'Nashville Star' viewers love, hate new season on NBC
By BEVERLY KEEL
Readers quickly responded to my request for their reviews of Monday-night television talent search show Nashville Star since it moved to NBC this season from USA Network.
Jay NaPier says, "Here's what got better: The videos of the contestants working with the judges — great to see what goes on from the inside. What's missing? The band! The band has gotten little attention, and they are a huge part of why the show is a success. The talent is very good and shows what Nashville has to offer."
Sherry Bellenfant says, "I love the variety of it. There's every age, style and ethnic group (unlike American Idol that only allows them to be a certain age). ... But the very best thing I enjoy is my favorite guy, Billy Ray (Cyrus), being the host."
Charlotte and Ray Charleston say, "It looks better because NBC obviously gives them a bigger budget. The studio audience however is not a fair representation of a real country audience. We have several friends (young and attractive), who are paid $40 to attend the tapings. C'mon, NBC, quit trying to make country look like something it's not."
The Charlestons give high marks to co-host Katie Cook, but low marks to Billy Ray. They really like judges Jewel and Jeffrey Steele but can't stand John Rich. "We're really tired of his arrogance and pompous attitude."
Larry Arnkoff says, "This show is a terrible disappointment rivaling ABC's disaster of a few years ago called The One. The only value this show has now is to see what depths it will sink to. There is not one finalist on this show who shows any professional talent level. … Considering the talent pool available and the selections made and considering this is supposed to be about country music and the finalists are performing 'N Sync songs with God-awful attempts at dancing, there is little doubt that the producers have failed miserably."
Stephen Coffman says, "Keep it country! The attempt to introduce rock into the country genre is a mistake."
Lisa Chapman is now embarrassed to watch it with her son. "The sexual innuendo comments by John Rich along with the music guests (i.e., Danity Kane) are no longer deemed appropriate for family viewing."
Like Lisa, Linda Wilson wants the old Nashville Star back. "This season should be called Nashville Idol. The show is nothing like it used to be, and that is so sad. This season just a couple of the contestants are country singers, and they are not even singing country songs. (It's) so sad that Nashville Star had to go commercial instead of staying to the Nashville roots."
Lebanon's Dina Bozsoki likes Jeffrey and Jewel but thinks John likes to hear himself talk. "Billy Ray, who looked so comfortable on the first show, now seems wooden, like someone has told him not to stand too close to the contestants. The good far outweighs the few negatives, and Nashville Star shines."
C. McCombs says, "Two of the three (judges) are obviously using this to promote their own music careers and they come off so self-indulgent. Please bring back last year's judging panel!"
Kentucky's Janice Sutton doesn't like the show's set, which "is just too dark, and it does not offer the best presentation of the young performers or of the judges."
Producer/songwriter Rand Bishop says the show is "a cringing embarrassment to Music City." He finds fault with the contestants' vocal ability and the show's production, including "background dancers who only serve to remind the viewer that these 'singers' couldn't hold an audience's attention for a full 90 seconds without the assistance of cheese and flash."
Christina Callas says, "They searched the U.S. and that's the best unsigned talent? There are better musicians in the bars around here who don't get chosen. Why is that? Why are so many teens on the show? Is it easier to groom them? Is it rigged?"
Harry and Frances Date say, "Being on a major network this year, Nashville Star had a wonderful opportunity to show the world the greatness of country music. They failed.
"Want to see and hear some stars? Visit a few demo sessions in Nashville. Every demo singer we know has more talent than anybody on the show."
'Nashville Star' viewers love, hate new season on NBC | www.tennessean.com | The Tennessean