The TV Zone

Here's a reasonably big piece o' news that I just got an official confirmation on: Janet Jackson will host and produce one of those music reality comps for MTV. (Variety first had the story this morning and says it'll help kick off JJ's world tour which begins Sept. 10.)

In any event, I just spoke with Dave Broome - yes, he's also the show boss of "The Biggest Loser" - and he told me much more. But first: The show, still untitled, will have a casting call in New York on July 5 and 6, in Manhattan at the Sheraton on 7th and 53rd. Auditions are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the 5th, and then call-backs will take place on the 6th.

Here's what Dave says about Jackson's new show: "She seeded the idea [and] it's 'how do you find that super star - the Janet Jackson, the Usher, Justin Timberlake, that one person who can do it all, sing dance, and act, and has that one superstar ability....If I were looking for a logline, it'd be 'from the street to the superstar,' or how do you find that person in the local community, at the local Y, or gym, who's never gotten a chance or doesn't have the means to take a singing lesson. It's a very 'to the people' street feel.

"If you have to sing from the rooftop of a car...that's the type of challenge we're going to end up doing. It's going to feel very cool and gritty, with a real cool street vibe, and every challenge will have a different backdrop."

It'll be shot in L.A.

Janet?

"She's a mentor in the series, helping critique and pick and select and offer advice to each one of these potential candidates...tell you what you're doing right and doing wrong, and [will help] select [the winner.]"

Airdate? This fall.