The TV Zone

What did I think of "Nashville Star," now in the big house? I'm so glad you asked. What I saw of it was not bad, though one is reminded of the oldest Fred Allen phrase of them all, that imitation is indeed the sincerest form of television. I rarely paid attention during the USA years, but Lord, this show has stolen virtually every single element from "Idol" that it could possibly steal without committing grand larceny (which then would, like, forcing Jeff Zucker before a congressional panel that would wonder how one network could steal from another network so brazenly without triggering some sort of trademark infringement...)

In any event, who cares about that. Jewel? I imagine she was better as a host as opposed to a judge - seemed constitutionally incapable of criticism. John Rich? When he called someone "pitchy," I thought, "hmmm, where have I heard that before..." Jeffrey Steele? Separated at birth from Richard Branson. Billy Ray Cyrus? Thinking to himself, "will this help sell tickets to the movie?"

But here's the reason for this blog entry (and you were wondering, weren't you?) Could "Star" be the first hit of the summer season, and on lowly NBC at that? NBC has already set up a conference call with ejectee Charley Jenkins (above) later this morning. Networks don't do that unless they get a lot of interest from the press - which is more often than not the Internet press, which sometimes knows first-hand what readers/viewers are into.

However....fffffppppttttttt. That's my approximation in print of air going out of "Nashville's" balloon. Fox - which has reason to dismiss this show - just sent out ratings which proclaim "NS" the network's lowest reality launch in THREE years, getting just over a two rating among young adults.