul Myers, former MuchMusic VJ Erica Ehm and comedian Jason Rouse.
The backing: Global Television, Lone Eagle Entertainment.
The verdict: Though the first two Popstars series did well, Dinga says numbers may start to fade for Popstars: The One. ‘This is the kind of show that I don’t think will have just a gradual decline. Once it goes, it’ll drop quickly and this might be the one,’ quips Dinga. Treutler says this show will do well, but ‘American Idol will give it a bit of a run for its money.’
Canadian Idol
CTV
Launch date: June 2003
Day/time: TBA
The story: Searching for a superstar, Canadian-style. Like American Idol 1 and 2, the show is based on the international Idols format. CTV is currently searching for two title sponsors, which will have access to Popstars-style extras such as product placement, vignettes and integrated messaging. The price is much higher than Popstars though, buyers say.
The cast: A myriad of solo superstar hopefuls. Hosts and judges TBA.
The backing: FremantleMedia; 19TV.
The verdict: Florence George, VP/media director at HYPN, says CTV is smart to position this show in the summer, since there’s not much competition, though she says summer isn’t a big spending period for most categories. Treutler says Canadian Idol will do quite well, especially since CTV will be pre-promoting the show during American Idol 2. But Treutler is concerned that Canadian viewers may tire of the genre, what with so many Idol-type shows coming out. ‘CTV will have to ensure its freshness somehow,’ says Treutler. ‘Maybe give it a Canadian spin, or a slightly different look.’
Kingpin
CTV, NBC
Launch date: TBA
Day/time: TBA
The story: Traffic meets The Sopranos when a family-run drug cartel faces off against Drug Enforcement Agency operatives in this gritty crime drama.
The cast: Yancy Arias, Steven Bauer, Sheryl Lee, Brian Benben, Angela Alvarado and Ruben Carabajal.
The backing: Produced by NBC Studios and Spelling Television; executive produced by Aaron Spelling of Beverly Hills 90210 fame; directed by Allen Coulter (The Sopranos).
The verdict: Treutler says the outlook is good for Kingpin – it has high production values and production backing from the likes of Aaron Spelling. But she says the numbers will ultimately depend on where the show is positioned. Dinga counters that the Hispanic-flavoured Kingpin likely won’t do as well in Canada. ‘If you take a look at the Spanish population in Canada, or even the major centres, it’s a lot less than the U.S.’
The Bachelorette
Citytv (Toronto and Vancouver)/ABC
Launch date: Jan. 8, 2003
Day/time: Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET/PT
The story: Bachelor reject Trista Rehn gets her own show and gets to call the shots. Twenty-five men vie for the affections of Rehn until there is only one left.
The cast: Trista Rehn, 25 single men; hosted by Chris Harrison.
The backing: Produced by Next Entertainment in association with Telepictures Productions for ABC.
The verdict: ‘It will probably do the same as The Bachelor, if not better,’ says Dinga. Treutler says this show will skew women, and that it will feed ‘curious minds.’ One buyer in Treutler’s office says ‘many viewers will like to see if men behave as ridiculously as the women did.’
Joe Millionaire
Citytv, FOX
Launch date: Jan. 6, 2003
Day/time: Monday, 9 p.m. (seven episodes)
The story: Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire meets The Bachelor. Fifty women are led to believe they are vying for the affections of a millionaire. It turns out he’s only worth about $20,000.
The cast: Twenty single women, one blue-collar guy.
The backing: Twentieth Century Fox.
The verdict: Dinga says Joe Millionaire will do fairly well because it is being heavily promoted. It won’t get huge numbers, he says, but it will get decent deliveries. Treutler says she has no doubt the show will attract women viewers 18 to 34, though she feels Joe is a ‘low common denominator’ type of show.
Oliver Beene
CTV, FOX
Launch date: TBA
Day/time: TBA
The story: The adult Oliver Beene recalls his childhood as an 11-year-old boy in the Kennedy-era ’60s, where he has to contend with his eccentric family, his closeted gay friend Michael and his spiteful teacher Mrs. Heller in this Steven Levitan-produced comedy.
The cast: Grant Rosenmeyer, Grant Shaud, Wendy Makkena, Andy Lawrence, Ben Bookbinder, Taylor Emerson.
The backing: Produced by Steven Levitan (Just Shoot Me).
The verdict: Treutler and Dinga concur that this one will depend on what it’s up against. ‘If they position it after The Simpsons it’ll probably do pretty good against young males,’ says Dinga. ‘But if they put it before The Simpsons, I think it might have a tough time catching on.’
The Dead Zone
CHUM NewNets, Space,
USA Network
Launch date: Jan. 15, 2003
Day/time: Wednesday, 10 p.m. & Tuesday, 9 p.m.
The story: A one-hour sci-fi drama based on the Stephen King novel of the same name.
The cast: Anthony Michael Hall (The Breakfast Club), Nicole deBoer, John L. Adams.
The backing: The first season launched last June on USA Network (not available on Canadian cable), and became the top-rated basic cable drama series among U.S. adults 18 to 49. Produced by Lions Gate Television and Paramount International Television in association with Michael Piller and The Segan Company.
The verdict: Treutler says The Dead Zone will attract a very niche audience and that it won’t likely compete much with other network offerings, since this time-slot usually offers up Law & Order-type programming.
