A SMASHING NEW SHOW ON TAP

Smash, the first primetime network TV pop-music performance show in decades, hits the WB airwaves July 16 with an opening night lineup of Evanescence, Monica, Black-Eyed Peas and The Ataris. The Pepsi-sponsored series will feature a new host every week, including WB TV and film star Amanda Bynes, American Pie’s Alyson Hannigan and four other young celebs, who will be announced next week.

The program, executive-produced and directed by Tenth Planet’s Joel Gallen, will tape the week prior to broadcast on a specially designed two-stage, in-the-round setup at Hollywood’s Ren-Mar Studios in front of a studio audience of about 600, culled from the featured performers’ fan sites and via local radio promotions and giveaways.

Each installment of Smash will feature four high-profile performers playing one or two songs apiece, plus one buzzing up-and-coming act that may very well be getting its first national TV exposure. There’ll also be a music-chart countdown and artist interviews.

“We’re creating an event every week that people will want to attend in person,” says Gallen.

And not all the action will take place on camera. The backstage area will boast a special green room VIP “Smash Bar,” the setting for an exclusive weekly backstage party for the artists, their friends and various A-listers.

“I’m thrilled with the industry’s response to the show so far,” adds Gallen. “I think we have a strong lineup, and we appreciate the continued support of the labels. Plus, it keeps my mind off how bad the Detroit Tigers are.”

The show will be telecast Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EDT/ PDT. At presstime, talks were underway with the WB for repeat airings on Sunday nights.

The schedule so far:

• July 16 (tapes 7/9): Evanescence, Monica, Black Eyed Peas, The Ataris, Gavin DeGraw
• July 23 (tapes 7/15): Beyoncé, Queens of the Stone Age, Trapt
• July 30 (tapes 7/22): Michelle Branch, Simple Plan, Chingy, Interpol
• Aug. 6 (tape date 7/29): Foo Fighters, Mya, Jason Mraz, Pharrell w/Clipse & Neptunes
• Aug. 13 (tapes 8/5): Jack Johnson and Rooney
• Aug. 20 (tapes 8/12): Fabolous, Lil Mo, The All-American Rejects