HOW ABOUT MUSIC TELEVISION!?
The WB Network, home to "Buffy The Vampire Slayer," "Charmed" and "Sabrina The Teenage Witch"—three shows that we watch just for the plots—is producing two new music-based shows.
"Popstars," not to be confused with "Popular," was announced as a midseason replacement show today by WB Television Network bigwig Susanne Daniels, London/Sire Records President/CEO Peter Koepke and Chairman Seymour Stein, Scott A. Stone and David G. Stanley of Stone Stanley Entertainment. It will debut Jan 12, following "Sabrina," with a nationwide search to find five girls and conclude with a concert by the group. Along the way, it will focus on the creation and progress of an all-female pop group. A version of "Popstars" was very popular in Australia—but then, so is vegemite.
In the role of Lou Mann will be big-time producer and Tonos co-founder David Foster. He will help pick the women for the group and "shepherd" them through the recording process of their debut album. London/Sire, in a pact with Foster's 143 Records, will release the group's record in April. Songwriters set to, um, write songs for the group are Diane Warren, Anders Bagge, Richard Marx, Steve Kipner & David Frank and Eric Foster White. Direct Management Group will consult with Stone Stanley on the project. Now all they need is a name and some merch.
The second music series hitting the WB's line-up is an untitled show created by Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett about four models turned rock stars. Costello will write a song for each episode. It will debut next fall. We'll be happy to help with the nationwide search for the leads.
In related news, the Backstreet Boys will be on a rerun of "Sabrina" tonight at 8:30: "Sabrina and her friends become instant celebrities when they win a battle-of-the-bands competition by drinking a potion she created. Unfortunately, an innocent group of guys (guest stars the Backstreet Boys) get hold of her potion themselves." Call me and we'll watch it together.
