Reality Rumors

Fox has announced that The Next Great American Band, the network’s new American Idol-like reality competition series will premiere with a special two-hour episode on Friday, October 19 at 8PM ET/PT

The Next Great American Band will scour the country for musical groups of all ages, styles and genres, and following a round of auditions, yet-to-be-announced judges will whittle the hopefuls to 10 semifinalists who will then have the opportunity to perform in-front of a live studio audience.

Home viewers will be able to vote for their favorite acts each week, as each band will perform either original music or covers of varied styles designed to challenge their musical abilities as well as their relationships. The Top 3 acts will then compete against one another for a recording contract during The Next Great American Band’s finale.

Fox has announced that The Search for the Next Great American Band, the network’s new recently announced American Idol-like reality competition series that will do just what its overly wordy title implies, will debut as part of the network’s Fall 2007 primetime programming schedule. 

The Search for the Next Great American Band was created by Simon Fuller and is being produced by FreemantleMedia North America and Fuller’s 19 Entertainment, the same companies behind both American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance.  Fuller and Idol executive producers Nigel Lythgoe, Ken Warwick and Cecile Frot-Coutaz will also serve as executive producers for the new show.

“I’ll throw my hat in the ring with the producers from American Idol any day of the week,” Fox Entertainment President Peter Liguori told reporters during a Thursday conference call in which the network unveiled its 2007-2008 primetime programming schedule.  “These guys know how to produce great live television.”

American Band will air Fridays at 8PM ET/PT preceeding another new reality series Nashville.